My passion for the liberation of all oppressed people began in 2016 when I traveled to Standing Rock, ND, to demonstrate in solidarity with the Sioux Tribe against the Dakota Access Pipeline. After returning to my hometown—more than 700 miles away—my awareness of the violence caused by colonialism only deepened. The journey has been a painful healing process. I learned that freedom would come at the cost of every privilege I had been indoctrinated to desire.

I can only tell you so much about my ancestry, as it has been intentionally suppressed by white supremacy. For now, I can confidently say that I am of Afro-Mexican-Mestizo descent. My purpose centers on reviving Indigenous language, traditions, and identity. This work intersects with abolishing systems of oppression by focusing on anti-racism, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and youth liberation.

Born in Rockford, I witnessed injustice perpetuated by those claiming to protect us. This fueled my commitment to creating inclusive environments that prioritize youth autonomy and leadership. It is within these spaces that I hear the loudest calls for accountability.

Most recently, I have been blessed with the opportunity to support programs led by and for marginalized youth in Dane County. In 2023, I joined OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center in Madison to help design and implement the Everstrong program. Developed by the Dane County Youth Action Board (YAB), this initiative addresses youth housing insecurity through a harm-reduction approach. It emphasizes the voices and leadership of young people with lived experiences, ensuring their needs remain at the forefront of community efforts, advocating for horizontal leadership structures and challenging traditional power dynamics.

Beyond my work with OutReach, I use my voice to sing and my body to dance in ritual, ceremony, and worship. This expression connects me to the freedom fighters who came before me. 

We not only resist; we stand up, and we fight back.

Pride in Color 2025

The Community Builder: Micah Ogé leads the efforts to build sustainability and inclusion across industries and through charity work.

The Facilitator: Demi Jo Carr works to center health equity as a platform to spread justice, care, and compassion to those in need.

The Activist: SkyGia Garcia lives her advocacy and is helping address youth housing insecurity through the Everstrong Program.

The Educator: Dr. Mark Long transforms the lived experiences of his social work into uplifting and empowering lessons for his students and mentees.

The Strategist: Solana Patterson-Ramos gives voice to the voiceless and creates change through nonprofit, charity, education, and advocacy work.