Title: Celebrating Black LGBTQIA Leaders: A Conversation on Lived Experiences, Challenges, and Triumphs in Minnesota

Event Purpose: 

• Highlight the contributions of Black LGBTQIA leaders in Minnesota.
• Educate the audience on the unique challenges faced by Black LGBTQIA individuals.
• Provide a platform for sharing personal stories and triumphs.
• Foster dialogue and community engagement around intersectionality and inclusivity.

Event Description:

As we celebrate Pride, it’s essential to recognize the diverse voices within the LGBTQIA community, particularly those of Black leaders who have often been at the forefront of advocacy and activism. During this event, we’ll outline a conversation that spotlights Black LGBTQIA leaders in Minnesota, shedding light on their lived experiences, challenges, and triumphs. By amplifying these voices, we aim to educate and inspire our audience while fostering a deeper understanding of intersectionality within the LGBTQIA community. 

Date: Monday,15 July, 2024

Time: 2:30pm- 4:00pm

Moderator: Andrea Jenkins

Andrea Jenkins 

Andrea Jenkins is an American politician, writer, performance artist, poet, and transgender activist. She is known for being the first Black openly transgender woman elected to public office in the United States, [3]  since January 2018 on the Minneapolis City Council and as the council's president from January 2022 to January 2024.

Jenkins moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota in 1979 and was hired by the Hennepin County government, where she worked for a decade. Jenkins worked as a staff member on the Minneapolis City Council for 12 years before beginning work as curator of the Transgender Oral History Project at the

University of Minnesota's Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender.

Panelist/Speaker Name: 

Malissa Adams: 

Malissa Adams (MPNA) was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where she was inspired to pursue a career in racial equity. Her passion for equity work is driven by her commitment to leaving the world in a better condition than when she found it. She is known for working with leaders and experimenting with innovative problem-solving approaches. Malissa currently serves as the Equity Director for the Healthcare Administration (HCA) of DHS. 

She is a racial equity expert with over 15 years of experience developing diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) strategies, employee engagement, and providing (DEI) consulting. She is most noted for her straightforward approach and ability to create brave spaces for difficult dialogue.  Malissa also comes with over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit space where she provided direct services and worked as a program manager in a large local nonprofit organization. 

Malissa holds a master’s degree in nonprofit and public administration from Metropolitan State University and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Rasmussen University.

Jason Jackson: 

Jason Jackson currently serves as the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for Minnesota’s Management and Budget (MMB) state agency. Previously Jason held the role of the Diversity & Inclusion consultant at HealthPartners and served as the Director of the Lealtad-Suzuki (Multicultural) Center in the Department of Multicultural Life at Macalester College where he led programmatic efforts centered on social justice that promoted the growth and development of students. Jason has also taught college courses and served as assistant director of the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) for Queer and Trans Life at the University of Minnesota. His work at the University of Minnesota centered on educational efforts for staff, faculty, and students and outreach across the University community. In community, Jason has served in leadership roles for Twin Cities Black Pride and co-founded the Tongues Untied, an BIPOC LGBTQIA social justice group at the U of M. Jason received his B.A. in Communications Studies and M.A. in Organizational Leadership and Policy Development at the University of Minnesota. Originally from Dallas, TX, Jason has resided in Minneapolis since 2008 and lives by the James Baldwin quote “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Brittany McClendon: 

Brittany McClendon (she/her) serves as the talent and culture program lead at DHS. She has a background in recruiting, facilitation, program development, project management, change management, and employee engagement through an equity lens. McClendon-Robinson came to DHS from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) where she managed Enterprise Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and created the first-ever cross governmental and enterprise-wide ERG summit. She also managed enterprise internship and fellowship programming with external partnerships.

Reneka Evans: 

Reneka Evans a proud member of the LGBTQA+ community. Ms. Reneka has provided over 25 years of population health and advocacy for the LGBTQA+ community with a focus on transgender Minnesotans. She’s currently a statewide Community Engagement Planner with Minnesota Department of Health and Lead COVID-19 Community Coordinator/Contract Manager for the LGBTQA+ contractors. She still finds time to give back to the community by serving as Broad of Directors Chair at Hope House of St. Croix, MNclusive State Employee Resource Group’s Pride Planning Committee Member 2024, Gilead has Faith in You- a Faith & AIDS Services Organization Community Outreach Initiative member 2024, Transgender Camp of Minnesota’s Planning Committee 2024, Trans Equity Summit Planning Committee Member 2024, and Membership Advocacy Committee Member 2024.  Ms. Reneka has been recognized for her hard work in communities starting with Minnesota Public Radio as a “Change Maker” late 2023, recipient of Sarah Simmons- MAAAH “Community Services Award” 2022, and she was selected to participate in “Larger Than Life Project” with Rae Senarighi www.instagram.com/smiller555  and she’s also, a fur babe mom.

Always keep in mind “It’s never to late to be happy!”