Renita Holmes

Renita Holmes is an American housing activist. She runs consulting practice OUR Homes, specializing in issues related to African-American and inner-city women.[1]

Early life

Holmes was raised by a single mother with 11 children.[1][2] She was raised in foster care, where she experienced and witnessed abuse. She began a landscaping company as a teenager, later hiring formerly incarcerated women.[3]

Career and activism

Holmes lives in Little Haiti, Miami, where rent has been raising due to rising sea levels.[1][2] She calls this climate gentrification, in which the poor are pushed out by the rich for climate reasons.[2]

Holmes runs business and property consulting practice OUR Homes and campaigns for housing rights for marginalized communities.[1][4] She also helps local housing agencies on issues related to African-American and inner-city women.[1] Holmes's work and other activism frequently bring her into conflict with the Miami government and leadership, and has reportedly included physical altercations.[5][6]

In 2016, Holmes was honored by the Miami Commission for risking her life to save a teenager injured by a bullet.[5]

In 2020, a video of Holmes hugging a police officer during the George Floyd protests went viral.[7]

Holmes is a fellow of Cleo Institute's Empowering Resilient Women program.[8]

In 2023, she was named on the BBC's 100 Women list as one of the world's inspiring and influential women.[1]

Personal life

Holmes is a senior living with disabilities.[1]

Holmes lost a child to gun violence.[9]

References

1. "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
2. "When sea levels rise, so does your rent". BBC News. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
3. "'Solidarity, not charity': On the front lines of climate change in Florida, women leaders address environmental justice risks". The CLEO Institute. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
4. Orrell, Harriet; Zuo, Natalia (2023-11-28). "When sea levels rise, so does your rent". BBC.
5. "Miami commissioners honor a life-saver". The Miami Times. 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
6. Bilali, K. Barrett (2018-07-11). "Community meeting turns into all out melee". The Miami Times. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
7. Livingston, Layron; Torres, Andrea (2020-06-02). "Miami inner-city activist on going viral: 'Don't let a hug fool you'". WPLG. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
8. "Finding Power in a 'Toxic Environment': A Lifelong Miami Activist's Story". The CLEO Institute. 2021-09-30. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
9. "Community activists, parents rally to call out gun violence following shooting near Miami Northwestern Senior High School". WSVN 7News. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-02-09.