Chair
(She/Her/Hers)

In recent years, Hazel has been full of discovery, starting with finding true happiness through transitioning. Since then, she enthusiastically advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and against gun violence, through her own actions and alongside several organizations throughout the KC Metro. The title of 'mom' is Hazel's favorite thanks to her two fantastic children, while endlessly pursuing the professional title of 'author' through her weekly blog and memoir in progress, both of which focus on her immense self love and equipping others to obtain the same.

Hazel recommends Kansas City Center for Inclusion is Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ resource and community center, providing safe, inclusive LGBTQIA+ community spaces where people can come for education, resources, and activities, as well as support a more cohesive LGBTQIA+ community in the greater Kansas City area.. KCCI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Founded in 2012 as LikeMe Lighthouse, then rebranded as Kansas City Center for Inclusion (KCCI) in 2017. Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ community has a rich history, and we are proud to have been a part of this story for the last ten years!

https://www.inclusivekc.org/

Interim Treasurer (She/Her/Hers)

Angie Powers is the mother of two strong humans. She has taught adolescents from a cart, in classrooms, and online. She’s sponsored everything from National Honor Society to Literary Magazine to the Gender Sexuality Alliance. She’s also mentored new teachers and facilitated professional development in various roles throughout her career in Olathe Public Schools. Her passion for advocacy has provided her many professional opportunities: NEA Director, Leaders for Just Schools and Welcoming Schools facilitator, 2018 KTOY Team, Greater Kansas City Writing Project Fellowship, as well as National Board Certification.

Angie recommends checking out Welcoming Schools. HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the most comprehensive bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+ and gender-inclusive professional development training, lesson plans, booklists and resources specifically designed for educators and youth-serving professionals.

https://welcomingschools.org/

Secretary
(She/Her/Hers)

Joy is a transgender woman who uses she/her pronouns and lives in Overland Park. Before coming out she worked mostly in journalism as a photographer, writer and editor. She now works at Garmin Product Support. In her free time, she can be found playing clarinet with the Mid-America Freedom Band (an LGBTQ+ concert band in KC) and hanging out with friends. If there are any fur babies present there is a distinct danger she will ignore everything else.

Joy recommends checking out The Mid America Freedom Band. The Mid America Freedom Band provides a safe space for instrumental performance opportunities, outreach, and social advocacy for music enthusiasts within the LGBTQ+ and ally spectrum of the Kansas City area to create an inclusive community that fosters and celebrates diversity.

https://freedomband.com/

At Large Board Member
(They/Them/Hers)

With their B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Communication, Margeaux’s affinity for research and analysis helps provide quantitative awareness of LGBTQIA+ intersectionality for DEIB purposes. Her belief in the power of networking has them striving to connect centers of influence, through empowerment and positivity. Outside of work and volunteering, you can find them enjoying time at home with their fiancée and two rescue dogs, watching independent creator content on Youtube and Tiktok, kayaking, walking, reading, and writing.

Margeaux recommends checking out Movement Advancement Project. Founded in 2006, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent, nonprofit think tank that provides rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all.

https://www.lgbtmap.org

At Large Board Member (She/Her/Hers)

Jennifer is a lifelong Johnson Countian residing in Prairie Village with her wife and 3 children. She is currently serving the queer community in Johnson County, and the larger Kansas City metro, in a variety of ways; in addition to the Johnson County Pride board, she is a co-founder of the Out with the Royals tailgate, and she serves as board president of Modern Family Alliance. Through direct action, advocacy, and community building, Jennifer is committed to building a stronger, more vibrant, and more welcoming Johnson County for the LGBTQ+ community.

Jennifer recommends checking out Modern Family Alliance. The Modern Family Alliance (MFA), formerly the Midwest Alternative Family Alliance (MAFA), was founded in 2002 by a small group of people to act as a catalyst for social action on behalf of LGBT families. Since then, the organization has been celebrating LGBTQ parents, prospective parents and those who support them. In 2005, MFA became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a goal of providing a presence, a voice, and a way to to better perform its mission to connect LGBTQ families and educate the larger community.

https://mfakc.org/

At Large Board Member
(He/Him/His)

Brandon Woodard is a higher education fundraiser and community advocate. Since 2019, Brandon has served as the state representative for District 30 in Lenexa and Olathe. In Topeka, he’s been fighting to defeat anti-LGBTQ legislation and advocating to fund public schools, invest in higher education, and to expand access to healthcare. When he’s not in the Legislature, Brandon is traveling with friends or watching the latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Brandon recommends checking out Stonewall Sports Kansas City, an LGBTQ & Ally community-based, non-profit sports organization founded in 2019 that strives to raise funds for local non-profit organizations. It is a great way to make new friends while having fun raising money for worthy causes!

https://stonewallkansascity.leagueapps.com/