Zaya Wade is making strides in activism and representation for the Black LGBTQ+ community. On Saturday, she received the Model of Pride award from the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center’s 34th Annual Models of Pride, the world’s largest free conference and festival that brings together LGBTQ+ youth, parents, allies, and professionals ages 24 and younger.
The youth advocate and model received the award for her activism for transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth. Also, for her non-profit work.
MNEK, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer, digital creator, and media executive, Curly Velasquez, was also recognized for their contributions to LGBTQ+ representation. Emmy-award-winning creator and internet personality Ruba Wilson, known as Ruba’s World, hosted the event for the third time.
Wade told Our Weekly, “I’m just filled with so much pride and honestly, so much humility. It reminds me of the impact that we can make in our community. Sometimes it’s hard to feel it and see it, and in those moments it just uplifts me and makes me feel more connected to the members of my community, because they’re the reason why I’m here and the reason why I’m able to feel so comfortable being myself.”
She continued, “I think one of the best forms of media is visibility… I needed to see it, and that’s what’s allowed me to get here. My parents have obviously grown up in the media. I’ve grown up in the media, and I’ve been able to have a really, actually healthy relationship with visibility. Seeing so much Black success in my family is something I’ve carried with me into Black queer success.”
As co-founder, along with her father, NBA Hall of Famer Dwayne Wade, of their non-profit organization for transgender youth, Translatable, Zaya is focused on expanding awareness of resources and support for the transgender community through the online community and resource hub, which is wrapping up its second year since its inception in May 2024.
“I want to extend myself even further and reach so many other people and impact more members of my community. … It’s that hope for making a change in the whole world, not just in one place with one family.”
The event included interactive workshops focused on programming for LGBTQ+ youth. A job fair also took place to provide employment opportunities, along with community colleges offering educational information for potential college-goers. The Parents and Professionals Institute (PPI) led tailored workshops that connected parents, educators, and professionals with discussions, resources, and affinity groups for LGBQ+ family members.
Chief Marketing Communications Officer of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Oliver Delgado, said, “One of the really cool things is that we’re support staff. So, this is under the umbrella of the program that we do all year round. But what’s really special is that we get to highlight our youth services and the outreach that they do, especially in public schools in Los Angeles, to bring queer and trans youth together for a free day of learning here at the center.”
He further added, “When we have parents, guardians and queer families coming together to surround and support youth, we see that education doesn’t just stick in the classroom. It goes out into the streets where we need it more to support folks year-round.”
The event’s emcee, Ruba Wilson, known as Ruba’s World, kept the energy up for attendees and also hosted a Q&A with Zaya Wade.
“What Models of Pride means to me is blazing a trail, you know, doing what you really want to do… So, why not create rules that are conducive to your growth?” said Wilson. “It just feels so good to be here and see all the young LGBT youth just celebrating who they are.”
Senior Advocacy Communications Manager, Brian De Los Santos, said, “They [were able] to get creative and even learn some dance poems from our host Ruba.” He continued, “We would like for everyone to sign up for next year because we want everyone to be in person and get these resources, these classes, these workshops.”
Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo and Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, Fabletics, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Honda, The Automobile Club of Southern California, and the GUESS Foundation sponsored Models of Pride.
For more information about Models of Pride, visit modelsofpride.org. To learn more about the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth, visit lalgbtcenter.org/services/youth-services.
