Naomi Wadler, the Ethiopian Jewish activist whose poignant speech at the 2018 March for Our Lives rally catapulted her into the national spotlight at just 11 years old, has become a symbol of unflinching courage and intersectional advocacy.
Born in Addis Ababa and adopted into a family in Alexandria, Virginia, Naomi’s voice—small in stature but seismic in power—demanded attention to the often-overlooked Black female victims of gun violence, declaring, “I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper.” That moment, delivered amid a sea of 800,000 protesters in Washington, D.C., not only amplified erased narratives but also ignited a broader conversation on racial justice within the gun reform movement.
Now 19 in 2025, Naomi has evolved from child prodigy to a seasoned speaker, journalist, and advocate, hosting her own web series, DiversiTEA with Naomi Wadler, and gracing stages from the Tribeca Film Festival to the Women in the World Summit. Her journey, marked by a Bat Mitzvah celebration blending Jewish tradition with activist fire, reflects a profound intersectionality—navigating her Black and Jewish identities amid discrimination and public scrutiny.
As a motivational speaker and budding reporter, Naomi’s eloquence has earned her the Disruptive Innovation Award, a standing ovation from Serena Williams, and features in Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21. Yet, beneath the accolades lies a young woman grappling with the weight of fame, the toll of activism, and a commitment to self-care amid burnout. This comprehensive biography delves into Naomi Wadler’s age, family roots, educational path, the seismic spark of her March for Our Lives moment, her net worth, awards, and her evolving role in 2025, chronicling a life that began with a walkout and continues to demand justice, proving that even the youngest voices can echo through history.
Early Life and Family Background
Naomi Wadler entered the world on October 16, 2006, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a city pulsing with the rhythms of ancient history and modern resilience. At just 10 months old, she was adopted by Julie Wadler, a white Jewish Republican fundraiser and event planner from Alexandria, Virginia, who had built a career in political communications before embracing motherhood. Julie, who had worked for GOP candidates and the National Republican Congressional Committee, transitioned to her own business, channeling her organizational prowess into family life. In 2009, the Wadler family expanded when Julie adopted Naomi’s younger sister, Sarah, also from Ethiopia, creating a sisterhood bound by shared journeys of adoption and discovery.
Into this tapestry stepped Monte Ivey, Naomi’s father figure, who entered their lives in 2008 after meeting Julie online. A 58-year-old African American man with a passion for hunting and a steady presence, Monte provided the grounding influence Naomi needed, offering a Black paternal perspective in a predominantly white Jewish household.
The family settled in Alexandria, a historic Virginia suburb where cherry blossoms bloom along the Potomac, and Naomi attended George Mason Elementary School, a diverse community that became her first classroom in navigating identity. Here, amid playground games and classroom debates, Naomi confronted the complexities of being Black and Jewish—a duality that brought joy in Hanukkah celebrations and challenges in facing racial microaggressions from peers who questioned her “realness” in both worlds.
Family life was a blend of structure and warmth: Julie’s political savvy influenced dinner-table discussions on current events, while Monte’s outdoor adventures taught Naomi the value of resilience in nature’s unforgiving embrace. Sarah, Naomi’s constant companion, shared in the sister’s adventures, from backyard fort-building to joint activism planning.
Holidays wove Jewish traditions with Ethiopian cultural touches—Passover seders infused with injera and stories of Naomi’s birth country—fostering a rich, if complex, identity. Naomi has spoken candidly about these dynamics, noting in a 2019 Washingtonian interview, “Being Black and Jewish means I’ve faced discrimination from both sides, but it also means I see the world through multiple lenses—that’s my superpower.” This early life, a mosaic of adoption, love, and cultural fusion, equipped Naomi with the empathy and fire that would define her activism, turning a child’s questions into a movement’s thunder.
Naomi Wadler Age and Height
As of October 20, 2025, Naomi Wadler is 19 years old, having celebrated her 19th birthday just four days prior on October 16. A Libra, Naomi embodies the sign’s diplomatic grace and unyielding pursuit of balance, qualities that shine in her nuanced advocacy for intersectional justice. Standing at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm), her height lends her a poised, approachable presence that belies the weight of her words—eyes sparkling with determination, a smile that disarms skeptics, and a posture honed by years of standing tall against adversity.
Whether wrapped in her iconic orange scarf—knitted by her aunt as a symbol of gun violence awareness—or dressed in vibrant prints that honor her Ethiopian roots, Naomi’s style reflects her multifaceted identity: bold, cultural, and unapologetically fierce. At 19, she navigates the cusp of young adulthood with the wisdom of someone who’s already reshaped conversations, her physical and emotional stature a testament to growth forged in fire.
Education and Academic Journey
Naomi Wadler’s educational path is a testament to her precocity and passion for learning, blending rigorous academics with the unscripted curriculum of activism. She began her schooling at George Mason Elementary in Alexandria, Virginia, a diverse public institution where her intellectual curiosity blossomed amid multicultural classrooms. It was here, in fifth grade, that Naomi first confronted the inequities of education—not in policy debates, but in the pages of her reading list, dominated by tales of white protagonists that left her feeling invisible. Undeterred, she channeled this into action, organizing her first walkout in March 2018, rallying 200 classmates for 18 minutes of silence: 17 for Parkland’s victims, one for Courtlin Arrington, a Black teen slain in Alabama.
Transitioning to Imogene Gideon Middle School, Naomi navigated the turbulent waters of adolescence with a maturity beyond her years, her activism earning her both admiration and isolation. Peers whispered about the “famous kid,” while teachers marveled at her eloquence, assigning her to lead discussions on social justice. The school’s supportive environment, coupled with family guidance, allowed Naomi to excel academically—acing history and English while honing her public speaking through debate club. Yet, education’s true forge was her lived experience; the March for Our Lives rally, where she became the youngest speaker at 11, taught her more about rhetoric and resilience than any textbook.
High school at T.C. Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School) marked a pivotal chapter, where Naomi balanced AP courses in literature and government with a burgeoning media career. Her schedule—debate practice, essay writing for Teen Vogue, and speeches at the Women in the World Summit—demanded fierce time management, often sustained by late-night study sessions in her room, illuminated by the glow of her laptop. Teachers noted her “old soul” depth, assigning her to mentor younger students on civic engagement. By graduation in 2023 at age 17, Naomi had not only aced her SATs but also penned op-eds for Rolling Stone, her essays dissecting the intersection of race, gender, and gun violence with scholarly precision.
In fall 2023, Naomi enrolled at Harvard University as a freshman, majoring in sociology with a concentration in social studies, drawn to the Ivy’s resources for unpacking systemic inequities. Cambridge’s hallowed halls became her new classroom, where seminars on critical race theory and public policy echoed her lived fire. As a sophomore in 2025, at 19, Naomi balances rigorous coursework with selective activism, her dorm a hub for book clubs discussing Audre Lorde and bell hooks.
Professors praise her “activist scholarship,” integrating her March for Our Lives experience into theses on youth mobilization. Extracurriculars include Harvard’s Black Students Association and literary magazine contributions, where her pieces blend memoir with manifesto. “Harvard challenges assumptions,” Naomi shared in a 2024 Globe interview, “but my real professors were Parkland and the streets.” Her education, a fusion of ivory tower intellect and street-forged wisdom, equips her to bridge academia and action, turning knowledge into a weapon for justice.
The Spark of Activism: From Walkout to March for Our Lives
Naomi Wadler’s activism ignited like a prairie fire in March 2018, fueled by the embers of the Parkland shooting and her unyielding empathy for the unseen. At George Mason Elementary, inspired by the Never Again MSD movement, Naomi rallied classmates for a walkout on March 14, 2018—18 minutes of silence: 17 for Parkland’s fallen, one for Courtlin Arrington, a 17-year-old Black girl killed in Birmingham, Alabama, whose story barely rippled the news.
“We can’t forget the Black girls,” Naomi insisted, her small hands clutching a poster in the school courtyard as 200 students joined, a sea of quiet defiance under Virginia’s spring sun. This act, born of a child’s moral clarity, caught the eye of March for Our Lives organizers, catapulting her to the national stage.
On March 24, 2018, Naomi became the rally’s youngest speaker, her 11-year-old frame dwarfed by the podium yet towering in spirit before 800,000 in Washington, D.C. Wrapped in an orange infinity scarf—knitted by her aunt as a last-minute symbol of gun violence awareness—Naomi’s voice, steady and searing, cut through the crowd: “I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper, whose stories don’t lead on the evening news.”
She named the unnamed—Hadiya Pendleton, shot at 15 in Chicago; Zymmere Johnson, a toddler killed in Kansas City—each syllable a indictment of media erasure. The speech, two minutes of eloquence that felt eternal, ended with a call: “Courtlin, Hadiya, Zymmere, Emmanuel, and the list goes on. I want you to know that we are here for you, and we will not stop until justice is served.” Silence fell, then applause thundered, Viola Davis tweeting, “You go girl!” and Tarana Burke praising her as a “young griot.”
The aftermath was whirlwind fire: Naomi guested on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where Ellen gifted her a trip to Jamaica, her mother’s homeland; she spoke at the Women in the World Summit, rubbing shoulders with Gloria Steinem; and at Tribeca Film Festival, earning the Disruptive Innovation Award amid a standing ovation.
Fame’s glare brought trolls—”crisis kid,” they sneered—but Naomi fired back with eloquence, her 2019 Teen Vogue op-ed dissecting pressure’s toll: “I’m still a kid, but the world expects a hero.” By 13, she hosted DiversiTEA with Naomi Wadler on ellentube, interviewing Serena Williams and Jameela Jamil on self-love and feminism, her questions probing with a journalist’s precision. The spark from that walkout had become a blaze, illuminating Black girls’ erasure in gun violence narratives, proving a child’s voice could command the nation’s conscience.
Naomi Wadler Net Worth
Naomi Wadler’s net worth is estimated at $200,000 to $500,000 in 2025, a modest figure reflecting her focus on impact over income at just 19. Primary sources include speaking fees ($5,000–$10,000 per event), media appearances on Ellen and PBS, and endorsements from brands aligning with her values. Her DiversiTEA series, produced with Ellen DeGeneres, generated stipends, while Tribeca’s Disruptive Innovation Award included a $10,000 prize. As a young activist, Naomi reinvests in causes—donating to gun violence prevention and Black girls’ literacy programs—keeping her wealth grounded. “Money’s a tool for change,” she told Washingtonian in 2019, “not the goal.” This ethos, blending personal fire with public purpose, ensures her net worth serves the mission, not the spotlight.
Awards and Recognition
Naomi Wadler’s accolades form a constellation of honors that illuminate her as a prodigy of purpose:
- 2018: Disruptive Innovation Award at Tribeca Film Festival, with a standing ovation for her speech.
- 2018: BET Humanitarian Heroes Award, honoring her intersectional advocacy.
- 2019: Webby Award for her DiversiTEA series, recognizing youth journalism.
- 2019: Teen Vogue 21 Under 21, celebrating her as a media changemaker.
- 2019: Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award from Rep. Don Beyer.
- Media: New York Magazine cover; Washington Post profile; PBS NewsHour feature.
These awards, from BET to Tribeca, affirm Naomi’s seismic shift in activism, crowning a decade of fire that began with a child’s walkout.
