As Pride Month comes to a close, we asked two of our incredible community members one simple question:

What does Pride mean to you in 2026?

Their responses remind us that Pride is deeply personal. For African LGBTQ+ refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers, Pride is about far more than celebration. It is about resilience, belonging, healing, and the courage to live authentically despite the barriers many continue to face.

Today, we are honored to share the voices of Dayo and Kitwana Jackson. Though their journeys are different, both stories speak to the power of community, identity, and hope.

At African Queer Voices, we believe that storytelling is a form of advocacy. Every story shared helps build understanding, challenge stereotypes, and create space for others to see themselves reflected with dignity.

We invite you to read, reflect, and celebrate these voices with us.

Dayo

Immigrant | Artist | Storyteller

Dayo reflects on finding chosen family, authenticity, and the freedom to live his truth in New York City.

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Kitwana Jackson

Immigrant | Storyteller

Kitwana shares what Pride means as an African asylum seeker and why hope, dignity, and visibility remain essential.

Our Stories. Our Truth. Our Pride.