J. ZOË MERCEDES TEAGUE

Photo of J. Zoë Mercedes Teague

J. Zoë Mercedes Teague is a multifaceted Queeribbean woman, attorney-at-law, narrative change practitioner, gender justice and LGBTQI+ activist, philanthropy professional, writer, facilitator, and content creator. Born and raised in the twin-island state of Antigua & Barbuda, she later moved to Barbados and Jamaica to pursue her legal education, experiences that deepened her connection to the wider Caribbean.

Zoë describes herself as a “Jane of many trades,” a reflection of the many disciplines, roles, and forms of creative practice that shape her work. She has worked as an attorney representing survivors of gender-based violence, as a philanthropy professional supporting feminist and LGBTQI+ movements, and as a narrative change practitioner exploring how culture, storytelling, and creative practice can contribute to social change. She has also worked as a facilitator, writer, and content creator, using public-facing storytelling to explore Caribbean culture, identity, travel, fashion, and everyday life.

Her work sits at the intersection of Caribbean identity and culture, Caribbean feminism, philanthropy, movements, and narrative change. She spent three years with the Nebula Fund, where she worked specifically on narrative change for gender justice, supporting feminist movements and accompanying grantee partners across the Global South.

She is a former Black Feminist Fund Fellow and currently serves as a Caribbean Advisor to FRIDA |The Young Feminist Fund, bringing a distinctly Caribbean perspective to global feminist philanthropy. She has also worked alongside Caribbean and international feminist and LGBTQI+ organizations and initiatives, with advocacy and legal experience spanning gender justice, sexual and reproductive rights, LGBTQI+ rights, and legal reform.

Writing and storytelling are central to Zoë’s practice. She writes Life Nice!, a public-facing newsletter on Substack, and creates digital content rooted in her Queeribbean life, culture, travel, and storytelling. She is also the creator of the mantra “life nice. thank you, more please.” — a philosophy of gratitude and expansiveness that has grown beyond a personal mantra.

Across these different pursuits, Zoë is particularly interested in Caribbean storytelling and cultural expression, Black feminist thought and practice, narrative change, feminist and LGBTQI+ movements, philanthropy, and the ways that creative practice can challenge dominant narratives and make space for more expansive visions of Caribbean life and possibility. Her multifaceted background allows her to move between law, movements, philanthropy, culture, and media, bringing these perspectives into conversation with one another.