When Wanda Sykes isn't making her fans laugh, they can find her advocating for members of the LGBTQ+ community. According to Pride Source, the multi-talented comic has worked with many LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including GLAAD and The Trevor Project. One cause dear to her heart is the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth, specifically those experiencing homelessness. Since 2012, Sykes has worked with the Ruth Ellis Center, an organization with a vision to prevent LGBTQ+ youth homelessness in Detroit.
Sykes became involved with the Ruth Ellis Center when the staff invited her to visit while she was in Detroit for a tour. What was initially a brief visit extended to three hours, as Sykes spoke with youth at the center (via Advocate). "I think a lot of people know there are homeless teens," Sykes told Hour Detroit, "but I think they think they're just troubled kids who ran away from home. They don't know these kids were kicked out, abused."
Since her first visit to the Ruth Ellis Center, Sykes has donated to the center, filmed a public service announcement, and hosted fundraising events. In 2019, the center honored Sykes with the Ruth Ellis Legacy Award.
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