The Team

JESSICA JOHNSON (SHE/HER )
CEO ( CO-FOUNDER )
Jessica Johnson is a descendent of the Warumungu/Wombaya people of the Northern Territory, born on Larrakia country (Darwin) and raised on Ngunnawal country (Canberra). She’s the lead creative and owner of Nungala Creative. As a founding Director of BlaQ Jessica anticipates the tangible application of overdue services and resources needed to nurture and empower the often overlooked and underestimated members of our First Nations LGBTQ+ community. Jessica believes like most things colonisation has attempted to erase us but we the First Nations LGBTQ+ people of this country have always been here. Along side our brothers and sisters we have existed moving through time, providing for our families, caring for those in need, loving and protecting our community and country. Our elders need to be honoured and remembered and our sparkly fabulous babies need to know they have belonging. Jessica see’s BlaQ playing vital role in solidifying this space through innovation and inclusion (and some blood, sweat and tears).
TEVITA FONUA (HE/HIM)
COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Hailing from Taree NSW, Tevita is a proud Biripi, Tongan gay man. With established networks across the Mid North Coast of NSW, he is based in Redfern where he maintains strong community connections. Tevita has extensive experience working with Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander mob and is dedicated to enhancing the visibility, access, and structural equity for First Nations LGBTQSB+ individuals and the broader community. His long-term vision is to actively contribute to "Closing the Gap" by fostering relationships for BlaQ and empowering Aboriginal Queer individuals to achieve their full potential through innovative approaches. Beyond his advocacy and engagement, Tevita is an accomplished freelance digital artist. He is deeply committed to ensuring both Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples and the LGBTQSB+ community are celebrated, protected, and heard within affirming spaces. Tevita's unwavering focus, whether expressed through artistic creation or dedicated advocacy, is to uplift, inspire, and forge enduring positive change for his communities. Not just for a few but for everyone.
YARAAI BRIGGS GREEN (SHE/THEY)
POLICY OFFICER
Yaraai Briggs Green is a proud Gamilaroi trans woman from Moree, Northwest NSW, a town where she grew up and has deep ties to. She has extensive experience working in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector, most notably in research ethics. Yaraai is also an accomplished artist, she has been honing her skills for over 15 years as a creative. She has since made a shift back to the Aboriginal community-controlled sector and brings a wealth of knowledge. This coupled with her creative abilities means that she always finds ways to produce positive and tangible outcomes for community. Yaraai is passionate about trans health care, queer education and helping to build up First Nations LGBTQSB+ mob in whatever ways is meaningful to her community.

JAKE SIMON ( HE/HIM )
CONSULTANT
Jake Simon is a proud Worimi-Biripi man, born on Worimi Country. A multidisciplinary artist and creative, Jake is the force behind IYDA—a visual arts practice that seamlessly fuses traditional Aboriginal forms with contemporary methods, transforming cultural storytelling into bold, modern conceptual expressions. With a strong foundation in Communications and Marketing, Jake is a respected voice across both First Nations and LGBTQSB+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy (SB) communities, from Newcastle to Sydney. His work bridges culture, identity, and community engagement, creating spaces that honour lived experience while pushing creative and social boundaries. Jake has been involved with BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation since its inception, contributing his insight, artistry, and communications expertise to projects that centre queer Blak voices and lived realities.
TIM LEHA (HE/HIM)
CONSULTANT
Tim is an independent producer, consultant and Indigenous media specialist of Tongan and Kamilaroi heritage, who has been working in broadcast and cross-platform media for decades. He has experience in print, radio, television and online content creation and leadership and holds a master’s degree in business & leadership from the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Originally from Western Sydney, and with cultural and family ties to Northwest NSW and the Far South Coast, he has a background in community organising, advocacy and volunteering. At different stages of his career, he has been a journalist, a street art space curator and an event organiser, overseeing large-scale community events in spaces like Sydney’s Hyde Park, Sydney Town Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Currently based in Sydney’s inner west, Tim’s interests include travel, social justice and storytelling.”
SADIE GREEN (SHE/HER)
ADVOCACY, ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
Sadie Green is a proud queer Gamilaroi woman from Northwestern NSW, her family originates from the small towns of Moree and Brewarrina. Sadie has worked in the art industry since 2021, during this time she has created websites, painted murals, sculpted ceramics, and developed merchandise with original designs. She has also worked closely on the graphic design of high-level documents which are used in organisations throughout the sector. Sadie is passionate about creating positive change within her community and continues to hold strong ties with her mob in Moree, Brewarrina and Walgett. She has since diverted to the community sector with hopes to engage with Queer Blak mob and promote the important work of the sector.

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.