2025 LGBT Plus College Conference Schedule

Ray A. White, Ed.S. (he/him)

Ray A. White, Ed.S. is licensed by the State of Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counselor with both Mental Health Service Provider and Approved Supervisor status designation. He is additionally credentialed as a National Certified Counselor (NBCC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor (CCE).

His professional career involves both counseling and teaching in higher education at regional undergraduate and graduate institutions. Additionally, he maintains a professional private practice as Whitewood Counseling & Consultation, where he specializes in working with marginalized communities and providing clinical supervision to counselors seeking their LPC/MHSP license. (www.whitewoodcounseling.org)

Dr. Marisa Richmond (she/her)

Dr. Marisa Richmond is a member of the Metro Historical Commission and, until earlier this year, the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Excellence, Equity, and Economic Opportunities for Black Americans.  She previously served as a member and Past Chair of the Metro Human Relations Commission, the ad hoc Nashville Mayor’s Council on the Status of Women, and the Davidson County General Sessions Court Judicial Equity Collective.  She also served many years as the President and Lobbyist for the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition.

Last summer, she served as a Tennessee Delegate to the Democratic National Convention for the fourth time, having been a delegate in 2008, 2012, and 2020.  She is a Co-Chair of the Transgender Advisory Committee of the Democratic National Committee and a Member of the Out for Harris National Working Group.  She previously served as the first and only Transgender Person of Color on the Democratic National Committee and is the immediate Past President of the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women.

She is a prolific author and speaker on transgender rights, and has served on many boards at the Local, State, and National levels. She has been recognized for her work with many awards.

She recently retired from teaching history and women’s and gender studies at Middle Tennessee State University, and she has three degrees, all in U.S. History. Her A.B. is from Harvard University, her M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Ph.D. from George Washington University.

Introduced by Roberta Chevrette (she/her)

Roberta Chevrette is a queer, feminist, anti-racist writer and educator based in Nashville, Tennessee.  She co-authored the book Dangerous Dames: Representing Female-Bodied Empowerment in Postfeminist Media and has published 20+ book chapters and journal articles. She works as an associate professor of communication studies at Middle Tennessee State University, where her interdisciplinary research and teaching focus on how rhetorics of gender, sexuality, and race are used to de/humanize others, as well as on the uses of communication for activism and social justice. Her current memoir and documentary project, A Ghost Story: Queer Death, Family Secrets, and the Politics of Remembering, explores family secrets surrounding her father’s sexuality, his contracting HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, and his subsequent death by suicide. Positioning this narrative within a socio-historical landscape, this project centers on how queer stigma, shame, and silences haunt our families and our culture and seeks to contribute to the ongoing familial, cultural, and political work of queer survival.

Chelsea D. Liddell (she/her)

Chelsea Liddell is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology. She is currently earning her doctorate at the University of Memphis in Educational Psychology and Research and plans to graduate Spring of 2026. Her research gives focus to LGBTQIA+ young adults, their experiences with queer identity development, and their roles in creating queer safe spaces. She has worked as Program Manager for Student Inclusion Programs in the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Memphis since 2020 and currently serves as an Assistant Director for Camp Indigo Point.

Miranda D. McDonald-Brown, MPA (she/her)

Miranda is an emerging leader and the Director of ONE Community Programs for the Tennessee Titans. She manages the Titans’ philanthropic platform, focusing on uplifting entrepreneurs, neighbors, and students. Miranda’s career spans various sectors, including her role as Director of Community Development at Calvert Street Group, where she led stakeholder engagement strategies. Previously, she served as Vice President of Metro Policy for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, prioritizing policies for economic growth and community development. She also worked as a Policy Associate for the National Conference of State Legislatures and gained experience in the D.C. office of former U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper. A proud alumna of Tennessee State University, Miranda holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies at Lipscomb University. She recently completed the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Public Education program and serves on the Chamber’s Education Report Committee. Active in her community, Miranda is a member of the Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the Associate Board of STARS Nashville, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Pride Chamber. She’s also a mentor with Play Like a Girl (PLAG) and was recognized as a PLAG International Women’s Day Honoree in 2023. Miranda resides in Nashville’s Historic Bordeaux neighborhood with her husband, Jamari Brown.

