Meet the Keynote Speakers
Mandy Carter is a North Carolina Black lesbian with a 55-year movement history of social, racial and LGBTQIA+ justice organizing since 1967. She helped co-found two groundbreaking organizations. Southerners On New Ground (SONG) and the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC). SONG, founded in 1993, integrates work against homophobia into freedom struggles in the South. NBJC, founded in 2003, is a national civil rights organization whose mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ/SGL bias and stigma.Ms. Carter was a keynote speaker at the inaugural BlaqOut Conference in 2014. www.southernersonnewground.org . www.nbjc.org
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| Dr. Jonathan P. higgins |
Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins (DoctorJonPaul) is an educator, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader and media critic who examines the intersections of identity, gender and race in entertainment. Named Business Equality Magazine’s “Top 40 LGBTQ People Under 40”, their work has been featured on sites like Essence, Ebony, Complex, MTV NEWS, Out Magazine, BET & Paper Mag. A Culture Strike 2021 Disruptor and Twitter Spaces Spark Creator, Dr. Higgins is a trailblazer who is finishing the stories their ancestors didn’t get to tell.
Dr. Higgins is currently the Executive Assistant to Colman Domingo & Edith Entertainment and teaches Educational Justice at the University of Redlands. They have worked on several inclusion projects with top brands like Fox, the NFL, Apple, Disney, Instagram, Buzzfeed and most recently completed work on GLAAD’s 2021 HIV Stigma Report. They have also been a featured speaker for TEDx and competed on the latest season of Netflix’s hit show, “Nailed It”. A recent panelist at SXSW (South by Southwest), they are currently working with IHeartMedia via the NextUP Initiative to develop a podcast that gives voice to the Black, fat, queer experience.
They hold a doctorate in educational justice and often write and lecture about what liberation means for Black, queer, fat, non-binary people and how we can help them not just survive, but thrive.
Gabriel Maldonado is the Founder and CEO of TruEvolution, Gabriel Maldonado has led the organization’s efforts for the last eleven years to now include comprehensive HIV prevention and care services, a mental health clinic, and an emergency supportive housing program.
As a former member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS under President Obama, Gabriel works to elevate the representation of minority community-based organizations in state and federal policy priorities. In addition to his work at TruEvolution, Gabriel continues his advocacy serving on regional boards, such as Borrego Community Health Foundation -- the 5th largest federally-qualified health center in the U.S.-- and global organizations such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Bringing a passion for business and consultancy, Gabriel works to advise industry leaders as an advisory board member for ViiV Healthcare, Janssen Therapeutics and Merck & Co.
Gabriel believes that the needs and priorities of marginalized populations should be heard in every room and at every table impacting those communities. What drives Gabriel’s passion is his experiences in witnessing the devastating impacts of the industrialization of poor urban communities. Raised in the City of Compton, Gabriel watched not only his health but the health of his family and neighborhood be affected by the corrosive effects of refineries, smog, logistics and chemical facilities. Gabriel is firmly-rooted in advancing the quality of life and human dignity of people of color in the LGBTQ+ experience.
Toi Thibodeaux is the founder of The BlaqOUT Conference! Toi Thibodeaux has served as the Assistant Director for the LGBT Resource Center at UC Riverside since 2008, and is the current co-chair for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on LGBT Students, Faculty & Staff. In addition, Toi was appointed to serve as a committee member for the University of California Office of the President Task Force & Implementation Team on LGBT Climate & Inclusion from 2012-2014. From 2013-2014, Toi was invited to serve on the Congress of the United States, House of Representatives 41st District LGBT Advisory Committee for Congressman Mark Takano. In 2018, Toi was a recipient of the “Woman of Distinction” award by Jose Medina, California State Assembly Member and Chair of the Higher Education Committee.
Toi is available as a resource for all students, staff, and faculty to provide educational programming and training that contributes to student success, community-building and creating a safe, inclusive campus environment. Toi is a role model for queer students of color across the nation. Toi also spends hours working with LGBTQ and questioning students daily in a one-on-one capacity and has great insight into the concerns and needs of this student population.
Toi is an experienced consultant and cultural competency educator for non-profit organizations, healthcare agencies, and multiple colleges thought out the nation.
Toi Thibodeaux holds a B.S. in Health Care Management and M.S. in Health Services Administration from California State University, San Bernardino.
Featuring a virtual performance by Amber St. James
Amber St. James is the African Bearded, death dropping, cartwheeling, split queen known for her revolutionary activist work in and out of drag and her entertaining high energy performances she is also the First Ever San Diego Mx.Gay and the first ever Mx International Pride both of which being gender neutral titles in the International Imperial Court System and the Imperial Court De San Diego. She is also known for her amazing work building and sustaining the drag community at San Diego State University.
BlaqOUT Mini Summit
Saturday, May 14, 2022
12:00pm PST.
(Zoom Link Coming Soon)
The one-day summit is a way to get people ready for the next Annual BlaqOUT Conference happening in-person. A wishful thought brought up by students in a caucus space while attending another conference,
IS NOW A REALITY!!!!
The conference is designed to create a networking, empowerment and critical community building opportunity for folks within the Black/African Diaspora and LGBTQIA+ community.
This BlaqOUT Mini Summit will feature a number of BlaqOUT alumni keynote speakers. ALL are welcome to attend this online event from undergraduate and graduate scholars, staff, faculty, community members and activists. The BlaqOut Mini Summit is FREE to attend.
