Janaya Khan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janaya Khan
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Khan in 2018
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| Nationality | Canadian |
| Other names | Future |
| Alma mater | York University |
| Occupation | Activist, model, organizer, public speaker |
| Known for | Black Lives Matter in Canada |
Janaya Khan is an important social activist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She helped start Black Lives Matter Toronto, a group that works for fairness and justice. Janaya Khan also serves as an international ambassador for the larger Black Lives Matter Network. Her work often looks at how different parts of a person's identity, like their race and background, connect. She focuses on the Black Lives Matter movement, Black feminism, and how to organize protests effectively.
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About Janaya Khan
Early Life and School
Janaya Khan was born and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. Her father came from Trinidad and her mother from British Jamaica. Both of her parents moved to Canada.
Khan studied at York University and earned a degree in English language and literature. She graduated with honors. Today, Janaya Khan lives in Los Angeles.
Janaya Khan's Activism
Working for Change
Janaya Khan believes that police forces do not always keep everyone safe. She has said she would prefer "rapid response justice teams" instead of police. These teams would help people in emergencies.
In 2016, Khan talked about growing up with different parts of her identity. She explained how difficult it was to find support or understanding. Experiences like being stopped by police often led her to become an activist. These moments inspired her to help create Black Lives Matter Toronto.
Starting Black Lives Matter Toronto
In October 2014, Janaya Khan and Sandy Hudson organized a protest. This protest showed support for Jermaine Carby. He was 33 years old and was shot during a traffic stop in Brampton, Ontario. This happened a month after Michael Brown was shot in the United States.
After they announced the protest, about 4,000 people gathered. They protested outside the US Consulate in Toronto. Khan wanted to keep this energy going. She met with Patrisse Cullors in Los Angeles. Cullors was one of the people who started the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States.
This meeting helped Black Lives Matter become a worldwide movement. It was no longer just in the United States. In November 2014, Khan, Sandy Hudson, and Yusra Khogali started the Toronto chapter. This was the first Black Lives Matter group in Canada.
Leading Protests
Janaya Khan has led many protests and events in Toronto. Most of these events focused on instances of police brutality. This includes cases in both the United States and Canada.
In July 2016, she helped organize a sit-in during Pride Toronto. Protesters had a list of things they wanted. These included more representation for minority groups. They also asked for no uniformed police at Pride events.
Public Speaking and Recognition
Giving Lectures
Janaya Khan has given talks at many places across Canada. These include the University of Toronto and York University. She has also spoken at colleges in the United States. Some of these are Bryn Mawr College and Emerson College.
In 2016, she spoke at a special event called a "symposium." This was at Smith College. She was joined by Opal Tometi, who also helped start Black Lives Matter.
Awards and Achievements
Janaya Khan has received several awards for her work. In 2015, she won the Bromley Armstrong Human Rights Award. This award came from the Toronto & York Region Labour Council.
In 2016, Toronto Life magazine named her one of "Toronto's Most Influential" people. She has also written articles for well-known publications. These include The Root, Al Jazeera, and the Huffington Post.