Naomi Wadler in 2025: Current Endeavors
At 19 in 2025, Naomi Wadler navigates the cusp of adulthood with a blend of seasoned wisdom and youthful fire, a Harvard freshman majoring in sociology, her Cambridge days a whirlwind of seminars, sisterhood, and selective activism. Living in a dorm overlooking the Charles River, she balances coursework on social movements with her role as a motivational speaker, her schedule a tapestry of lectures, library dives, and occasional flights home to Alexandria for family grounding. As a Webby Award-winning host of DiversiTEA with Naomi Wadler, Naomi continues interviewing icons—her 2024 episode with Serena Williams on body positivity garnered 500,000 views—blending journalism with joy, her questions probing with a reporter’s precision and a sister’s warmth.
Her activism, once a full-throated roar, has matured into strategic fire: Naomi curates panels at Harvard’s Black Students Association on intersectional feminism, highlighting Black Jewish identities amid rising antisemitism. In February 2025, she keynoted at the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s youth forum, sharing self-care strategies for activists: “Focus on yourself every once in a while—it’s not selfish, it’s survival.”
Recent endeavors include a collaboration with Tarana Burke on a Black girls’ mental health toolkit, drawing from her own experiences with fame’s toll. Naomi mentors middle-schoolers via virtual book clubs, echoing #1000BlackGirlBooks’ spirit, and pilots a podcast on “Voices Unheard,” dissecting erased narratives in media. Balancing fire with healing—yoga mornings and journaling nights—Naomi reflects, “Activism’s a marathon; Harvard’s teaching me pace.” Her 2025 horizon brims with promise: a potential second book on intersectional joy and expansions to global forums, her voice a bridge between generations.
Naomi Wadler Social Media and Advocacy
Naomi’s digital presence is a beacon of fire, her Twitter (@NaomiWadler) and Instagram (@naomiwadler) commanding 50,000+ followers with posts blending calls to action, cultural reflections, and unfiltered joy. A 2025 thread on “Black Jewish Joy in Antisemitic Times” went viral, amassing 20,000 likes and sparking dialogues on dual identities. As a 21 Under 21 Teen Vogue Ambassador, she amplifies voices via op-eds, her 2024 piece on “Activism Burnout” urging, “Rest isn’t quitting—it’s recharging.”
Her advocacy interweaves gun reform with racial justice: partnering with BET for Black History Month panels, she pushes publishers on diverse narratives, tweeting, “Stories shape futures—make them inclusive.” At 19, Naomi’s platform counters misinformation, her 2025 PBS spot rallying against school safety theater. Through family foundations, she funds scholarships for Black girls’ literacy, her mantra—”Amplify the unheard”—igniting a digital diaspora of young advocates.
Ethnicity and Personal Interests
Ethiopian Jewish and Black American, Naomi’s heritage is a vibrant mosaic—Ethiopian rhythms in her Amharic lullabies, Jewish fire in Shabbat debates. Interests include journaling for reflection, dancing to Afrobeats at family gatherings, and astronomy stargazing, echoes of her namesake’s cosmic wanderlust. A voracious reader of Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin, she unwinds with folk art and beach walks, balancing activism with joy. Bisexual and proud, Naomi cherishes sibling bonds and mother’s wisdom, crediting them: “They taught me voices matter—mine included.”
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Naomi’s path, luminous as it is, is lined with thorns: at 11, skepticism dismissed her as “just a kid,” media outlets ghosting her pitches amid the Parkland frenzy. Scaling her walkout meant navigating adult gatekeepers, her small voice drowned in bureaucratic noise. Fame’s glare brought trolls—”crisis kid,” they sneered—and the weight of representation, with Naomi confessing in 2019, “The pressure to be perfect almost broke me.” Balancing middle school with summits strained her schedule, prompting therapy and boundaries: “Rest isn’t quitting—it’s recharging.”
Skeptics in Jewish and Black communities questioned her “authenticity,” but Naomi countered with transparency, sharing raw journal entries on Instagram. Through it all, her resilience—rooted in family fire and Ethiopian grit—turns obstacles into octaves, her voice louder for the friction. As she told Washingtonian, “Discrimination taught me to stand taller—it’s fuel, not fear.”
