Module one
Subject matter expertise in action
This session was facilitated by Language Access Unit Program Manager III Ricardo Romero-Morales and featured a panel of experts from the County and community partners. Panelists answered questions about how their lived experiences has impacted their work in intersectionality, what strategies and programs are utilized to empower the community, and how allies and leaders can better support subject matter experts and those with lived experiences in a more intentional and effective way. They shared personal stories and unique perspectives to inspire attendees to embrace the strengths of their own lived experiences.
Panelists: Amber Siddle-Manas, Daniel Lanzo, Isabella (Isa) Garcia, Rodrigo Garcia-Reyes
Module two
Sex worker health and harm reduction 101
The summit welcomed Robyn Learned, manager of the Drug User Health team of NASTAD, to guide participants in how to better support sex workers in our community. She provided valuable insight to the different narratives around sex work and how words to describe sex work used today is damaging for those in the space. Learned shared a video to help emphasize the message that sex workers need “rights not rescue.” She defined harm reduction and shared how one can confront harmful narratives by connecting to the sex worker community, expanding media consumption, and being self-reflective.
Presenter: Robyn Learned from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Director (NASTAD)
Much Kneaded
A fireside chat with Chef Carlos Pineda facilitated by Program Manager III Maribel Martinez
Chef Carlos Pineda, Director of Hospitality and Culinary Services at Rebekah’s Children Services, shared his work overseeing the Kneaded Culinary Academy and Kneaded Bakery & Catering as a Gilroy native advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Chef Pineda highlighted how the academy provides a safe space for community members to learn and build their own community from within the program. He proudly shared that the program has had 2,300 graduated youths over the last 15 years, with graduates working in award-winning institutions all over the nation. He also hosts the #YESCHEFCARLOS Podcast, a platform dedicated to promoting social and emotional well-being that has reached about 33 countries.
Module three
In our own words - lessons from diverse work experiences
Facilitated by Stanford Assistant Director for University Human Resources Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Bianca Zamora, this session welcomed a diverse set of panelists who shared how they have navigated through their professional spaces with the lens of intersectionality. Zamora shared how “stories of one highlight the conditions of many, although every story is different to each individual.” The panel answered questions about how their experiences as LGBTQ+ professionals shaped their approach to leadership and mentorship in their workspaces, their process of coming out and the role of allies in their workplace experience, and shared advice for LGBTQ+ individuals who are starting their careers or are currently facing challenges.
Panelists: Andrea Horne, Kaila Schwartz, Lyseria Kursave, Ms. Gail Spencer
Module four
Creating Space - Inspiring LGBTQ+ Excellence in Entrepreneurship
In the last module of the event, Professional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Coach Kai Stowers facilitated a conversation with panelists who shared their inspiration that helped them start their journey to entrepreneurship, how they embraced their LGBTQ+ identity and how that supported them in their entrepreneurial journey, the challenges they’ve faced starting new businesses, and how the intersection of DEI contributes to innovation and uncovering market opportunities.
Panelists: Dana TherActivist Johnson, Helixir Jynder Byntwell, Kelly The Barber Hensley
