Colby King CC'22 was awarded The David Prize in recognition of his work building pathways for queer and trans artists of color and preserving the cultural legacy of the Kiki ballroom community. He is a co-founder and executive director of the Kiki Arts Collaborative, a multidisciplinary platform that combines professional development, archival research, and public programming to support emerging artists and expand access to the creative economy.
King is an arts leader, educator, and advocate whose work sits at the intersection of culture, justice, and community. A graduate of Columbia College with a BA in African American and African Diaspora Studies and Psychology, King served as chair of the University Senate’s Diversity Commission and was recognized with the Ralph Bunche Award for Leadership and Service as well as the Charles Bjorkwall Prize.
During his time on campus, he was deeply involved in student leadership and cultural life — serving as Race and Ethnicity Representative on the Columbia College Student Council, sitting on the board of the Black Students’ Organization for three years, and producing a Southern hip-hop radio show with WBAR. He also mentored youth through programs like Peer Health Exchange and conducted research exploring the intersections of race, religion, and sexuality.
King currently works as a marketing operations analyst at Justworks and remains deeply committed to creating spaces where art, scholarship, and social change converge.
