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For Pride Month, I’m reflecting on how profoundly the landscape of innovation, social progress, and organizing would look starkly different without LGBTQ+ mutual aid systems, queer theory, and activism. And what it means for me to be a leader of inclusive spaces—inspired by the joy that is so inherent in queer spaces.

Consider the ongoing discussions about algorithmic ethics and artificial intelligence. While some people understand how these systems reflect racial biases, fewer people appreciate the impact of creating algorithms based on a binary perspective. This affects everyone, often in ways that we don’t have the lived experience to understand.

While we watch viral videos of entitled travelers missing flights, In Traveling While Trans*, for decades, the challenges our trans friends face range from invasive pat-downs to outright discrimination, all at the hands of a flawed algorithm. Trans* design leaders, drawing from their own harmful experiences, helped spur an 18 million dollar upgrade of TSA screening algorithms that acknowledge non-binary and gender-nonconforming identities.

Leading to the improvement of the algorithm for those of us living with bigger bodies, body or facial differences, and disabilities, leading to a more dignified and efficient process for all travelers.

Black and Brown queerness, in particular, has had a transformative impact on how I show up as a leader and founder. 

Firstly, it pushed me to continuously seek solidarity with those who share in the struggle for recognition and equality and to radically think about mutual aid and what it means to incorporate it into business models.

Mutual aid is far from a mere buzzword. It is a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ activism, a crucial support system that historically fills gaps left by institutional neglect.

Secondly, learning more about embodied leadership from the LGBTQ+ folx has shown me how to stay connected to my body, a radical act of defiance in a world that often seeks to disconnect autonomy, body, and identity to survive.

This deep bodily connection enables leaders to more attentively listen to their own needs and those of their teams, fostering a culture of holistic well-being and productivity. By respecting the interplay between body and mind, we can make more intuitive and grounded decisions, create spaces that celebrate diversity, and exemplify a more aligned approach to professional and personal life.

Exciting Announcement: Joining the DXD Council

If you missed the news, I’m excited to announce that I have recently joined the DXD Council as an advisor. This council brings together leaders dedicated to diversifying the design field through a multi-prong approach.

🌟 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent event on Decentering Capitalism in Your Business Journey! 🌟

Together, we explored how to transform our business models to prioritize equity, sustainability, and community well-being.

Highlights

• We delved into the concept of generative ownership and its potential to transform traditional business practices.

• We discussed mapping your spheres of control, influence, and change and identifying opportunities to align your operations with their values.

• 💰And why FREE isn’t the answer!! When we give away labor that is not ours to give, we perpetuate a cycle of exploitation, even if the very thing we are exploiting is our own labor!

🌍 Sphere of Change Exercise:

We’ve also provided a link to the Sphere of Change exercise, a powerful tool to help you map out what change looks like for you and turn your intent into action.

📩 Hit reply if you want to receive a copy of this exercise.