A former Black Lives Matter leader in Oklahoma City is now facing serious federal charges after prosecutors accused her of diverting millions of dollars meant for racial justice efforts into her own pocket.
Federal authorities say the case centers on more than $3 million allegedly misused over several years, money that was raised during one of the most intense periods of protest and public trust in recent history.
Federal Indictment Details Emerge
A federal grand jury has indicted Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, the former executive director of Black Lives Matter in Oklahoma City, according to prosecutors.
Dickerson, 52, was charged this week with a total of 25 counts. Those include 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Robert Troester said.
The charges mark a dramatic fall for a figure who once stood at the center of local racial justice organizing.
Allegations of Misused Authority
Prosecutors allege Dickerson exploited her leadership role to gain control of the organization’s financial channels. According to the indictment, she accessed Black Lives Matter OKC’s bank accounts, as well as PayPal and Cash App accounts.
From there, investigators say, she systematically diverted donations and grant funds for personal use.
However, the organization itself was not a registered tax-exempt nonprofit. Instead, it operated under a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the Arizona-based Alliance for Global Justice. That arrangement required all funds to be used strictly for approved charitable purposes and fully documented.
Millions Raised During 2020 Protests
Beginning in late spring 2020, prosecutors said Black Lives Matter OKC raised more than $5.6 million from online donors and national bail organizations.
Those donors included the Community Justice Exchange, the Massachusetts Bail Fund, and the Minnesota Freedom Fund.
The money was intended to post bail for individuals arrested during racial justice protests following the death of George Floyd. In some cases, the funds were meant to create a revolving bail fund or support broader social justice efforts, all within the boundaries of federal tax law.
Where the Money Allegedly Went
According to the indictment, that money did not stay where donors believed it would.
Between June 2020 and at least October 2025, prosecutors allege Dickerson deposited at least $3.15 million in returned bail checks into her personal accounts rather than organizational ones.
Investigators say the funds were then used for a range of personal expenses. These included recreational travel to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic for Dickerson and her associates, tens of thousands of dollars spent on retail shopping, and at least $50,000 on food and grocery deliveries for herself and her children.
Authorities also allege the money paid for a personal vehicle registered in her name and helped finance the purchase of six properties in Oklahoma City.
Real Estate and Shell Companies
Those properties, prosecutors say, were deeded either directly to Dickerson or to Equity International LLC.
The indictment claims that entity was exclusively controlled by Dickerson, raising further questions about how donor funds were allegedly laundered through business structures.
False Reports Alleged
The case does not stop at spending allegations.
Prosecutors also allege Dickerson submitted false annual reports to the Alliance for Global Justice using interstate communications. Those reports reportedly claimed that all funds were used solely for tax-exempt purposes.
At the same time, investigators say, the reports failed to disclose extensive personal spending tied to the organization’s accounts.
Potential Prison Time Ahead
If convicted, Dickerson faces severe penalties.
Each wire fraud count carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Each money laundering count carries up to 10 years. Significant fines could also be imposed.
As the case moves forward, it raises uncomfortable questions about oversight, trust, and accountability during a moment when millions of Americans opened their wallets in support of racial justice causes.
