Kojo Modeste
Kojo Modeste is the executive director of Pride Toronto, one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in North America. Recently, he has been vocal about the impact of political climate on LGBTQ+ funding, noting that the loss of corporate sponsors is a troubling sign of a broader rollback on support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives due to influences from the Trump administration.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Kojo Modeste warned that the event in 2026 will likely be scaled down if organizers can’t find more financial support.
Toronto Pride likely smaller in 2026 because of lack of funding, executive director says
Canada· 2025-06-29
Kojo Modeste says the festival faces a $900,000 shortfall that is likely to impact programming next year.
Toronto Pride says there won’t be any ‘noticeable differences’ to events despite $900,000 funding gapCanada· 2025-06-12
Kojo Modeste is the executive director of Pride Toronto and commented on the withdrawal of sponsors from the festival.
Three companies withdraw as sponsors of Toronto’s Pride festival amid DEI backlashCanada· 2025-03-01
Kojo Modeste, executive director at Pride Toronto, told the Toronto Star that the withdrawing companies had said 'they will no longer be supporting Pride because their mandate has changed.'
Opinion: With Trump spurring sponsors to ditch Pride Toronto, Canadian companies should step upCanada· 2025-02-28
Kojo Modeste, the executive director of the Canadian event, said that the sponsors who also do business in the US are seeking to avoid being seen as supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
Pride Toronto loses corporate funding as Trump’s DEI purge has chilling effect | Canada
United Kingdom· 2025-02-27
