DaShawn Usher

Senior Director, Communities of Color and Media at GLAAD + Founder/Executive Director at Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI)

DaShawn Usher is a prominent advocate and leader in the LGBTQ+ community, currently serving as the Senior Director of Communities of Color and Media at GLAAD.1 In this role, he leads GLAAD's efforts to promote visibility, understanding, and acceptance among Black communities and communities of color through media.1

Professional Experience

DaShawn's career has been marked by significant contributions to LGBTQ+ advocacy and public health:

GLAAD:: As Director of Communities of Color and Media, he works to drive equity and access for Black queer creators in media and entertainment, while amplifying Black queer voices and increasing diverse storytelling.1

Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI):: He is the Founder and Executive Director of this organization, which he has led since June 2017.1

Previous Roles::

Vice President at Impulse Group NYC
Chair of the Young Black Gay Men's Leadership Initiative (YBGLI)
Health Editor at DBQ Magazine
Various positions in HIV counseling, testing, and youth coordination1

Education and Recognition

DaShawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University.1 His work has been widely recognized, earning him several honors:

Finalist for the 4th Annual The Anthem Awards in the Education, Art, & Culture category (2024)2
Named in the LOUD 100 by DBQ Magazine (2017, 2018)
Included in OUT Magazine's OUT 100 (2017)
Recipient of the Circle of Life Celebration & Pride Memorial Award (2018)
Awarded the Fighter Award by Heir Productions (2019)1

Recent Achievements

DaShawn has been at the forefront of several important initiatives:

Organized the inaugural Black Queer Creative Summit at GLAAD3
Launched a program supporting and affirming Black LGBTQ+ creators4
Selected as a Grand Marshal for NYC Pride 20245

DaShawn Usher's work consistently focuses on promoting visibility, understanding, and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly within communities of color, through media and community engagement.