Originally from the tiny Caribbean Island of St. Kitts, Joan (she/her) spent her early years in Birmingham, U.K. before moving to BC which has now been home for fifty years. She has had the experience living as a Queer woman across three countries and ethnic communities. 

As a woman of colour, Joan has spent a lifetime in mental health service systems providing care, support, leadership, guidance and advocacy throughout her work and social community involvement across ethnic, social and refugee groups. She volunteered with Chris Morrissey and the Rainbow Refugee Sponsorship Program to sponsor, for the first time, a lesbian couple whose lives were at risk due to their sexual orientation. 

Joan, also known as DJ Joan Jah, is also a well known, Vancouver-based DJ dedicated to curating safe, inclusive, and joyful dance spaces for women, queer folks, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. A highly anticipated event she has co-curated is the Womyn’s Pride Dance at the Vancouver Rowing Club, an inclusive celebration featuring great music, dancing, and community-building. Another example she recently DJed is International Women's Day with Chicks with Picks at the Alcove Lounge.