Who We Are
Our Mission:
To bridge the gap in access to education and opportunities for underrepresented communities by fostering an inclusive community built on empowerment, skill development, and equal rights.
Our Vision:
A world where every individual has the tools, support, and opportunities they need to live authentically and achieve their fullest potential.
Our Core Values:
We challenge inequality and prejudice. We collaborate to reach our goals. We are bold and brave. We are accountable to each other. We are diverse and inclusive..
Our Strategy
At The Equality Pathway, our strategy is designed to create sustainable and impactful change in the lives of queer individuals by focusing on three core pillars: Empowerment, Education, and Community building. Through these strategic initiatives, we aim to break down barriers and create pathways to success for underrepresented and marginalized communities in Nigeria and beyond.
Empowerment through Skill Development
As a youth collective, we believe that access to education and practical skills is the key to empowerment. Our skill-set initiative, Q-Tech Academy, aims to equip queer individuals with in-demand tech and design skills, ensuring that they have the tools to thrive in the digital economy. By partnering with leading industry experts, we offer training programs that provide our community with the confidence and expertise to excel in their careers.
Fostering Inclusive Communities
Building a supportive and inclusive community is at the heart of everything we do. Through our Q-Corner Initiative - a virtual support platform, we create safe spaces where young people can connect, collaborate, and grow together. These spaces foster peer-to-peer support, mentorship, and collective learning, creating a foundation for long-term personal and professional development. We also deliver cutting-edge skillsets conversations, living libraries, and coaching through this initiative, which provides a safe corner for sexual minorities and other marginalized groups to feel safe and attain their full potential. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where every person feels valued, seen, and supported in their journey.
Advocacy and Social Change
TEP is dedicated to advocating for the rights of underrepresented and marginalized communities by working with local and international organizations to promote equality and inclusion. We strive to influence policy changes that protect the rights of women and sexual minorities and ensure that every person has equal access to opportunities. By raising awareness and amplifying queer voices, we work towards a more just and equal society.
Through these strategic pillars, we are committed to transforming lives, fostering resilience, and paving the way for a future where every individual can thrive, free from discrimination and inequality. Together, we are building The Equality Pathway—a path to a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow.
Our Team
Aliyah BAANA (she/her)
Team Lead
Agim GRACEJOY (he/him)
Community Safety
IB Anderson (she/her)
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Henry Nwakanma (he/him)
Campaigns and Content Development
Mayor OSUNWA (he/him)
Communications
Emmanuel ONWE (he/they)
Advocacy and Programmes
Bassie JUSTUS (he/him)
Finance
Where It All Began
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Origin
Founded in Abakaliki, Nigeria
Formerly I'm Emmanuel Foundation, The Equality Pathway (TEP) is a feminist non-profit organization that began as an informal group in July 2017 in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Nigeria. We are a vibrant group of young people driven by the passion to reduce inequalities and social exclusion, especially for sexual minorities. Our mission is rooted in creating a pathway to equality where every person, regardless of their background, has a fair chance at a decent and fulfilling life. -
AimOur work goes beyond reducing inequality—we actively strive to improve Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), fostering youth engagement in civil and democratic spaces. By advocating for the rights and wellbeing of underrepresented communities, we aim to ensure their health needs are met, their rights protected, and their futures equipped with the skills and tools necessary to reach their full potential.
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ScopeWe operate on multiple levels—individual, grassroots, community, and national—working inclusively to drive all young people toward a future of comprehensive change and collective advancement. Together, we’re building a society that is inclusive, prosperous, and free from violence, where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.