Conversations with Nikki Alexander

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Alexander.

Hi Nikki, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has really been rooted in community, advocacy, and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued. I started my career in property management and real estate, building more than 20 years of experience in leadership, operations, finance, and project management. Along the way, my passion for community work grew into something much bigger.

In 2020, I founded New Orleans Black Pride, creating a space centered on Black LGBTQ+ people, culture, health, advocacy, and joy. What started as a vision has grown into a nonprofit organization with thousands of people engaged each year, community partnerships, scholarship initiatives, youth programming, HIV advocacy, and wellness-focused work.

Today, I’m an Executive Director, entrepreneur, producer, advocate, and community builder. I’ve learned that my greatest strength is bringing people, ideas, and resources together to create meaningful change. I’m still evolving, but I’m proud of how far the vision has come—and I’m even more excited about what we’re building next.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. There have been plenty of challenges, setbacks, and moments when I questioned whether I was doing enough or even on the right path. Building an organization from the ground up—especially one centered on Black LGBTQ+ communities—has meant navigating limited resources, funding challenges, burnout, criticism, and the pressure of carrying a vision that doesn’t always have immediate support.

I’ve also experienced professional setbacks and seasons where I had to completely rethink what was next for me. But those moments taught me how to adapt, advocate for myself, and keep moving even when the path wasn’t clear.

The biggest lesson has been that purpose doesn’t mean the road will be easy. Sometimes it means continuing to build while you’re still figuring things out yourself. I’ve learned to give myself grace, lean on community, and remember why I started.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work sits at the intersection of community, advocacy, events, and strategic leadership. I’m the Founder and Executive Director of New Orleans Black Pride, where I focus on creating culturally intentional spaces for Black LGBTQ+ communities while advancing work around HIV advocacy, health and wellness, youth empowerment, harm reduction, and social justice.

I also bring more than 20 years of experience in operations, property management, project management, event production, marketing, and organizational leadership. I’ve built my career around taking an idea, creating the strategy behind it, and turning it into something people can actually experience and benefit from.

I’m probably best known for building community and making things happen. I’m proud of growing New Orleans Black Pride from an idea in 2020 into a recognized nonprofit serving thousands of people and creating programs, partnerships, scholarships, and opportunities beyond the annual Pride celebration.

What sets me apart is that I don’t separate the work from the people it’s meant to serve. I understand strategy, but I also understand community. I can sit in a boardroom talking funding and partnerships and then turn around and be in the streets making sure the community feels seen, celebrated, and included. That combination of lived experience, creativity, business acumen, and community-centered leadership is what I bring to my work.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Definitely. I’m a big believer in staying curious, learning continuously, and being intentional about my growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackpridenola.com
• Instagram: @nikklashae