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Janaya Khan

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Janaya Khan
Khan in 2018
Born
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Other namesFuture
Alma materYork University
Occupation(s)Activist, model, organizer, public speaker
Known forBlack Lives Matter in Canada

Janaya Khan is a social activist from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Khan is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto as well as an international ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network.[1][2][3] Much of their work analyzes intersectional topics including the Black Lives Matter movement, queer theory, Black feminism, and organized protest strategies.[4]

Personal life and education

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Khan was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, to a Trinidadian father and a British Jamaican mother who emigrated to Canada.[5] Khan received a Bachelor of Arts from York University, graduating with an honours degree in English language and literature. Khan currently resides in Los Angeles

Activism

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Khan believes that the police do not keep people safe. Khan stated they would rather have "rapid response justice teams" in the place of police.[6]

In a 2016 interview with Maclean's magazine, Khan discussed the challenges of growing up with an intersectional identity in a society lacking resources and understanding of intersectionality and transfeminism, highlighting experiences like police carding as pivotal moments that led them to activism and the founding of Black Lives Matter Toronto.[7]

In October 2014, Khan and Hudson organized an action of solidarity following the death of 33-year-old Jermaine Carby,[8] who was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in Brampton, Ontario, on September 24, 2014. This incident occurred a month after the August 9 shooting of Michael Brown in the United States. After announcing the protest, around 4,000 people gathered to demonstrate in solidarity outside the US Consulate. Wanting to build on this momentum, they decided to meet with Los Angeles-based Patrisse Cullors, one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States. This meeting launched the foundations for Black Lives Matter to become an international movement rather than one based only in the United States.[9] Khan founded the Toronto chapter alongside Sandy Hudson and controversial[10] activist Yusra Khogali in November 2014,[11] the first chapter to be established in Canada.[12]

Khan has led a number of demonstrations and events in Toronto, mainly based on instances of police brutality in the United States and Canada. In July 2016, they helped organize a sit-in during Pride Toronto, where protesters came prepared with a list of demands including more representation of minority groups and no uniformed police presence during Pride.[13]

Lectures

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Khan has presented across Canada at a number of institutions, including the University of Toronto and York University. They have also given talks at many campuses in the United States, including Bryn Mawr College[14] and Emerson College.[15] In 2016, they were joined by Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi to speak at Smith College's "When and Where I Enter" symposium.[16]

Recognition and awards

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Khan is the recipient of multiple awards, including the 2015 Bromley Armstrong Human Rights Award from the Toronto & York Region Labour Council,[17] and was named one of "Toronto's Most Influential" by Toronto Life in 2016.[18] Their wrote for The Root,[19] Al Jazeera,[20] and the Huffington Post.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Black Lives Matter official website
  2. ^ Wang, Yanan (July 14, 2016). "The Controversy Surrounding Black Lives Matter in Canada". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  3. ^ Khandaker, Tamara (April 6, 2016). "This Is What Sets Toronto's Black Lives Matter Movement Apart from America's". Vice News. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  4. ^ Khan, J.; Gomes, D. (March 1, 2016). "Our Issues, Our Struggles: A Conversation Between Activists Daniela Gomes and Janaya Khan" (PDF). World Policy Journal. 33: 47–56. doi:10.1215/07402775-3545882. S2CID 155343284.
  5. ^ "Cover Story: Janaya Future Khan in Conversation with Janelle Monáe". September 21, 2020.
  6. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "The Criminal Justice System is Broken: Should the Police be Abolished?". YouTube.
  7. ^ Schwartz, Zane (July 8, 2016). "How a Black Lives Matter Toronto co-founder sees Canada". Maclean's. ISSN 0024-9262. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  8. ^ Gallant, Jacques (September 25, 2014). "Victim in Brampton police shooting is Jermaine Carby, says mother". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  9. ^ Cullors, Patrisse; Khan, Janaya (September 18, 2017). "the powerful story behind black lives matter". Vice. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  10. ^ Di Fiore, James (February 8, 2017). "Black Lives Matter Toronto Co-Founder Needs To Resign". Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "Here's What Black Lives Matter Looks Like In Canada". August 7, 2015.
  12. ^ "Black Lives Matter-Canada". Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  13. ^ Levinson-King, Robin (February 24, 2017). "Canada cities are banning police from Pride parades". BBC News. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  14. ^ "Janaya Khan, Co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter Toronto, Speaks at Bryn Mawr for Black History Month". Bryn Mawr College. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "#BlackLivesMatter founders talk about the movement". Emerson College. February 11, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  16. ^ "When and Where I Enter". Smith College. October 14, 2016. Archived from the original on April 2, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  17. ^ "Equity - Toronto & York Region Labour Council labourcouncil.ca". Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  18. ^ "Toronto's 50 Most Influential: #31, Sandy Hudson and Janaya Khan". Toronto Life. November 28, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  19. ^ West Savali, Kirsten (October 17, 2017). "Janaya Khan, Black Lives Matter Leader, Dismantles FBI's Fraudulent 'Black Identity Extremist' Report". The Root. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  20. ^ Khan, Janaya (June 10, 2016). "Muhammad Ali and Black Lives Matter". Al Jazeera. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  21. ^ Khan, Janaya (August 17, 2017). "White Nationalism Needs Canadians To Think We're Over Racism". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
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