Zaya Wade is opening up about her first year of college and how she is adjusting to life away from her father, NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, and her stepmother, Gabrielle Union. Speaking at the second annual ball for Translatable on May 30, Zaya said that being separated from her parents has been difficult, but also rewarding. She described the experience as “hard,” while also calling it “exciting,” “fun,” and “freeing,” adding that college has helped her become more outgoing and confident in social settings.
The 19-year-old, who co-founded Translatable with Dwyane Wade, said her time at school has pushed her to step outside her comfort zone. She explained that she is now more comfortable approaching people she has never met and starting conversations, which she sees as an important part of college life. According to Zaya, the biggest lesson so far has been learning how to connect with others and build new relationships.
Zaya’s comments offer a personal look at the transition many students face when leaving home for the first time. For her, the move has meant balancing independence with the support of a close family, including Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, and her siblings. Dwyane Wade shares Zaya and older son Zaire, 24, with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, son Xavier, 12, with ex Aja Metoyer, and daughter Kaavia, 7, with Gabrielle Union.
The event where Zaya spoke was held in support of Translatable, a nonprofit founded by Zaya and her father to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth. Her remarks connected her college experience with the organization’s broader mission of encouraging confidence, inclusion, and authentic self-expression.
While Zaya did not go into detail about the advice her father gave her before her first semester, her comments reflected the values that seem to guide her through this new chapter: independence, openness, and connection. Her journey highlights both the challenges and the opportunities that come with college life, especially for young adults learning to navigate a new environment on their own.
Zaya’s first year appears to be shaping her into a more social and self-assured person, even as she continues to miss the comfort of home. Her reflections suggest that the college experience has been about more than academics; it has also been about growth, self-discovery, and learning how to relate to people in a new way.
