Folks, this episode is jam-packed! We begin with our normal chat, which segues into conversations with some incredible individuals. We first meet Elaine Montilla, Founder of 5x Minority, and Assistant Vice President and CIO for Information Technology at The Graduate Center, CUNY, a Forbes Technology Council member and contributor, a TEDx Speaker, and an AMA Women’s Leadership Center presenter AND a place on Yahoo Finance's 2021 OUTstanding 100 LGBT+ Executives list. The list showcases leaders who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces. A pioneer by any other word, much like our beloved Ruthie. How did we even find this amazing human, you ask? Much like this episode and interview, she was brought to us by the wonderful folks of @Cadillac and their #AudacityofMe Campaign (video link below).

Then Elysia has some insightful conversations with three Ruth Ellis Center family/staff members to reflect on #TransAwarenessWeek // #TransDayofRemeberance - on this mini-episode Voices of REC. While Nazarina shares some history on the day and why it is such a critical period for us as an organization, Elysia talks to our future and learns what they are doing to ensure transgender young people feel safe and supported no matter where they go.

Our abundant gratitude to Latrice Ward, Harmony Harris, and Elijah Earnest for sharing their time, energy, and experience with you and for all their diligent work in and for the community. Special thanks to @TransSistasofColorProject & @NuiiWaavBrotherhood for creating affirming spaces and families for our trans siblings here at REC, in Detroit/Highland Park, and beyond. Many thanks to @PFLAG and Gwendolyn Ann Smith for co-founding this important event.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Elaine Montilla | 5xminority
CUNY Profile: Elaine Montilla | CUNY School of Professional Studies | CUNY SPS
Ted Talk: The Value of Mentoring Women and Minorities in Tech | Elaine Montilla | TEDxChelseaPark - YouTube"
Cadillac Campaign: Audacity of Me 

Nuii Waav Brotherhood
www.NuiiWaavBrotherhood.org
Elijah Marques
[email protected]

Trans Sistas of Color Project
https://www.facebook.com/TSCOPD/

Fair Michigan
https://www.fairmichigan.org/

Julisa Abad
Director of LGBTQ Outreach and relations & Victim Advocate
313 658-5534 / [email protected]

W'SUP - WSU Prevention Team
https://linktr.ee/WSUP

Matrix Human Services
https://www.matrixhumanservices.org/

Remembering Our Dead
Remembering Our Dead (translivesmatter.info)

PFLAG
Transgender Day of Remembrance 2021 | PFLAG

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