Stephen Chukumba is the father of Hobbes Chukumba, one of the four youth organizers of the first-ever trans prom in Washington, D.C. This historic event brought together 200 trans youth and adults from 17 states for a joyous moment of defiance. Stephen is featured in the Netflix documentary short, The Dads, directed by award-winning filmmaker Luchina Fisher and executive produced by Dwyane Wade, in which five dads accompany Dennis Shepard, the father of Matthew Shepard, on a fishing trip to discuss their loves, hopes, and fears for their trans children.

Since his son came out 7 years ago, Stephen has been involved in local, regional, and national activism and advocacy. He is an active member of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Parents for Transgender Equality National Council, Garden State Equality, and New Jersey Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Interface Program. As a facilitator, speaker, and trainer, Stephen works with community organizations, entities, and individuals to provide training and support for developing empathy for trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse people.

Stephen frequently speaks on issues of race, gender, and intersectionality through his podcast, The Parent Advocate, and social media, where he also shares his journey with his son.

In his regular life, Stephen is an agile coach, helping businesses develop nimble approaches to deliver customer value. He’s an alumnus of Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Seton Hall Law School, where he obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Stephen is a father to four, Chima, Asha, Hobbes, and Fuji, who live in Trenton, New Jersey,