Oraia Reid

Oraia Reid is a dynamic social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience dedicated to empowering communities on behalf of LGBTQ, socio/political justice, women’s rights, with a focus on direct services to eradicate sexual assault.

She is the Executive Director of RightRides for Women’s Safety, an award-winning New York City nonprofit she co-founded in 2004, whose mission is to create safer communities by eliminating sexual harassment and assault. Through direct services, safety education, leveraging mobile platforms and advocacy efforts, RightRides for Women’s Safety is a recognized leader in fostering grassroots responses to address gender-based violence.

Oraia’s related nonprofit experience includes consulting and staff training for nonprofits regarding organizational development, special event planning and outreach coordination for various arts-based, low-income, LGBTQ, and/or anti-violence organizations. She regularly speaks for panels and workshops regarding her work as a young activist. She spoke most recently at The National Sexual Assault Conference in Washington, DC and also at V-Day’s 10th Anniversary event (V TO THE TENTH) in New Orleans, Louisiana on a panel titled “Ordinary Activists Doing Extraordinary Things”.

Her education includes Harvard University Business School’s certificate in Performance Measurement for Effective Management of Nonprofit Organizations and Columbia Business School’s Institute for Not-For-Profit Management certificate of Middle Management, and Personal Leadership. Oraia is a Junior Fellow at the Nonprofit Leadership Development Institute at the United Way of New York City, 2007.

Under her direction RightRides for Women’s Safety has received several civic awards including the Union Square Award, Stonewall Honors, Rising Star Award from The New York Women’s Agenda, the Susan B. Anthony Award from the NYC Chapter of the National Organization for Women, the Pacesetter Award from NYC Council Member Diana Reyna, a Mayoral Proclamation, “RightRides for Women’s Safety Day” from Mayor Bloomberg, and “New Yorkers of the Week” from NY 1 News. Recently, Oraia was recognized by Brooklyn District Attorney's office as one of "Brooklyn's Extraordinary Women of 2010" as well as Women's eNews "21 Leaders for the 21st Century".

Oraia has been featured in The New York Times, Fox, ABC, Good Day New York, Air America, 1010WINS, in addition to international media coverage in Japan, Germany, Brazil, Spain, and many more. Follow Oraia on Twitter @oraia_reid.