Jackie “JJ” Light (he/him)

JJ is a proud Nashvillian with over a decade of experience at Dell Technologies. He currently holds the position of Senior Sales Manager within the Enterprise segment. In addition to his professional role, JJ is deeply committed to fostering inclusivity, serving as the Global Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG) lead and Nashville Site Director. Outside of his work, JJ is married to his husband, Nick, and together they share their home with two beloved fur babies. Passionate about exploration, JJ and Nick love traveling and are always working on a new project.

Stephanie Mahnke, PhD (she/her)

Stephanie is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Pride Chamber of Commerce and Tennessee Pride Chamber Foundation. Prior to her role at the Pride Chamber, she served as the Director of LGBTQI Life at Vanderbilt University and Assistant Professor of English at Utah Valley University, where her teaching and research centered around community engagement, cultural rhetorics, and queer rhetorics. For the last decade, she has worked as an educator and consultant for non-profits, businesses, and state boards of education in their intersectional work with indigenous, LGBTQ+, and AAPI communities.

Jennifer Redican (she/her)

Jenn is a dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion professional currently serving as a senior leader at Asurion. A proud graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), she brings over 20 years of expertise in leadership and development, focused on fostering personal and professional growth. In addition to her role at Asurion, Jenn is actively involved as a board member of the Tennessee Pride Chamber of Commerce, where she advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and strives to create inclusive environments through educational initiatives. Outside of her professional achievements, she is also a devoted wife and mother. 

Dr. Kelly Manix (she/her; moderator)

Dr. Kelly Manix is an Assistant Professor of Management at the Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. Manix earned her B.S. in Music Business Management and her M.B.A. from MTSU. She has taught at the collegiate level for the past nine years and completed her Ph.D. in Management at the University of South Alabama in 2022.

Her research focuses primarily on humility, ethics, and moral leadership and influence. Through her work, she seeks to enhance individual virtue and well-being in organizational and societal contexts. She has been published in several prestigious outlets, including American Business Review, Applied Psychology: An International Review, and Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, among others. In 2021, her research won Best Doctoral Student Ethics Paper and Best Doctoral Student Innovative Teaching Paper at the annual Southern Management Association conference. Before her academic career, she held several management roles in the recording industry and food service/retail industries and ran two small businesses.

Kelly has been married to her best friend, Matt, a live broadcast engineer, for 17 years, and they have a 12-year-old daughter, Luci. The family has two cats, Mochi and Mango, and they love traveling, Marvel movies, and trying new foods.

Roxanne Hallisey, MS, LPC-MHSP (she/her) – Private Practice

Roxanne Hallisey is a master’s-level clinician living and working on the land of the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee), Shawandasse Tula (Shawnee), and S’atsoyaha (Yuchi) peoples. She recognizes the ongoing impact of colonization, oppression, and white supremacy, particularly within the mental health field on Indigenous communities and seeks to deconstruct these harms in her practice at Hampton House Counseling.

She specializes in working with neurodivergence, existential questioning, trauma, self-actualization, and grief, as well as psychedelic integration. Roxanne works primarily with adults, with a focus on LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC populations.

Her therapeutic approach is grounded in the belief that all folks possess ‘inner healing intelligence’- an innate capacity for growth and transformation that can be unearthed and fostered by being in relationship with others. She practices from a Decolonized lens, integrating depth psychology, parts work and feminist and relational theories into her work and is also trained in ketamine-assisted therapy from Polaris Insight Center.

Roxanne has conducted research on the ethical implications of psychedelic-assisted therapy across diverse clinicians, as well as veteran perceptions of psychedelics treatments at Austin Peay State University where she earned her degree. She is also the founder of Alpenglow, a training and development consulting firm that trains clinicians in best practices for psychedelic-assisted therapies and collaborates with nonprofits to develop psychedelic preparation and integration literature tailored to diverse audiences.

Erin Floyd (she/her) – Nonprofit

Erin Floyd lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and works in the nonprofit sector, currently serving as the Director of Grants and Community Initiatives for United Way of South Central Tennessee. Erin brings over eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having worked across diverse areas, including child advocacy, family services, food insecurity, and homelessness. In addition to her nonprofit expertise, Erin is a writer, contributing to various publications for ecumenical publishers like Cokesbury and GenOn. Erin holds an M.A. in Christian Education from Garrett Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Religious Education from Oklahoma City University. She is also certified in nonprofit leadership, specializing in Board Governance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Grant Writing, and Marketing & Communications.

As a queer woman living and working in the South, Erin is deeply committed to advocacy, equity, social justice, and driving social change. In her free time, Erin enjoys writing poetry, singing songs to her dog, and spending time with her wife and chosen family.

