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me too. International Launches Disruptors Council to Address Sexual Violence Crisis with Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Ayanna Pressley, and more

October 15, 2025 • Star-studded council of influential changemakers assembled to disrupt mainstream conversation around sexual violence and drive solutions as movement approaches historic 10th anniversary

For Immediate Release

NEW YORK (October 15, 2025) – Today, ‘me too.’ International co-founder Tarana Burke has announced the launch of the Disruptors Council, bringing together Academy Award winner Viola Davis, Congresswoman Ayanna Presley, New York Times best-selling author and actress Gabrielle Union and other influential voices to drive the next decade of systemic transformation in how society prevents and responds to sexual violence.

The Disruptors Council represents a significant evolution in collective action against sexual violence, uniting diverse changemakers who understand that ending this global crisis requires challenging the systems, policies, and cultural norms that allow it to flourish. With 1 in 3 women experiencing gender-based violence during their lifetime, the council aims to continue and elevate the work of ‘me too.’ International by shifting the narrative around sexual violence from being seen as an intractable problem to a solvable public health crisis. 

“We’re at a pivotal moment. Recent high-profile cases have once again made clear just how prevalent sexual violence still is,” said Tarana Burke, co-founder of ‘me too.’ International. “The Disruptors Council represents what we’ve always believed: that real change happens when we work together to address the systems that allow sexual violence to persist, not just respond to its effects. Sexual violence is solvable when we bring this conversation into mainstream culture and treat prevention as a shared responsibility.”

Disruptors Council members include:

  • Ai-jen Poo – Executive Director, Caring Across Generations + President, National Domestic Workers Alliance
  • Ayanna Pressley – U.S. Representative of Massachusetts
  • Bevy Smith – Media Personality, Author & Actress
  • Breanna Stewart – Forward, New York Liberty (WNBA)
  • Cliff Albright – Co-founder and Executive Director, Black Voters Matter Fund
  • Gabrielle Union – Actress, producer, and NYT best-selling author
  • India Arie – Singer and Artist
  • Jessie Woo – TV Host, Actress, Singer, Creator
  • Kier Gaines – Licensed Therapist and Professional Speaker
  • Marley Dias – Activist, Author, Producer, Creator of #1000BlackGirlBooks
  • Michelle Buteau – Actress, producer and writer
  • Padma Lakshmi – Emmy-nominated producer, television host, and a New York Times best-selling author
  • Samantha Barry – Global Editorial Director + Editor-in-Chief, Glamour 
  • Viola Davis – Artist and activist

These council members will serve as public-facing champions who elevate messages through their personal platforms and drive thought leadership within their networks, bringing conversations about prevention and solutions into mainstream popular culture. By assembling influential changemakers into a unified council, ‘me too.’ International is scaling its impact to address this urgent but solvable crisis affecting millions globally.

“I raise my hand as a survivor and the daughter of a survivor,” said Viola Davis, artist and activist. “I raise my hand to be seen and to break the silence and invisibility of sexual assault…to destroy the stigma, the shame and reclaim our worth. I’m proud to be a disruptor.”

“I speak up because change starts with raising our voices and standing for what’s right,” said Gabrielle Union, actress, producer, and NYT best-selling author. “I disrupt by challenging the status quo in ways that create opportunity, understanding, and progress for everyone.”

“As a mother and survivor, I am compelled to improve how girls and women are treated in our society, and to eradicate sexual harassment and assault, and to make it easier – not only for others to speak out and be duly supported, but also for our communities to work together to end sexual violence,” said Padma Lakshmi, Emmy-nominated TV host and New York Times best-selling author.

As ‘me too.’ International approaches its 10th anniversary in 2027 and continues to expand internationally, the organization will work to reach new audiences and shift cultural conversations beyond traditional advocacy circles, leveraging the collective influence of the Disruptors Council to drive systemic change.

To learn more about the Disruptors Council, please visit metoomvmt.org/disruptorscouncil.

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