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The Board

JOHN LEHA
FOUNDING DIRECTOR + CHAIR
John Leha is a proud Birra Gubba, Wakka Wakka and Tongan man born and raised on Gadigal land (Sydney). John is our founding Director and Chair of BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation he has worked extensively in Indigenous education and employment across all levels of government and community. John is well-known health ambassador and founder of Sydney Deadly Runners. He currently chairs Gadigal Information Service (Koori Radio). John is pro-active member of the Sydney Aboriginal community with membership with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Aboriginal advisor to the Kingsford Community Legal Centre, Advisor for the Aids Council of New South Wales Aboriginal project, and active membership with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation leadership group. John Leha’s the very proud son to an amazing family and simply a beautiful big black gay man driving force for change with recognition, respect and reciprocity of LGBTQ+ peoples past, present and future. John is the sustainability lead of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence a leading Aboriginal not for profit social enterprise that aims to empower excellence in others. John says, “BlaQ is me BlaQ is you BlaQ is home.”
BLAKE TATAFU
DIRECTOR
Blake Tatafu is proud Wiradjuri, Dunghutti (Smith/Clarke) and a Tongan man with Hawaiian and Fijian ancestral links. Blake was born and raised on Dharug Country in Western Sydney, where he currently lives and works among his community. Blake is a social worker with a passion for Social Emotional Wellbeing, Youth Justice, Intergenerational Healing and uplifting the work of Stolen Generations Survivors. Blake is currently the Chair of the Healing Foundation’s national Youth Reference Group, where he actively supports the National Stolen Generations Reference Group and Stolen Generations Organisations across Australia. Blake has formerly held Director Positions on the Boards of Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS – South-East Region), Western Sydney Aboriginal Regional Alliance (WSARA) and Ngaramura Indigenous Corporation. Blake celebrates the diversity of all sexualities and gender identities and has a vision to support and increase the visibility and participation of LGBTQ+SB mob across the country with a focus on his home, Western Sydney, where he feels currently lacks a safe space for Mob to be authentically themselves. Blake would like to demystify the stigma of sexuality and further educate others to inspire LGBTQ+SB to be their true selves, without indignity or shame.
CORRINNE SULLIVAN
DIRECTOR
Corrinne Sullivan is Wiradjuri scholar currently residing on Dharug Country. She is currently the Associate Dean (Indigenous Education) and Professor of Geography at Western Sydney University. Her research areas include: Indigenous LGBTIQ+ people’s social and emotional wellbeing; Indigenous peoples and urban spaces; Indigenous communities and organisations; Indigenous education; and gender and sexuality studies. Her research has made significant and timely contributions to government policy, institutional practice, and community-based services and resources. A key objective of her research agenda is meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities and organisations to develop appropriate and impactful resourcing that can contribute toward building safe, inclusive and sustainable communities.
Corrinne is a lesbian cis-woman who is passionate about celebrating Indigenous sexualities and genders and ensuring that our individual and collective aspirations are achieved. It is to this end that Corrinne is committed to the work that BlaQ engages in to create positive and sustained change for our communities.
BRENTON CREED
DIRECTOR
(Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenu) Mr Creed is a Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, lands and seas, a part-time carer for his mother and emerging community leader. Mr Creed is well connected in Townsville and is a member of several committees including the Townsville City Council Inclusive Communities Advisory Committee that provides information and advice to Council on current and emerging social planning and community development matters to create a city that is accessible and inclusive for all people. He was also a member of the LGBTQIA+ Roundtable which provided an effective engagement mechanism for Queensland’s LGBTQIA+ communities to discuss issues, challenges and opportunities with the Queensland Government and to strengthen outcomes for communities. As a result, the Roundtable was instrumental in creating the Pride in Our Communities Action Plan 2024-2026, which focuses on three key areas of impact: Inclusive culture, stronger communities and connections and responsive, inclusive and accessible . He has good knowledge of the issues that affect LGBTIQIA+ Sistergirl & Brotherboy people including the need for appropriate and inclusive services.
JACK STANTON
DIRECTOR
Jack Stanton is a proud Zenadth Kes gay man from the Kemer Kemer and Maluligal Nations of the Torres Strait. Raised in Gimuy (Cairns), Jack has also spent time living in Warrane (Sydney) and now resides in Naarm (Melbourne), where he works with the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA). His role allows him to advocate for Aboriginal children and their families within the child welfare and social justice space, work that sits at the heart of his passion for community. Jack’s professional background is grounded in advocacy and supporting culturally safe systems for mob. He brings a strong understanding of community dynamics, policy, and frontline support, as well as a deep commitment to amplifying the voices of those often overrepresented in these systems. He is especially passionate about creating spaces that uphold both cultural identity and LGBTQ+ pride. As a new board member, Jack brings lived experience, a strong grounding in cultural values, and a deep commitment to equity and justice. While this is his first board appointment, he is excited to bring a fresh perspective, an open mind, and a community-first approach to BlaQ. His work and personal journey are deeply connected to the values BlaQ holds - visibility, safety, strength, and pride for LGBTQ+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. What drew Jack to BlaQ was its unapologetic celebration of identity and community. The organisation's commitment to empowering mob across the rainbow community resonated deeply with his own values and experiences. This shared vision reinforced his belief in the importance of visibility and representation, not only in policy and services but also in leadership roles where real change is shaped. As a Director on BlaQ’s Board, Jack hopes to contribute meaningfully by strengthening connections across community, advocating for inclusive and culturally strong services, and helping to create spaces where queer mob feel seen, supported, and safe. Jack continues to honour the strength and resilience of his ancestors and looks forward to walking alongside others doing the same.

Acknowledgement

BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and pay special respects to our LGBTQSB+ mob. We honour their legacy in everything we do.

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