Anielle Franco has served as Minister of Racial Equality in the Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva administration since 2023 and is one of the leading voices advocating for human rights, Black youth, and women in the country. With a degree in journalism and a career marked by her work on social and educational projects, she gained national prominence by continuing the legacy of her sister, City Councilwoman Marielle Franco, in mobilizing for justice and public policies aimed at racial equity. As founder of the Marielle Franco Institute, Anielle has established herself in the fight against structural racism and in promoting opportunities for historically marginalized populations. In the federal government, she has led initiatives to strengthen racial equality policies, broadening the debate on representation, memory, and reparations in Brazil.
Major recognitions and awards:
• Selected as a Ford Global Fellow by the Ford Foundation, an international program that supports global leaders (2021).
• Named one of Time magazine’s 12 Women of the Year in 2023, an international recognition of her influence and work for racial equality and social justice.
• She was also recognized by Time 100 Next, a list highlighting the most influential people of the new global generation.
• Named among the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), holding a prominent position for her work in combating racism and promoting human rights.
Official honors:
• She received the Grand Cross of the Order of Rio Branco, one of the highest honors granted by the Brazilian government for outstanding service to diplomacy and the promotion of Brazil abroad (2023).