BLM Oklahoma City Leader Charged with Embezzling $3.15 Million in Fraud Scheme

Federal prosecutors have charged Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, the 52-year-old executive director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City (BLM OKC), with wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly diverting more than $3.15 million in returned bail funds to her personal accounts over a five-year period.

According to the indictment unsealed Thursday, Dickerson redirected money intended for the organization’s bail fund and social justice programs between June 2020 and October 2025. Prosecutors allege she used these funds for personal expenses, including international travel to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, extensive retail shopping, over $50,000 in food deliveries, a vehicle purchase, and the acquisition of six real estate properties.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that BLM OKC raised more than $5.6 million beginning in 2020, receiving substantial grants from several organizations including the Community Justice Exchange, the Massachusetts Bail Fund, and the Minnesota Freedom Fund.

Most funds were channeled through the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ), which acted as BLM OKC’s fiscal sponsor. As such, AFGJ required that all money be used exclusively for tax-exempt purposes permitted under Section 501(c)(3) regulations. The organization specifically prohibited real estate purchases without prior approval and mandated full accounting of expenditures when requested.

Despite these restrictions, prosecutors claim Dickerson deposited at least $3.15 million in returned bail checks into her personal accounts rather than the organization’s accounts. The indictment further alleges she used interstate wires to submit two misleading annual reports to AFGJ, falsely claiming the organization’s funds were used solely for tax-exempt purposes while concealing her personal use of the money.

The alleged misconduct began during a period when national bail funds allowed BLM OKC to retain portions of returned bail money to establish a revolving bail fund and support its stated mission. Dickerson, who has served as the group’s executive director since at least 2016, had access to BLM OKC’s bank accounts and payment platforms, including PayPal and CashApp.

This case emerges against the backdrop of previous controversies involving Black Lives Matter-affiliated organizations. In 2022, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation—an entity separate from and not affiliated with BLM OKC—faced scrutiny after reports revealed it had purchased a $6 million California property using donor funds. That situation sparked widespread debate about financial transparency and oversight within national BLM-associated organizations.

When contacted regarding Dickerson’s charges, a spokesperson for the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation emphasized their organizational structure: “The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation operates independently from local chapters, and the local chapters operate independently of the Foundation. The Foundation remains committed to transparency and integrity, and disrupting what philanthropy looks like in service of Black people.”

A federal grand jury returned a 25-count indictment on December 3, charging Dickerson with 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. If convicted, she faces significant legal consequences—up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years for each money-laundering count. Additionally, she could face fines of up to $250,000 per charge.

The case results from a joint investigation by the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office and IRS Criminal Investigation. Under the legal system, Dickerson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

This case highlights ongoing challenges within the nonprofit sector regarding financial accountability, especially for organizations that experienced rapid growth and substantial funding increases during periods of heightened social activism. It also underscores the importance of transparent financial controls and proper governance structures for organizations managing significant donor contributions.