Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
People File • Activist

Janaya Khan

Janaya Khan is a Canadian activist, organizer, public speaker, and model from Toronto, Ontario.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Janaya Khan is a Canadian activist, organizer, and public speaker from Toronto. They are best known as a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto and a former international ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network.

Key details

Janaya Khan, also known as Janaya Future Khan, was born November 23, 1987, in Toronto, Ontario. They use they/them pronouns and identify as a Black, queer, gender-nonconforming activist. In addition to activism, they work as a model and public speaker.

Activism and impact

Khan co-founded Black Lives Matter Toronto and later served as an international ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network. Their work focuses on Black liberation, intersectionality, queer and trans issues, and protest strategy. They have been involved in organizing protests and public education on police violence.

Background and personal life

Public profiles describe Khan as non-binary and gender-nonconforming, with their activism shaped by experiences of marginalization. They have been reported to reside in Los Angeles, California, and are married to activist Patrisse Cullors.

In short

  • Co-founded Black Lives Matter Toronto.
  • Served as international ambassador for the BLM Network.
  • Identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.
  • Also works as a model and public speaker.
Canadian angle

Khan is a Toronto-born Canadian activist whose work helped establish Black Lives Matter Toronto, making them a notable figure in Canadian social justice activism and public debate.

Quick questions

Who is Janaya Khan?
Janaya Khan is a Canadian activist and public speaker known for co-founding Black Lives Matter Toronto and for work on racial justice and LGBTQ+ issues.
What is Janaya Khan known for?
They are best known for co-founding Black Lives Matter Toronto and serving as an international ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network.
What pronouns does Janaya Khan use?
Sources describe Khan as non-binary and using they/them pronouns.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janaya_Khan
    Supports: Canadian origin, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto, international ambassador role, non-binary identity, activist occupations, Toronto and Los Angeles references
  2. Famous Birthdays — https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/janaya-khan.html
    Supports: Birth date, Canadian origin, activist/educator identity, model/public presence, marriage claim, social media presence
  3. Portland State University Library — https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/breakingbarriers/1/
    Supports: Describes Khan as a Black, queer, gender-nonconforming activist and International Ambassador for Black Lives Matter; notes awards and public speaking
  4. Out — https://www.out.com/print/2020/11/18/janaya-khans-world
    Supports: Cofounder of Black Lives Matter Canada, program director for Color of Change, and profile as an influential LGBTQ+ figure
  5. Highsnobiety — https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/janaya-khan-interview-jaden-smith/
    Supports: Toronto-born organizer, co-founding Black Lives Matter Toronto, international ambassador role, intersectionality and transfeminism
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCfYQ3K3wp0
    Supports: Conference talk identifying Khan as co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto and describing them as a Black, queer, gender-nonconforming activist