Digital Strategist & Storyteller; Head of U.S. Activism at Ben & Jerry's; Expert in Media-Driven Advocacy
Palika Makam Biography
Palika Makam is a digital strategist, storyteller, and social justice advocate who serves as the head of U.S. activism at Ben & Jerry's. Makam has over 10 years of experience leading creative and strategic advocacy campaigns focused on racial, immigrant, and criminal justice. Her work centers on decarceration efforts in jails, prisons, and deportation centers, operating at the intersection of media, technology, and human rights within the field of corporate activism.
Makam's career includes roles across the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Ben & Jerry's, she worked at the 8th Amendment Project, an anti-death penalty organization; Color of Change, a Black-led digital advocacy organization focused on racial justice; and international human rights organization WITNESS, where she developed programs to expose police violence and deportations and piloted a legal video advocacy initiative that contributed to the release of 50 individuals. She has produced video advocacy campaigns and trained activists globally in using video as a tool for justice, with experience spanning locations from Ferguson to Palestine.
Earlier in her career, Makam co-founded and managed the Babel Project, a youth media organization that trained young activists to use documentary video for advocacy. Films produced through the Babel Project have been used in human rights court cases in South Africa, screened at the United Nations for International Day of Migration, and served as educational tools for families and classrooms addressing police violence in Ferguson, Missouri, and beyond.
At Ben & Jerry's, Makam has led campaigns that integrate the brand's identity with social advocacy. She has developed partnerships with organizations such as Black Voters Matter to engage voters on issues including climate change, reproductive rights, and democracy. Makam also launched "A Party for Protest Rights," featuring the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International USA, and Slow Factory, to equip activists with knowledge and resources to exercise free speech and protest rights. Her advocacy includes work on cannabis justice, promoting expungement, clemency, and addressing systemic racism in arrests of communities of color.
Makam holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and social and cultural analysis from New York University and a Master of Arts in international affairs with a concentration in human rights and media from The New School. As a keynote speaker, she addresses topics such as civil rights, modern media, social activism, social justice, and storytelling. Her career demonstrates the impact of combining creative communication with advocacy across industries.
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What topics does Palika Makam speak about?
Palika Makam is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Anti-Racism, Civil Rights, DEI, Disruptive Thinking, Diversity & Inclusion, Hospitality, Modern Media, Social Activism, Social Justice, Storytelling, Thought Leadership -
Where does Palika Makam travel from?
Palika Makam generally travels from Brooklyn, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
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Palika Makam is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Palika Makam for your event is available upon request. Palika Makam generally travels from Brooklyn, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Karen Palmer, Natalie Chou, Bonny P. McClain, Aditi Mayer and Nicole Jain. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Palika Makam for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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