Meet Daniel
Daniel J. Downer is a Black Queer activist and community leader advancing equity through lived experience and transformative leadership. With over a decade of impact, he blends activism with a bold vision for inclusive systems that uplift the most marginalized.
As the former Executive Director of The Bros in Convo Initiative, Daniel led one of Central Florida’s most influential Black Queer-led organizations, creating spaces of resilience, joy, and affirmation. Under his leadership, Bros in Convo gained national recognition from GLAAD, HRC, and OUT Magazine—and even received a nod from Lil Nas X.
Daniel now serves as a Racial Equity Consultant for Blue Ridge Pride, embedding racial equity into the organization’s mission, programming, and services. His work ensures inclusivity isn’t just a value—it’s a practice.
As a co-creator of the Black Boardroom Leadership Institute, Daniel developed an award-winning program that is transforming nonprofit leadership. This initiative, which won the 2023 ALP Excellence in Innovation Award and the Innovation in Marketing Pivot & Persist Award, amplifies diverse voices and fosters inclusive leadership.
In his role as a Senior Facilitator at The Equality Institute, Daniel helps organizations create cultures of belonging. He believes that inclusion isn’t passive—it’s a daily practice that requires action.
Beyond his organizational work, Daniel is a contributing writer for ArcherDating, where he explores belonging and inclusion in queer dating spaces. He is also a proud member of United We Rise, a national, Black-led movement reimagining the path to ending the HIV epidemic while addressing the health inequities facing Black communities across the U.S.
Daniel’s impact has been recognized widely, including the GLAAD Rising Star Award (2018), Watermark’s Most Remarkable Person in Central Florida (2020), and the LGBT+ Center Orlando Trailblazer Award (2021). He was also a finalist for the 2023 OUT Magazine OUT100 Reader’s Choice Award.
For Daniel, this work is personal. Having navigated these systems firsthand, he is committed to ensuring others don’t fight these battles alone. Through coalition-building, deep connection, and mutual learning, he works toward a world where everyone is affirmed—and the most marginalized are heard, valued, and empowered.
Belonging and inclusion aren’t just conversations—they’re commitments. Book Daniel for a keynote, plenary, or workshop that challenges, inspires, and drives real change.
