Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto Will Speak at UMKC Pride Lecture Series on Nov. 3

Janaya Khan will discuss racism in LBGT community and Black Lives Matter

The speaker at the Pride Lecture Series sponsored by the University of Missouri-Kansas City will address two hot news topics – lack of social justice and equality in the LBGT community and Black Lives Matter.

Janaya Khan (Pronouns: They | Them | Theirs) has become a leading voice in the global crusade demanding social transformation, justice and equality. Known as “Future” in the Black Lives Matter movement, they is a black, queer, gender-nonconforming activist, staunch Afrofuturist, social-justice educator and boxer based in Toronto, Canada.

Khan will speak at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3 in Pierson Auditorium at UMKC’s Atterbury Student Success Center, 5000 Holmes St. Sponsored by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, the event is free and open to the public.

“Janaya Khan is a leading voice for not only justice and equality, but social transformation,” said Susan Wilson, vice chancellor, Division of Diversity and Inclusion. “They are addressing the challenges in Toronto and engaged in the Black Lives Matter issues in the United States. I am excited to hear what unique perspective Janaya brings to the conversation.”

Their dedication and bold approach to social justice work has created opportunities to contribute to academic and frontline community dialogue, having presented at universities throughout Canada, such as Ryerson University, the University of Toronto and York University, and at events across the U.S., engaging audiences on the global impacts of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Khan currently serves as executive director of Gender Justice LA, and as the Project Coordinator at Flemingdon Health Centre’s Youth Service Network We Belong initiative, working to increase opportunities for youth engagement and productivity.

Khan has been honored with several awards, including the 2015 Bromley Armstrong Humanitarian Award, and has been featured in online outlets, including the “Feminist Wire,” “RaceBaitR” and “The Root.”

Since 2007, the UMKC Division of Diversity and Inclusion Pride Lecture Series has brought LGBTQIA thought leaders from across the country and globe, including Dustin Lance Black, Laverne Cox and Ari Shapiro.

To learn more about the Pride Lecture Series and to register, visit UMKC Pride.

 


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