Okong'o Kinyanjui

Biography

Okong'o Kinyanjui is the Co-Founder and Executive Director, of the Queer African Network (QAN), a mobile application designed to ensure that every LGBTQ+ person of African heritage, both on the continent and in the diaspora, has access to the resources and meaningful connections they need to thrive. He has built a comprehensive digital platform and information hub that globally crowdsources opportunities, transnational alliances, and affirming content for LGBTQ+ persons of African heritage. His work on QAN garnered diverse support, including from Echoing Green and Numun, recognition from the Obama Africa Leaders Program and NGO-CSW at the UN, and his TED Talk on the subject has amassed over 1.4 million views. By being able to gather safely in community, he has created a space that allows his community to radically re-imagine a future beyond crisis and negotiating their existence. He aspires to continue expanding our collective imagination and invest in innovative solutions.