Gabrielle Union & Dwayne Wade’s Daughter Zaya Wade, 17, Opens Up About Her Dating Life: ‘Situationships Are King’ - Page 3

3. Zaya started the nonprofit Translatable to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to express themselves. 

As she navigates romantic life, Zaya is also juggling the weight of being a community leader and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community through her non-profit Translatable, which she started with her dad. Created in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign, the remarkable platform provides resources and guidance to help LGBTQIA+ youth transition to adulthood while dealing with the challenges of being part of the community in today’s politically charged climate against LGBTQIA+ individuals. Zaya earned a 2024 Out100 Groundbreaker award for her critical work.

“I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night with an idea for Translatable and have to write it down,” the changemaker shared. “I’m just so passionate about what it can represent and what it can become. It’s the worst handwriting you’ve ever seen, chicken scratch because it’s one in the morning.”

Zaya said she’s especially honored that her dad created the initiative alongside her, “especially as an African American male,” helping to challenge homophobia in the Black community. Wade has been right by the teenager’s side ever since she came out in 2020. The proud father took a significant step in 2022 by filing paperwork to legally change the youngster’s name to Zaya, in order to affirm her gender identity.

“Honestly, him being raised in a traditional Black household in Chicago…the culture there isn’t very queer-friendly,” she added. “I hope that it will continue to inspire people to allow themselves to learn and understand queerness before bashing it.”

Zaya is on a mission and we can’t wait to see where she heads next. 

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