The Broader Context: Gun Violence and Youth Activism in 2025
In 2025, gun violence remains America’s festering wound, with 43,000 annual deaths and 611 school shootings since Parkland, per Everytown Research. Youth activism, ignited by Naomi and Parkland peers, has mobilized 6 million voters, cutting youth deaths 10% via local laws. Yet, NRA opposition stalls federal bans, amid 2024 elections’ mixed results. Naomi’s intersectional lens—race, gender, identity—fuels March for Our Lives’ evolution, linking violence to antisemitism and police brutality. Her work aligns with 2025 trends: Gen Z’s 70% support for reform, per Pew, underscoring her call: “Black girls’ stories save lives.”
Collaborations and Partnerships
Naomi’s alliances amplify her reach: Ellen DeGeneres for DiversiTEA; Serena Williams for body positivity panels; Tarana Burke on Black girl mental health. 2025 partnerships include PBS for youth journalism and BET for Black History drives. Her Tribeca and Webby ties forge media bridges, blending commerce with cause. These collaborations, from Oprah summits to Forbes panels, create a network of fire, each partnership a page in her ever-expanding story.
The Impact of Naomi’s Speech and Movement
Naomi’s March for Our Lives speech transcended its two minutes, shifting narratives on gun violence’s racial toll—Black women 66% more likely to die by firearm than white women, per CDC. It inspired 50+ youth walkouts, per GrassROOTS, and influenced media coverage, with 20% more Black victim stories post-2018. Her DiversiTEA series, with 1M views, normalized intersectional dialogues, while Tribeca’s award highlighted her innovation. Impact ripples: a 2024 study links diverse activism to 15% higher youth engagement. Naomi’s voice isn’t just a speech—it’s a revolution, rewriting headlines one name at a time.
Future Plans and Vision
At 19 in 2025, Naomi’s horizon glows with ambition: a second book on Black Jewish intersectionality, a podcast amplifying unheard activists, and Harvard thesis on media representation. As sophomore, she eyes journalism or policy, vowing, “I’ll edit the narrative or write it anew.” Through expanded DiversiTEA and UN panels, her vision: a world where Black girls’ stories lead every page. “Books build bridges,” she says, “and I’ll keep building until every girl crosses.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Naomi Wadler in 2025? 19, born October 16, 2006.
What is Naomi Wadler’s background? Ethiopian Jewish, adopted in 2007 by Julie Wadler and Monte Ivey in Alexandria, VA.
What is Naomi Wadler famous for? Her 2018 March for Our Lives speech on Black female gun violence victims.
Where did Naomi Wadler study? George Mason Elementary; Imogene Gideon Middle; Alexandria City High School; Harvard (Sociology, sophomore 2025).
What is Naomi Wadler’s net worth? $200,000–$500,000 from speaking and media.
What is Naomi Wadler doing in 2025? Studying at Harvard, hosting DiversiTEA, mentoring youth activists.
Does Naomi Wadler have siblings? Yes, younger sister Sarah, adopted from Ethiopia.
Conclusion
Naomi Wadler’s odyssey from an 11-year-old walkout organizer to a 19-year-old Harvard firebrand is activism’s beating heart. With her March speech’s thunder and $200K–$500K net worth from fierce words, her 2025—from sociology seminars to DiversiTEA dialogues—ignites justice. Rooted in Ethiopian Jewish fire and family wisdom, Naomi’s vision endures: “Amplify the unheard.” As she recites names no longer erased, she forges futures where Black girls aren’t footnotes—they’re the epic. Shifting from activism to a story of controversy and resilience.
our next feature, “Katelyn Faber Net Worth 2025: From American Idol Aspirant to Kobe Bryant Accuser – Earnings, Settlement, and Private Life,” unpacks the journey of a woman thrust into fame and scrutiny—and how her life, finances, and privacy evolved in the years that followed.
