Piece of Mind

Robin is the founder and former Executive Director of True Colors, Inc.  The recipient of numerous State and National awards, Robin has co-authored two books, a book chapter and several articles on LGBTQ+ youth and is considered a nationally recognized thought leader. She is an adjunct professor at Central Connecticut State University, teaching Intergroup Communications, Human Sexuality and Social Work with LGBTQ+ Clients.  She was recently appointed by Connecticut’s Governor Lamont to the Hate Crimes Commission.

Ace has been an educator and advocate for the past twenty years. Through his company A.C.E (Awareness through Communication & Education) LLC, he has worked with a wide variety of organizations, religious forums, K-12 schools, colleges, corporations and nonprofits. He has delivered a vast array of workshops, speeches, and consultations on diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. Ace uses his experience as an openly queer Black trans man to personalize his workshops, and uses his curiosity, empathy, and humor to create content tailored to each unique audience. He is dedicated to continue working to eliminate ignorance and empower people throughout Connecticut by creating ‘Confident Conversations’ around topics like suicide prevention, LGBTQ+ awareness, safer sex and consent, sexism and gender, and religion and spirituality.

Ms. Rattray joined the center in 2020 as their Education and Outreach Coordinator. Rashida’s professional experience is rooted in foreclosure prevention and mitigation counseling as well as legal administration. In her previous work as a housing counselor, Rashida assisted over 40 families gaining positive outcomes while going through foreclosure. She also has a strong background in community engagement that was fostered by her work for the City of Waterbury. At the Center, Rashida facilitates outreach to a multitude of different stakeholders by planning and executing fair housing trainings, maintaining the Center’s social media channels, and brainstorming new ways to connect with the people we serve. She is actively pursuing her passion for advocating for people in all she does. She is currently enrolled at Trinity College as a Sociology major.

Rev. Todd is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and Assistant Teacher at Boundless Way Zen Temple. He is an author and leadership coach who works with individuals, teams, and organizations in creating new, life-giving futures. He has been engaged in professional ministry for over 25 years serving congregations in the midwest and northeast, leading them to become more welcoming of and engaged with the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2013 he was a part of the movement to bring marriage equality to Rhode Island. He is currently serving as Designated Term Transitional Pastor of First Church of Christ in Saybrook (CT). He is married to Rev. Nicole Grant Yonkman, Senior Minister at First Church in Windsor. They have two adult daughters, three house rabbits, and a black lab named Mayleen.

Nichole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Connecticut. She is the founder of Changing FACES llc, a black, female, queer owned therapy practice. In addition, she is an experienced lecturer and trainer on practicing cultural humility in a gender fluid society and transgender homelessness. Nichole is a skilled community organizer who has lead community initiatives i.e. Gunn Square Park Initiative in Springfield, Ma. She is an AmeriCorps VISTA alumni who aided in the development of literacy programs with United Way of Eastern, CT. She has supported several populations throughout her professional career to include early childhood, teen parents, mentoring, juvenile justice and substance use. What she is most passionate about is supporting the transgender community. Changing FACES is committed to being an ally and advocate for the gender expansive community. Nichole's goal is to create a sense of safety and resilience for gender expansive individuals. As an affirming gender therapist, she works exclusively with gender expansive clients, to help enhance skills that encourage sustainable personal growth both in the therapeutic setting and in the community.

As a therapist and advocate I am deeply committed to helping Black & Brown people heal from trauma. This often means confronting and examining the intersectionality of isms & identities while being aware that many people in LGBTQIA plus community experience invisibility. I obtained my Master’s Degree In Social Work, from University of Connecticut where I minored in Black Studies in 2009. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Central Connecticut State University. I have been providing therapeutic services to people of color as a social worker for over 15 years and have been. As a licensed clinical social worker with Quality Counseling, I specialize in helping People of color heal from trauma through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, one of the most effective treatment modalities for trauma recovery. In my work as a therapist and advocate, I help people become empowered around their identity and heal from the trauma that can be compounded by facing multiple isms. Black and Brown people who identify as LGBTQIA, in addition to facing racism, often experience exclusion and oppression based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Crowley is a social equity consultant, spoken word poet, animal lover, and avowed satanist. He is also a neurodivergent first-generation academic with a passion for advocacy and education with a penchance for dark humor. He is the proud co-parent of 4 dogs and 3 cats. His identities are at the axis of race, gender, neurodivergence and Sexuality and he wouldn't have it another way.

Lindsay served as a co-chair to outCT’s LGBTQ youth group from 2016-2021. Through education and social engagement, she developed and grew the activities associated with the youth group to better address the needs of LGBTQ youth as well as advocated the need for their visibility within the larger LGBTQ community and communities beyond. During this time she had the privilege of serving on outCT’s board for several years, being one of the keynote speakers at the 2019 NERP conference in New Hope, PA, as well as co-directing the 2021 NERP conference that was hosted by out CT, focusing on community inclusion and growth.