Uchechukwu Onwa is a Nigerian-born organizer, trainer, leader and movement strategist who fled his home country Nigeria in 2017 due to the repression and persecution he faced as a gay man. He has over a decade of experience working in community outreach, public health, and human rights.
He previously worked as the Co-Director for the Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (QDEP) where he focused on leading the organization in the achievement of its vision and mission and financial objectives. He currently work as the National Civic Engagement Coordinator for Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI).
Uche was selected to sit on the board of mayor Bottom’s (Atlanta’s former mayor) Commission that decided the closure and reimagining of Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) in 2018, he was recognized and awarded by the former New York City Mayor, Bill De Blasio, and the Bronx Borough President for his fight for inclusion of LGBTQ+ immigrants in New York City in 2020, and featured as one of New York City LGBTQ+ Power Player of the year in 2022.
As an LGBTQ activist, visionary for change Uche has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at advocating for the rights and dignity of LGBTQ individuals, especially those from marginalized communities. His work encompasses a wide range of advocacy efforts, from grassroots activism to strategic policy interventions.
With a relentless commitment to creating a more just and equitable society, Uche continues to drive impactful change, advocating for policies that uplift marginalized voices and create spaces where all individuals can not only survive but thrive authentically despite their immigration status, race, sexuality, gender expression and identity.
Uche’s work has been featured in Windy City Times, Shondaland, Plus Magazine, Buzzfeed, Advocate Magazine, Vogue Magazine, PoliticsNY, AMNY, Pulitzer Center, Washington Blades and many more.
When he is not organizing for queer and trans immigrants’ liberation you can find him spending time and throwing parties with his chosen family.
Brief Profile: Reverend Jide Macaulay is a prominent figure and an openly gay British-Nigerian based in Manchester. He is the Founder and CEO of House Of Rainbow CIC, a Christian minister since 1998, and an Anglican Priest. With an impressive educational background, Jide holds a degree in Law, a master's degree in Theology, and a post-graduate certificate in Pastoral Theology.
Jide's ministry is deeply rooted in the principles of inclusion and reconciliation, focusing on harmonising sexuality, spirituality, and human rights. His advocacy work extends to various organisations, where he has served as a Board of Trustee at Kaleidoscope Trust UK, and a Trustee for Global Interfaith Network. Presently, he holds the position of Chairperson for INERELA+ Europe, and is a Patron at ReportOut & One Body One Faith, Chair of One Voice Network, HIV-Mentor at Positive East, and George House Trust.
His dedication and efforts have earned him recognition, as he served as a Judge at the British LGBT Award in 2023, and received multiple nOSCARS Awards in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Reverend Jide Macaulay also contributes as Expert Advisor at UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights, a Volunteer Chaplain at Mildmay HIV Hospital and a Volunteer Champion at Afruca Children's Charity, further exemplifying his commitment to social causes and activism.
--
John Adewoye is a Nigerian/American resident in Riverdale, Illinois. He is one of the few African openly gay men in their 60s. John has worked extensively and intimately with LGBTQ Asylum-Seekers, particularly those who live in Chicagoland.
John has also received awards for his contribution to LGBTQ human rights; in 2015 Annual Anniversary Award for courage and personal sacrifice by Chicago LGBTQ Asylum Support Program. In 2019, Unsung Hero Award by BLMP & AfroNYC. In 2020, he was inducted into Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame, and in 2022, he was awarded the Andreina Blua Acknowledgement Award for Frontline and Local Responders.
He was a priest in the Roman Catholic Church and now a Social Worker with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Aneiry Simonnaeh Zapata was born in a small black-Garífuna community called “Sambo Creek” in Honduras. She is a transgender Black woman, a primary education teacher, a feminist, and a human rights activist, and specifically LGBTQIA+ rights.
She arrived to the USA in 2015, and was detained at the border, after spending 6 months in a detention center, she realized a change needs to be made. And since the first day she has been working for it.
In 2022 she graduated from the NOVO Foundation cohort on the Move to End Violence, under the vision to teach leaders how to fight against Violence in Latin-American and USA.
She currently work with BLACK LGBTQ+ Migrant Project as a Community Organizer, where she work with directly impacted Garifuna LGBTQ+ Folks.