Dirk Maxwell (he/him) – Corporate

Dirk Maxwell is a cybersecurity executive who understands that people are at the heart of every successful security program. Throughout his 30-year career, Dirk has focused on building highly effective, diverse teams across cultural and geographic boundaries, as well as across disparate industries, including automotive, technology, manufacturing, consulting, and customer service.

As Vice President and CISO at LKQ Corporation and in previous leadership roles at Dell Technologies, Texas Instruments, Sitel, and Kroll, Dirk has cultivated a leadership approach centered on bringing together talent from varied backgrounds. His teams have spanned continents, including North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Dirk’s extensive international travel has informed his approach to team building, allowing him to appreciate different perspectives and working styles. By creating inclusive environments where diverse viewpoints are valued, his teams have consistently delivered exceptional results, including implementation of robust cybersecurity frameworks to effectively manage cybersecurity risks that threaten the organization.

Named one of Cyberdefense Magazine’s Top 100 CISOs in 2020 and Nashville Technology Council’s CISO of the Year in 2015, Dirk holds an MBA from the University of Oklahoma, a BS in Computer Science from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and professional certifications including CISSP, GCIH, CISM, and CISA.

Host Allie Sultan (she/her)

Allie Sultan is an Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker whose work spans narrative, documentary and experimental modes. A graduate of the MFA-Cinema program at San Francisco State University, she has worked as a picture and sound editor with some of the San Francisco Bay area’s finest film companies and organizations – including American Zoetrope, ZAP Zoetrope-Aubry Productions, Berkeley Sound Artists, the Bay Area Video Coalition, and Tippett Studio. Her latest film project, Incognita’s Infamous Adventures, won Best Web Series at the 2021 Orlando Film Festival. She is currently in post-production on a feature documentary about LGBTQ Christians.

Allie is an Associate Professor of Video and Film Production at Middle Tennessee State University, where she teaches film and video production to the next generation of independent filmmakers.

Rebecca Montgomery (she/her)

Rebecca Montgomery is a retired lawyer embarking on a retrospective learning journey as she seeks a second bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University. As an integrated studies major, Rebecca is a proud member of Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association, MTSU’s all-inclusive LGBTQ+ student organization.

William Langston (he/him)

Dr. William Langston is a psychology professor at Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. Langston is the faculty advisor for Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association (MTSU’s all-inclusive LGBTQ+ student organization). Dr. Langston organizes the LGBT Plus College Conference and is a founding board member of Murfreesboro’s BoroPride celebration. Dr. Langston was recently selected as one of Focus Middle Tennessee’s 40 Over 40 in Middle Tennessee. Dr. Langston received his BA in psychology from the University of Houston in 1989 and his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994. Dr. Langston has been a professor at MTSU since 1997 and specializes in teaching research methodology and cognition. Dr. Langston’s research explores the psychology of belief. As part of his research program, Dr. Langston is a ghost investigator and has visited some of the most haunted places in the country. In his spare time, Dr. Langston enjoys stand-up comedy and can routinely be seen bombing at local open mics.

Don Srisuriyo (they/them; moderator)

Don Srisuriyo is the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) student engagement coordinator at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). CLA is a dynamic college committed to the ideals of a classical liberal arts education, which helps students craft a framework within which to understand the world, and students learn to communicate effectively, think critically, work with diverse people, tackle uncertainty, and solve complex problems. Don is responsible for undergraduate recruitment, the Liberal Arts Mentoring Program (LAMP), internship assistance, and co-curricular activities and programming development.<br><br>Born and raised in middle Tennessee, they are a multi-ethnic Asian American (Thai-Lao-Chinese) and are nonbinary. They graduated with a B.A. in Foreign Language (Spanish), B.S. in Biology (Organismal Biology and Ecology), and M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision (Higher Education) from MTSU. They hold the rank of 4th dan in Wado Ryu karate through the United States Eastern Wado Ryu Karate Federation (USEWF). Their research interests are in Southeast Asian American communities and education.

Atlas McClintick (they/them)

Atlas McClintick is a double major in animal science and general science at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). They are a half-Vietnamese Genderfluid student interested in attending veterinary school. They hold the position of Vice President of the Pre-Vet Society at MTSU.

