Patrisse Cullors, a New York Times best-selling author, artist, abolitionist, educator, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, will present a talk at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Cullors will discuss her new book, “An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Changing Yourself and the World.”

Named in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020, Cullors is one of the country’s most powerful voices in activism, working for criminal justice and prison reform, and calling for an economy of care that ensures “every human and living being has the care they need.”

Yet, on her website, patrissecullors.com, the 38-year-old describes herself simply as a mother, author, educator, artist and abolitionist, belying her long list of accomplishments as a change-maker.

Her activism began at age 18, as a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Bus Riders Union. In 2013, she coined #BlackLivesMatter and co-founded Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF), after the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Cullors now serves as the faculty director at Arizona’s Prescott College, where she established the Social and Environmental Arts Practice MFA program, which focuses on the intersection of art, social justice and community organizing. She also creates performance art pieces, produces for TV and film, and is working with Warner Brothers on multi-platform programs showcasing the perspectives of Black culture in America.

While on Vashon, Cullors will also lead an assembly for Vashon Island School District students, ages 13 and older, and also create a new art installation on VCA’s campus.

Find more information and tickets to Cullors’ talk on April 8, visit vashoncenterforthearts.org.