About
Connek JA is a grassroots organization and resource center that provides networking and socialization that connects queer Jamaicans within and outside of Jamaica, fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion through programming, offers financial and educational information, and advocates for changes in policy for the queer community in Jamaica and beyond.
Our goals are:
To connect queer people and allies in and outside of Jamaica through events in Jamaica and NYC.
To maintain a transnational presence as a traveling resource center with programming in Jamaica and NYC.
To collaborate and harness resources for organizations in Jamaica doing non-profit work to support the LGBTQIA+ community there.
To support the ever growing liberation movement in Jamaica for queer people while centering joy and community.
Board of Directors
Neon Christina (he/him)
Born in Long Island, NY Christopher Udemezue aka Neon Christina has shown at a variety of galleries and museums, including the New Museum, Queens Museum of Art, PS1 MoMa, Bruce High Quality Foundation, and Envoy Enterprises. Udemezue has recently utilized his Jamaican heritage and the complexities of its desire for connection, tragedy through personal mythology, and public lynching, as a primary source. As the founder of the platform RAGGA NYC, he completed a residency with the New Museum titled, "All The Threatened And Delicious Things Joining One Another", in June 2017. RAGGA NYC is a party and platform run by artist Neon Christina that has received press from the New Yorker magazine to Art Net.com. Working with the likes of PAPI JUICE, Juliana Huxtable, YES YES YALL (Toronto) and The New Museum; RAGGA has stormed NYC nightlife with a much needed queer Caribbean flavor.
Chaday Emmanuel (they/ them she/her)
Born and living in Kingston, Jamaica, co-founder of @Connekja & @Sapphicja. Chaday is an entrepreneur majoring in Digital Media Production & event production. Always striving to provide people with safe spaces and opportunities. Connekja is a Queer resource center co-founded by creative director Chaday Emmanuel, that has worked with some of the best of Kingston Jamaica’s queer talent scene. Just last year Connek held Jamaica's first official ball at Hope Gardens. Connek highlights love and tolerance no matter what the event has continued to have successful, safe events working with local venues to build ties throughout the community. Chaday has worked in film in different aspects from Art Direction, BTS, and in the last few years acting in minor roles for HBOs 'Get Millie Black' and a major role in Hulu and Disney Plus Upcoming '1000 Blows'
Who We Are—Where We Are Going
Connek JA is a dedicated team of advocates, founded and led by Chaday Emmanuel, based in Kingston, Jamaica, and Christopher Udemezue, based in New York City. As a transnational team, Connek effectively gathers and disseminates resources, builds community, and creates safe spaces in both Jamaica and NYC.
After executing one of a kind events, such as Jamaica’s first Ball or hosting groups of travelers from the U.S., we will build the safe spaces necessary to sustain a thriving queer community in Jamaica. We are passionate about continued programming and events for the queer community in order to strengthen existing networks of care and build opportunities for social and professional partnerships. Such partnerships have and will continue to showcase the talent within the queer Jamaican community, particularly in the areas of music, fashion, visual art and executive management. Channeling our creative, artistic and political passions, we aspire to utilize our resources to achieve greater communal security and quality of life for queer Jamaicans. This includes using our networking and educational programming to strengthen professional and financial ties that lead to more jobs and opportunities for queer Jamaicans, developing relationships that lead to tangible improvements in the lives of queer Jamaicans such as access to safe housing, and allocating resources among the queer Jamaican community for greater security and self-determination.
Our vision as an organization is to have a long-term impact that uses community strength and mutual aid to alleviate discrimination, violence and financial insecurity while also advocating for political change. Through continuously innovative social and educational events, allocation of resources and advocacy, Connek JA aims to forge a path towards increased availability of resources and greater communal strength for queer Jamaicans, alongside fellow Jamaican human rights organizations.
Press
Diotima: A fashion ode to the Caribbean (Connek JA mention) - Jamaica Gleaner
Marrying Two Missions: Support & Celebrate Queer Artists And Trans Women Living In Jamaica - Love Injection Magazine
Singer Shenseea mentions CONNEK -
Teen Vogue
”An Exploration of LGBTQ Jamaican Identity—and Lots of Food” - Feature on Connek
- Advocate Magazine
”CONNEK is redefining what it means to be queer and Caribbean” - Feature on Connek
Topical Cream
CONNEK Team in the Pride issue of Pride JA Magazine -
Pride Magazine
Brand Ambassadors
Emani Alotta Punani Edwards she/her/they/them
Kyym Savage
she/her/they/them
Shauna_k
she/her
Donique Givans
they/them/theirs
