Author
&
Founder. Multi-disciplinary Artist and Speaker
Hey friends —
Welcome to My Website.
I am the founder and Executive Director of Refuge America, a non-profit organization dedicated to the vision of “Strengthening America as a place of welcome for displaced LGBTQ people.
Edafe Okporo is the author of the compelling book "ASYLUM: A Memoir and Manifesto
“In his insightful memoir, “Asylum,” the Nigerian refugee and activist Edafe Okporo paints a disturbing picture of exactly how dangerous being gay in Nigeria can be… a disquieting account that humanizes a nameless, faceless multitude entangled in an issue with no clear end in sight.” - NYTimes.
The New York Times Review - Guilty Until Proven Innocent: A Gay Refugee’s Confrontation With America
Edafe Okporo is the author of ASYLUM: A Memoir and Manifesto and the founder and Executive Director of Refuge America Inc., a grassroots nonprofit based in New York City that supports forcibly displaced LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees. Born in Nigeria, Edafe experienced firsthand the persecution and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in his homeland. Seeking safety and freedom, he came to the United States, where his personal journey has fueled a lifelong commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and justice.
Edafe’s work with Refuge America focuses on community sponsorship, storytelling, advocacy, and public programming to strengthen America as a place of welcome for displaced LGBTQ+ people. Through these initiatives, he has amplified refugee voices, built empathetic communities, and mobilized supporters nationwide.
In 2025, Edafe ran as a Democrat for New York City Council in District 7 (Upper West Side – Washington Heights), earning 25% of the vote in a three-way primary against an incumbent, demonstrating his commitment to civic engagement and public service.
Academically, Edafe holds a bachelor’s degree from Enugu State University and a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from NYU. Professionally, he is an accomplished leader in inclusion and diversity, talent and organization development, and change transformation. Based in New York City, he continues to inspire through both his writing and activism, advocating for a more inclusive, compassionate, and just society.
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Contact
Literary Agency
Represented by Writers House
Contact Agent: Daniel Lanzar