Heather Moser (they/them)

Heather Moser works at Northern Virginia Community College in the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Intercultural Center. Funded by an AANAPISI Grant, NOVA’s AAPI Center fosters student success through initiatives such as an AAPI-focused peer mentorship program; college-wide events aimed at promoting AAPI identity, culture, and experiences; consultation for staff and faculty regarding culturally relevant pedagogy; existence as a physical entity on campus for students to congregate and share space; and more. In their role, Heather supports and facilitates all AAPI Center initiatives alongside the leadership of the Center’s director.

Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Heather identifies as AAPI (mixed race Japanese American) and as trans/non-binary, and they graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Anthropology, East Asian Studies, and Asian Pacific American Studies. They recently completed a Career Studies Certificate (C.S.C.) in Public History and Historic Preservation at Northern Virginia Community College, finishing the program with a historical research project on AAPI populations in Northern Virginia.

Anonymous Participant

Jackie Shane was one of music’s pioneering Black trans performers. On the edge of stardom, why did she disappear? Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story hands the mic over revealing her extraordinary journey, in her own unmistakable voice. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27351762/; trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnlvygHhqrM)

Produced and distributed by the National Film Board of Canada.

T. Minton (they/them; moderator)

T. Minton is a writer, educator, musician, and historian who holds a B.A. in Sociology from Belmont University (2008) and an M.A. in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University (2021). Their M. A. Thesis on the development of the Chitlin’ Circuit in Middle Tennessee has been presented for the Tennessee Historical Society and was also consulted during pre-production for the film ANY OTHER WAY (2024). Minton currently works for the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee, where they lead education and engagement programming about local, state, and national film and cinema history. Their book about Belcourt’s history commemorates the theater’s forthcoming centennial and is currently under contract with Vanderbilt University Press.

Andrenee Majors Douglas

Vonnie Crawford Moore

Linda Williams (she/her)

Linda Williams began her career in the helping field in the 1980s, as an ASL interpreter at Dallas Baptist University and project coordinator for Deaf Action Center in Dallas, Texas. She is the proud mom of three adult children, Philip, Zac and Jamie. She also has three amazing grandchildren.

Linda joined the team at the Center for Health and Human Services at MTSU in 2018 to serve as grant manager for the Mental Health Awareness Training grant. Data shows us that young adults benefit from better mental health support, and this grant has great potential for moving the needle of the mental health experience for college students, here at MTSU. Linda lives in Murfreesboro with her wife, Michelle.

Rio Martinez (he/him; moderator)

Rio Martinez is the President of Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association, MTSU’s all-inclusive LGBTQ+ student organization.

Tamika Mitchell (she/her)

Tamika Mitchell is the Specialist in the Office of Student Care and Conduct at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She began her tenure at MTSU in 2016 within University College before transitioning to the Office of Student Care and Conduct (formerly the Office of Student Conduct) in 2021. With over 15 years of experience in student-focused roles – including residence life, student conduct, student advocacy, and academic advising – Tamika is dedicated to fostering student growth and development.  She is committed to meeting students where they are, challenging their perspectives and behaviors, and providing meaningful support throughout their collegiate journey. 

A Kentucky native, Tamika earned both her undergraduate degree and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Western Kentucky University. She later completed a Master of Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at the University of Toledo.

Outside of work, Tamika enjoys spending quality time with family, traveling, and tackling DIY home projects.

Danielle Rochelle (she/her) – Intercultural and Diversity Affairs

Danielle Rochelle currently works as Director of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs under the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She has worked in higher education for over 10 years, starting her higher education journey as an academic advisor.

She received her undergraduate degree from MTSU before completing her master’s in art therapy at Florida State University; she is now pursuing her doctorate in Assessment, Learning, and Student Success with a concentration in Higher Education at her alma mater, MTSU. 

Danielle and her husband, Chris, share two children, ages 6 and 9, who are both convinced their parents work at the coolest place ever (they visit on fun days). Chris is the Assistant Director at the Daniel’s Veteran Center on campus. In addition to the kids, they also have two dogs, Marbles and River, so the Rochelle household rarely has a dull moment.

Danielle’s love for the field rests with the day-to-day work with students and the ability to assist them in finding their place within the college environment and working towards their full potential. Although working within this field can be a heavy lift, Danielle finds it rewarding and meaningful as there are more good days than not.

Mary Kaye G. Anderson (she/her) – Counseling Services

Dr. Mary Kaye G. Anderson is a licensed psychologist and the director of MTSU’s Counseling Center. She has been a dedicated member of MTSU Counseling Services since 2009. She began as a staff psychologist, was promoted to Associate Director in 2010, and became Director in 2018.

Originally from Michigan, Dr. Anderson earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a master’s in Organizational Communication from Wayne State University. She then completed a combined master’s and doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. A licensed psychologist and health service provider in Tennessee since 2008, she has nearly two decades of experience spanning forensic, school, community mental health, and higher education settings.

Dr. Anderson considers her work with college students to be the most rewarding part of her career. As director, she blends clinical expertise with years of hands-on practice to ensure MTSU students receive compassionate, high-quality care. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, running, basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

Brian Hinote (he/him) – Academic Affairs

Brian Hinote is a Professor of Sociology and serves as Vice Provost for Faculty and Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Provost. Entering his 18th year at MTSU, he currently oversees all matters dealing with the faculty, but he has also worked closely with MTSU students during his time in the Office of Student Success and, more recently, in the Provost’s Office. Today, Dr. Hinote leads many Academic Affairs data and technology initiatives, along with MTSU Online, and works closely with the Office of Institutional Equity & Compliance, Disability & Access Center, and other campus partners. He also serves as affiliated research faculty in the Free Speech Center. Hinote’s research agenda stretches globally from South America to the former Soviet Union to the United States. In addition to clinical and research experience in areas as diverse as pediatrics, neurology, and cell biology, his interdisciplinary work appears in multiple books and peer-reviewed journals in social science, nursing, and medicine. In his time away from the office, Hinote enjoys being outdoors, especially hiking, camping, and backpacking. He also serves as Assistant Scoutmaster in Scout Troop 1108 and coaches youth softball in the Murfreesboro community.

Dr. Andrea Jenkins (she/her) – Professional Counseling

Dr. Andrea Jenkins is an Associate Professor in the Professional Counseling program in the Womack Educational Leadership Department in the Middle Tennessee State University College of Education.

Rick Chapman (he/him) – Health Services

Rick Chapman serves as Director of the Student Health Center. Before joining the staff at MTSU, Mr. Chapman obtained his B.S. in Economics and Finance from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. He attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where he obtained both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Health Administration. Over a period of ten years, Mr. Chapman has been employed at three different hospitals in Kentucky and joined the MTSU Student Health Center in the fall of 2000.

Dr. Eric Clark (he/him) – Health Services

Dr. Eric Clark joined the staff at MTSU Student Health in August of 2004. He completed his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Tennessee Tech University in 1988. After working three years in polymer engineering for Dow Chemicals in Louisiana, he attended LSU Medical College in Shreveport, LA. After medical school, Dr. Clark completed his family practice residency at the University of Tennessee-Jackson Madison County General Hospital. He was in private practice in Murfreesboro for six years before joining MTSU. He is board-certified in family practice.

Host William Langston (he/him)

Dr. William Langston is a psychology professor at Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. Langston is the faculty advisor for Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association (MTSU’s all-inclusive LGBTQ+ student organization). Dr. Langston organizes the LGBT Plus College Conference and is a founding board member of Murfreesboro’s BoroPride celebration. Dr. Langston was recently selected as one of Focus Middle Tennessee’s 40 Over 40 in Middle Tennessee. Dr. Langston received his BA in psychology from the University of Houston in 1989 and his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994. Dr. Langston has been a professor at MTSU since 1997 and specializes in teaching research methodology and cognition. Dr. Langston’s research explores the psychology of belief. As part of his research program, Dr. Langston is a ghost investigator and has visited some of the most haunted places in the country. In his spare time, Dr. Langston enjoys stand-up comedy and can routinely be seen bombing at local open mics.

KyKy Crandall (he/him)

KyKy Crandall is the Historian for Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association, MTSU’s all-inclusive LGBTQ+ student organization.

Dr. Jessica Gaby (she/her)

Jessica Gaby is a proud mother and an assistant professor of psychology at Middle Tennessee State University, where her research and university service include a focus on LGBTQ+ advocacy and increasing belonging for individuals of all backgrounds.

Host Eric Hughes (he/they)

A Tennessee native, Dr. Eric Hughes is an alumnus of MTSU, earning his Ph.D. in English in 2021. He is a lecturer in the English department and a faculty member of the Women’s and Gender Studies program at MTSU. His current research focuses on rural queer studies and contemporary AIDS literature.

Michelle Conceison (she/her; host)

Michelle Conceison is an artist manager, professor, and organizer. She founded Mmgt in 2004, a music management and marketing firm.  She teaches management, marketing, and strategic planning at MTSU, where she is Chair of the Department of Recording Industry. Prior to music, she worked in digital media, leading teams at global ad agencies. She served on the boards of Folk Alliance International (former President), International Bluegrass Music Association (former Secretary), Women In Music (founding Nashville Chapter Chair), and is now Global Chair of Mentorship for Women In Music. She is a member of Leadership Music (2024) and Leadership Bluegrass (2019). She holds a BA in English from Tufts, an MBA from Simmons, and is pursuing a Public History PhD at MTSU. Her research fields include music business, popular music studies, LGBT+ and gender studies, change-making, stakeholder analysis, representation, and leadership in music organizations.

Olivia Hill (she/her; keynote)

Olivia Hill is a U.S. Navy combat veteran, public servant, and advocate dedicated to breaking barriers and driving change. With a decade in the Navy and 40 years in the utility industry, she’s built a career on resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to progress.

In 2023, Olivia made history as the first Trans person elected in Tennessee, securing an At-Large seat on Nashville’s Metro Council. Her victory shattered political and societal barriers, paving the way for future LGBTQ+ leaders. As an elected official, she fights for equality, sustainability, and policies that uplift all communities.

Beyond politics, Olivia was named one of the top 100 most influential people in the country by Out Magazine and serves on the Nashville Opera board. She is also a sought-after speaker, sharing her journey through her business, Olivia Speaks. A lifelong cyclist, author, and fierce advocate for civil rights, she champions women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice.

With unwavering determination, Olivia continues pushing for progress, proving that courage and authenticity can change the world.

Tiffany Fee (she/her)

Tiffany Fee co-founded the Rutherford County Library Alliance with her husband in July 2023 and now serves on its board as Founder Emeritus. Originally from Michigan, she has called Rutherford County home for over 20 years. While best known for her work with RCLA, Tiffany is also deeply involved in local politics and made history as the first declared Democrat to run for the Rutherford County School Board in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, spending time with her family and pets, creatively cursing, and taking on the patriarchy—one fight at a time.

Kayla Gore (she/her)

Kayla Gore is a published author, non-profit founder, and social justice advocate.  She has worked for many organizations with a collective mission of elevating marginalized identities and the advancement of rights for those people, including The Transgender Law Center, OUTMemphis, Trans Justice Funding Project, SONG, The Official Black Lives Matter Memphis, Memphis Community Bail Fund, Planned Parenthood, The Transgender Strategy Center, and most notably My Sistah’s House, an organization that breaks down the barriers to homeownership for some of the most marginalized people.

Kayla has presented at many conferences over the past decade, including SXSW, Transgender Health Summit by USFC, Black Trans Advocacy Coalition Conference, USCHA Conference on HIV/AIDS, Creating Change, Middle Tennessee State University LGBT Plus College Conference, Point Source Youth Conference, and Enterprise LGBT Employee Conference.

Turtle (he/him)

Turtle is a transgender musician local to Murfreesboro, TN. He started his music career with the release of his single Cage (T the Year) in hopes of educating people about the struggles of being transgender and promoting acceptance. In addition to music, Turtle worked to promote a sense of community amongst LGBTQIA+ students at Middle Tennessee State University as president of Middle Tennessee State University Lambda Association in the years 2021 and 2022. He also created a community online through his TikTok page, where he posted relatable content, and through the game show he ran called The TurtleTok Games. Currently, Turtle spends his time doing various activities, including designing board games, making dice, ghost hunting, reading, and watching movies.

Dahron Johnson (she/her)

Dahron Johnson, a clinically trained United Church of Christ chaplain, works with an area hospice in grief and bereavement support. She is the Davidson County Committee co-chair for the Tennessee Equality Project—a statewide legislative advocacy organization for LGBTQIA+ Tennesseans. Dahron works closely with the Southern Christian Coalition and serves on the community advisory boards for the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the Program for LGBTQ+ Health at VUMC, and, for 16+ years, the IRB for the VA health system serving middle Tennessee. In addition to testifying before state House and Senate committees on multiple occasions, in January 2024, Chaplain Johnson became the first openly trans person to speak from the floor of the Tennessee House during session. (https://www.edgehill.org/dahron-johnson) Dahron has lived in Nashville for the past 20 years with her wife of 27 years and their child.