Growing up, I always knew that public service was important to me. From elementary school on, I was always as involved as possible. I started a little broadcast in fifth grade, reporting on our class news. In middle school, it was the student council. I served as class president and school board representative all four years in high school, and I attended Badger Boys State. I always valued an open communication style, except when it came to one thing—being gay.

Finding one’s self through adolescence is not easy for anyone. Stressors come from all around you—friend groups, academics, sports, clubs, family, and so on. And trying to hide a part of you—a big part of you—is an exhausting task. Knowing early on that I wanted to serve somehow, I thought the only way I could do so successfully was in the closet. That all changed when I realized that those who meant the most to me did not change their view of who I was based on my sexuality when I came out. That and a lot of processing of the years of hiding who I was.

Fast forward to moving to a primarily white small town as an out minority with my husband, it may have been easy to revert to the practice of hiding who I was—at least the parts I could hide. I took a different route. I decided to run for local office as my authentic self. I had to consciously decide to be fearless in presenting myself as who I truly am to a community that may reject me for whatever reason. No more hiding my sexuality. It was time to be proud.

In the end, being authentic won. Taking the high road won. I won. And now, I get to serve my community as a representative of minority groups and the LGBTQ community.

As a recently elected school board member in my community, I am excited to bring LGBTQ representation to a community where it has been less common in leadership roles. In a time when it is too easy to judge one another hastily, we need positive, forward-thinking people in leadership positions to be role models for the next generation.

Inclusivity is top of mind during every conversation for me on the board—this is a priority of mine. From discussions on free and reduced lunch to ensuring every student has the equal opportunity for unique learning experiences to reviews and approval of curriculum, it is more important than ever that we consider historically underrepresented groups to provide a more equitable learning environment for all.

In my day-to-day work, I oversee internal communication at the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Although diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have been under attack by some in our state legislature, it is important work to bring employees together to better understand each other’s culture—our values, attitudes, and beliefs—to be better co-workers to serve the UW community.

2024 Pride in Color

The Visionary: Afra Smith amplifies lived experience and empowers financial freedom through The Melanin Project.

The Public Servant: Jesus Rivera works to bring needed representation as the only minority and openly LGBTQ+ member on the School District of Cambridge Board of Education.

The Advocate: DeShanda Williams-Clark is a trailblazing advocate for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, sexual exploitation, and crisis in the Milwaukee community.

The Defender: Erica Lopez is the Executive Director and Staff Attorney at the Peoples Law Center | Centro de Derecho de la Gente (PLC).