In 2023 she created the first HONDURAN LGBTQ+ INTERNATIONAL CULTURE EXCHANGE GROUP, where she was able to help14th Garifuna LGBTQ+ folks secure a US visa to come to the USA for the first time to learn about political and sexual education. Currently she is about to go to law school in Carlos III University in Madrid, Spain.
A Humanist, Model, Photographer, Researcher, Campaigner, Community builder with expertise in Sexual Health, Human and LGBTQ+ Rights. Alex Kofi Donkor is the founder and current director of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, a movement of mostly young LGBTQA persons who are championing a safe, inclusive and free society for LGBTQI+ persons in Ghana.
I stand for human empowerment. I desire to see human lives improve. I have keen interest in learning about people in hopes of understanding how to help. As a gay man, I have firsthand knowledge on feeling conflicted internally and being misunderstood externally. I grew up into my actual self the hard way and today, in my adult life, I have a rather enhanced appreciation for humanity. On the backdrop of sexual orientation gender identity and expression, I speak through and against all forms of social, political and religious discrimination simply because it is the right thing for humanity. This firm believe in the value for human life is the foundation on which my advocacy stands.
I studied Development Education at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale. I served as
Project Manager for Priorities on Rights and Sexual Health (PORSH). I have worked on several researches in the field of HIV/AIDS among gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM), Such as the Ghana Men Study II, Stigma Study, C5 Study and JSI-USAID Care Continuum Project.
I am an out-spoken LGBTQI Activist and have engaged with the media for social change on the issue of LGBTQI mostly in Africa and Ghana to be precise. I have appeared on many International Television stations including CNN, BBC, DW TV, Bloomberg and other media platforms. I have been a guest speaker of some renowned universities like the Princeton and Columbia University.
In July 2021 I was listed in Vogue Magazine as one of 7 Activists fighting to improve LGBTQ+ Rights Across Africa and in December that same year I was again selected as African of the year by The Continent.
I am a member of Human Rights Defenders Ghana and a host of other allied duties.
JJ (ze/zir/they/them) was born and raised in Bridgetown, Barbados. JJ fled Barbados at the age of 16 in 2006 to escape the torture and persecution of LGBTQIA+ community members. JJ previously held roles such as the Economic Empowerment Specialist with the New York City Anti-Violence Project, The New York City Chapter Lead Organizer and Research Hub Leader with the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP), Deputy Director at Black & Beyond The Binary Collective. Currently they are the Direct Service to Organizing Director at Unite Oregon and Founder of Cosmic Pollinators Wellness Collective.
Over the past decade, JJ has been an innovative leader in HIV Prevention & Treatment fight, migrant rights, economic empowerment, and mental health access specifically for black LGBTQIA+ Migrants. In February 2021, JJ co-created the Cosmic Pollination Wellness Collective which aims to cultivate the mental health and resilience of social change-makers working actively to eliminate systems of racial and gender oppression across social movements. CPWC works to funnel direct healing and economic support to changemakers who serve as conduits of knowledge and resources in their communities and support their healing goals.
During their spare time, JJ enjoys hiking, plant walks, tending to their plant babies, cooking, baking, among many others.
Dr. Lulu (Uchenna Umeh, MD, MBA, FAAP)
Dr. Lulu (Uchenna Umeh, MD, MBA, FAAP) is a Nigerian-born physician, author, speaker, and fierce advocate for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and their families. A proud mother of a transgender daughter, Dr. Lulu brings her lived experiences and 34 years of professional expertise to her work, blending personal insights with clinical knowledge.
A former Lt. Col and commander in the United States Air Force, she is the host of Moms 4 Trans Kids Podcast and founder of Dr. Lulu's Angels Haven, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe and affirming homes for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth, with a focus on Black and Brown trans children.
Dr. Lulu’s advocacy is rooted in her mission to promote mental health, gender affirmation, and systemic equity for marginalized communities. She is a sought-after speaker who has delivered three TEDx talks and spoken at national and international conferences, inspiring change through powerful storytelling and practical solutions. A published author and adjunct professor, Dr. Lulu also leads workshops on intersectionality, allyship, and LGBTQ+ youth advocacy for parents, educators, and healthcare providers.
Through her nonprofit, books, podcast, and mini-conferences, Dr. Lulu empowers parents to become allies and advocates for their LGBTQ+ children, fostering a world where queer youth can live authentically, thrive, and feel truly seen. Her much anticipated book “About Your Black Transgender Child is Out on Amazon!