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Janaya Khan

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Janaya Khan is a Canadian activist, organizer, public speaker, and model from Toronto, Ontario. They are best known as a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto and as a former international ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network. Khan’s work has focused on Black liberation, intersectionality, queer and trans issues, and protest strategy.

Early life and background

Available sources identify Khan as Toronto-born and Canadian, but provide limited verified detail about their early life. Public profiles describe them as non-binary and gender-nonconforming, with work shaped by experiences of marginalization.

Black Lives Matter activism

Khan is widely identified as a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto and later as an international ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network. Their activism has been associated with protest organization, racial justice, and public education on police violence.

Public speaking and media work

Khan has appeared in interviews, conference talks, and media profiles discussing intersectionality, transfeminism, and social justice. Sources also describe them as a model and public speaker, with a significant presence on social media.

Personal life

Publicly available sources indicate that Khan uses they/them pronouns and has lived in Los Angeles. Some sources also report that they are married to activist Patrisse Cullors.

Key facts

  • Khan is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto.
  • They served as an international ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network.
  • Their public work has addressed Black Lives Matter, queer theory, Black feminism, and protest tactics.
  • They are described in sources as a Black, queer, gender-nonconforming activist.
  • Khan has also worked as a model and public speaker.
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Canadian context

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.

Frequently asked 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.
Where is Janaya Khan from?
Khan is identified in sources as being from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What pronouns does Janaya Khan use?
Sources describe Khan as non-binary and using they/them pronouns.
Is Janaya Khan also a model?
Yes. Public profiles describe Khan as both an activist and a model, in addition to being a speaker and organizer.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://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 Birthdayshttps://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 Libraryhttps://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. Outhttps://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. Highsnobietyhttps://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. YouTubehttps://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