Biography
Raquel Wilson’s love for all things cultural, matched with her activist spirit make her a secret weapon in a time of creative idea exploration and a growing surge of international social consciousness. An artist and social anthropologist, she harbors a passion for creating opportunities that give the “underdog” a chance at success.
“It is important to me that the playing field is equal for everyone - regardless of gender, race, religion, culture or class.”
Instrumental in the development of several programs that span many industries, Raquel is responsible for the founding of VERBALISMS, a print and online magazine focused on women in hip-hop; ISIS, a support group for African-American women; and CLASS, a peer mentoring program for first generation college students studying at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis.
Not one to turn away from opportunity, Raquel has also served as Project Coordinator for the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative, contributed timely editorial to the UNICEF global website and was personally requested by U.S. State Department Hip-Hop Ambassador and Cultural Envoy Toni Blackman to design a curriculum that encourages self-confidence and healthy lifestyle choices among adolescent girls.
Raquel freelances as an independent consultant developing cross-cultural art and leadership programs that empower youth, particularly young women and girls.
As the Event Curator for TEDxYouthInspire, Raquel was responsible for planning and coordinating the first TEDx event exclusively for young people on the African continent. An open space for young visionaries to collaborate and reevaluate the possibilities of creating a better worldwide community, the conference was host to over 100 youth in Accra, Ghana.
Dedicated to leaving a sustainable legacy that will dramatically change the standard of living for the world’s women and girls, Raquel has created an international program focused on allowing young women and girls, across six continents, to become leaders and catalysts for communal transformation. Through Dream the Planet, participants will work together, using video conferencing technology and online collaboration tools, to find solutions for common social issues.
A champion for children everywhere, Raquel has finished writing her first book, Because I Went Parasailing, an inspirational story of achievement for young people.