Joy Ikekhua
Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy Recipient
Joy(she/they), from Lagos, Nigeria, is committed to building a democracy and economy that works for all. Motivated by this tenet, Joy has organized marginalized communities to push for justice and equitable access across a range of social issues in the US. Most recently, Joy developed the leadership capacity of moms across the US to build power and take action in their community at MomsRising, a national nonprofit advocating for moms and families. Further, Joy’s upbringing in Nigeria is the basis of their mission to use their organizing skills across the African continent to ensure that government institutions and public service delivery mechanisms are effective, while promoting equitable, community-centered solutions to poverty. Joy graduated with honors from Spelman College with a degree in International Development. Joy is a recipient of the Pulitzer Student Fellowship, the Audre Lorde Social Justice Award, and the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship.