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LGBTQ LEADERS
40under40
KALIMA MCKENZIE-SIMMS
BY 2030, The leadership and successes of PFLAG NYC Program Manager
schools nationwide will line Kalima Mckenzie-Simms have left an indelible mark on the nonprofit
their hallways with trans organization. During Kalima’s tenure, the Safe Schools Program has seen
and gay pride flags all year explosive growth — from reaching 20 schools to more than 60 middle and
round and “respect for all” high schools in New York City annually. In 2018-19 she helped deliver
will be more than a slogan. presentations to nearly 10,000 students throughout the city. She also
LGBTQ students will feel
seen and safe and will know established a community speakers’ program by recruiting, training and
where and who to go to for supporting over 100 team members representing the true diversity of New SHE, HER, HERS
support within their school Yorkers. Through her leadership, the LGBTQ youth of New York City AGE 28
communities. are receiving valuable support, advocacy and care.
JOSH MILLER BY 2030,
I want to see a fundamental
shift in what it means to be
Visionary Josh Miller transforms lives through art. He uses his photog- inclusive, including:
raphy and collaborative storytelling to celebrate the brilliance and strength People aren’t being
of the LGBTQ+ and Black communities. Through his IDEAS xLab’s misgendered 24/7
HEAL Community Approach, Josh demonstrates leadership for how arts, People don’t feel isolated
artists and culture can drive change. His “One Poem At a Time” initiative because they don’t
replaced a series of billboards in Smoketown, KY, with his photographs of consume alcohol
community and community members paired with single lines of poetry to People don’t have to hide
counter negative and predatory advertisements. The initiative sparked a parts of themselves at
Photo Credit IDEAS xLab shift in the community from being victims of negative messages to an em- work out of fear but can
HE, HIM, HIS powered voice demanding a change in policy around outdoor advertising show up 100%
AGE 31 in their community.
BENJAMIN PEREIRA BY 2030,
LGBTQ+ fans will feel at
home at sporting venues
across the country. Pride
Managing the MiLB league-wide Pride campaign was an ambitious nights will be considered a
project to undertake so early in Ben Pereira’s career, but it empowered mainstay on promotional
him to embrace and leverage his identity for the benefit of other teams. calendars. Ballparks
The campaign was a huge success, the largest Pride celebration in pro- will be as diverse as the
fessional sports. There were 71 activations across 34 states over a span communities they call home,
of five months in 2019 with over 300,000 fans experiencing Pride night. where all fans feel welcome
Ben’s leadership and passion for managing the campaign were integral celebrating every piece of
their identity.
to its success. His ability to authentically share his story as an openly gay
person working in sports allowed his experience and perspective to be an
incredibly valuable resource to their clubs.
Photo Credit @brianjamesgallery
HE, HIM, HIS
AGE 25
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