Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daphne Dike Hart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Daphne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A defining moment in my career was the day I decided to start Black Pride YYC. At the time, the city didn’t have a space that centered Black 2SLGBTQ+ voices and I knew that if I waited for someone else to create it, it might never happen.

I remember standing in that empty event hall, the echoes of our first event bouncing off the walls, feeling both terrified and determined. There was no guarantee people would show up, no funding to fall back on, just a deep conviction that our community deserved a place to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

What started as a small, self-funded gathering quickly became a lifeline for so many. We began hosting employment workshops for refugees, mental health support groups for Black trans youth, and markets that showcased Black queer-owned businesses. The impact was immediate and profound.

That moment taught me the power of betting on myself and the importance of building what doesn’t yet exist. It wasn’t just about starting Black Pride YYC, it was about creating a space where our stories matter, our voices are amplified, and our existence is celebrated unapologetically.

The lesson? Sometimes the most significant changes come from simply saying, “If not me, then who?”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Daphne Dike-Hart, and I’m passionate about creating spaces where Black 2SLGBTQ+ folks can show up fully as themselves – unapologetically, boldly, and without fear. I founded Black Pride YYC and Black Pride Canada to fill a gap I saw in my community, a gap where our stories, our struggles, and our celebrations were missing.

Through my work, I provide programs that go beyond just events. We’re teaching financial literacy and job readiness to refugees and newcomers. We’re hosting employment workshops that focus on resume building, interview prep, and navigating workplaces where being Black and queer isn’t always understood. We run non-crisis helplines where people can call, talk, and be heard without judgment. And we create spaces where our art, our music, and our stories take center stage, because representation matters.

What sets my work apart is the intentional focus on intersectionality, understanding that our needs as Black queer folks are different and that our experiences deserve specific support. I’m most proud of the moments when someone tells me they feel seen, valued, or like they finally have a community that understands them.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s this: Black Pride isn’t just about events, it’s about building spaces where people can thrive, not just survive. And we’re just getting started.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I decided to launch Black Pride YYC, I was stepping into uncharted territory. There wasn’t a blueprint for creating a space that centered Black 2SLGBTQ+ voices in a city where those intersections were often overlooked. I poured my own savings into the first year of programming because I believed in the mission that much.

But it wasn’t just about that, it was the constant pushback. Some people said our events wouldn’t be well-attended, that our community was too small to sustain such initiatives. But every time someone questioned me, it only fueled me to push harder. I spent hours building connections, listening to people’s stories, and creating programs that addressed real needs, from employment workshops for refugees to mental health support for Black trans youth.

There were times when I felt like giving up, especially when resources were scarce, but seeing the impact firsthand, like a newcomer who found a job through our workshops or a trans youth who said they finally felt seen, kept me going. That resilience is what keeps me showing up, day after day, to do this work.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation was built on authenticity and intentionality. From the very beginning, I was clear about who I was serving and why. I was creating spaces where Black 2SLGBTQ+ people could feel seen and just be. That clarity became my anchor, and it’s what drew people in.

I also focused on impact over optics. Instead of aiming for flashy events, I prioritized programs that met tangible needs like economic resilience workshops for refugees, a non-crisis helpline for those who felt isolated, and employment support for Black trans folks. People saw that my work wasn’t just about visibility, it was about survival, empowerment, and long-term impact.

Finally, I made it a point to stay connected. Whether it was showing up for other community events, collaborating with local organizations, or simply making time to listen to people’s stories, I built my reputation through relationships. I wanted people to know that this work isn’t about me, it’s about all of us, and we’re in it together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackprideyyc.org
• Instagram: Black Pride YYC
• Facebook: Black Pride YYC
• Linkedin: Black Pride YYC
• Twitter: Black Pride YYC

Image Credits

Blueberriesphotos- the standing picture with the black blazer (in front of a building)