Alijah OShea Davis was born, raised, and educated in the Greater Cincinnati Area. He is a graduate of Hughes High School class of 2004 and earned two Bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and African American Studies before pursuing and obtaining his Masters in Education with a specialty in Curriculum development, literacy, and second language studies.

 

During his years at the University of Cincinnati, Alijah traveled to East Africa and had a moving experience. His trip taught cultural emergence and a true appreciation for his ancestry. In Africa, he connected deeply with the people and learned their way of life which helped him look within at what he had been taught versus what he was seeing with my own eyes.

 

Also, while at UC, Alijah was a diligent member of the Racial Awareness Program (RAPP) which explored intersecting identities while questioning ideologies of white dominant culture. Involved in his community, Alijah was also a member of the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless. These organizations helped him grow as a person and in his journey as a  social justice activist.

 

Alijah started his Transgender journey in 2014 after returning from Tanzania. This road has not been an easy one but it has been the most rewarding. Alijah has been able to influence the thoughts others have about Trans people and the process, starting with his family. He has enjoyed affiliation with Cincinnati-based movements such as the Black Trans Project and Black Bear Brotherhood-Cincinnati. In the Fall of 2020 Alijah will be joining Teach For America- Memphis as a corps member where he will support safer and braver classrooms for students starting Fall 2020.