Christian Picciolini

Christian Picciolini was radicalized at the age of 14 and went on to become the leader in the notorious Hammerskin Nation, one of the most violent hate groups in the world. After leaving the white power movement at 22, Picciolini began the painstaking process of rebuilding his life. In 2009, he co-founded Life After Hate, a non-profit organization run by former extremists who are now dedicated to countering racism. He is a TEDx speaker and was awarded an Emmy in 2016 for his role as director and executive producer of an anti-hate video campaign.

Is There Life After Hate? This Former Neo-Nazi Says Yes

THE POWER TO CHANGE

Christian Picciolini escaped an existence built around bigotry and violence. Now he tries to keep people from going down that road in the first place.

Christian Picciolini | Published Jun 11, 2022

He Went to a KKK Rally and Stopped Being a Nazi Skinhead

ROAD TO DAMASCUS MOMENT

Starting as a teenager, he was consumed with hate for African Americans, gays, and Jews. And then, at a Ku Klux Klan rally in Tennessee, the better angels of his nature took over.

Christian Picciolini | Published Jan 26, 2018