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Welcome to We Are You Campaign
FOUNDER, CEO AND PRESIDENT STAN AROLA-JOHNSON (He/Him)
Stan is an African-American transgender male who has an unrelenting passion to unite the Black African Diaspora LGBTQIA+ community with the diversity of the Black African Diaspora heterosexual community and all of society.
Stan has over 30 years background in telecommunications management of customer sales and service teams, as well as managing call centers. He spent time traveling to different parts of the country as a Trainer, including developing training materials.
Stan is not new to the nonprofit community, as he sat on the board of The Greater Phoenix Urban League, The (then) Chandler/Gilbert Valley of the Sun United Way, The Alliance of Black Telecommunications Employees, one n ten and is currently a member of the Black Board of Directors Project.
We Are You Campaign is here to broaden the mindsets of people by showing the oneness and sameness of our diverse LGBTQIA+ Black African Diaspora community and provide education on the value that we all share.
Though our target is the LGBTQIA+ Black African Diaspora community, we see the challenges, the concern, the hurt and pain that stretches out to other LGBTQIA+ communities. We are here for the uniting of society as a whole.
WE ARE YOU!
Shawnte Rothschild - Vice President (She/They)
Shawnte Rothschild, Vice President of the We Are You Campaign
Shawnte Rothschild (she/her) stands at the vibrant intersection of advocacy, leadership, and literature. As the Vice President of the We Are You Campaign, Shawnté brings a wealth of experience in healthcare management and a fervent passion for diversity and inclusion. Her commitment to enhancing corporate culture, operational efficiency, and civic engagement is unwavering.
A seasoned leader, Shawnte champions the philosophy of "Empowering People to See The Power in Themselves." As the Founder and CEO of The Rainbow Connection, she spearheads initiatives that promote inclusive environments and diverse representation, aiming to foster positive and enduring changes across both corporate and social landscapes. Her extensive experience in client relationship management and team leadership is complemented by an academic foundation in business and diversity.
As a queer woman of color, Shawnte's personal and professional experiences profoundly shape her approach to leadership. She is dedicated to empowering individuals, advocating for legislative changes, and driving impactful transformations, ensuring that every endeavor she undertakes is both inclusive and effective.
Matteo DiBiase-Dupre - Treasurer (He/Him)
Matteo DiBiase-Dupre
Matt is a Native American from Southeast, Louisiana. Being born on the bayou, Matt has seen his fair share of injustices. Which is why Matt has been committed to Community for All! Matt has spent most of his life dedicated to Building new relationships and a Better Community for All People. Matt understands the importance in bridging the gap that has Created so much division. Matt’s passion is to bring a Unity to the Heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ community it’s between the Heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ community, as well as other marginalized groups. Matt has been headset strong in his determination to ease invisible lines that separate people, by simply focusing on the very thing that connects us all, The Human Aspect! Matt’s background is in 17 years as a union carpenter, with a focus on OSHA safety. As well as 19 years as a Freight Operator, focusing on DOT Safety and Education! Safety being the most critical component in ensuring everyone gets home to their families safely. More importantly, Matt has had the opportunity to meet people across The United States and listen to their stories and experiences. Just another wonderful opportunity Matt has been afforded to understand that we are not so different after all. Matt has never met a stranger. And finds it very easy to communicate with people, no matter who they are, or how they identify. That is one of his most significant accomplishments.
Kathleen Arola-Johnson - Secretary (She/Her)
Kathleen Arola-Johnson, Secretary
Teacher. Artist. Learner. Kathleen Arola-Johnson (she/her) is the Secretary of the We Are You Campaign. Kathleen comes from a family of educators and taught in the Arizona public school system for over twenty years. She is the 2010 Arizona Elementary Art Educator of the Year and taught in the elementary school classroom before arriving at K - 8 art. Kathleen presented at Arizona Art Education Association state conferences and district professional development sessions. She is the founder of Creative Solace Studios, where she teaches online mixed media art to adults. As a National Park Service ranger and an environmental educator, Kathleen also led the public in guided hikes and presented campfire programs across the country.
Kathleen is a member of the LGBT community and is passionate about equality, empowerment, education and creative expression. She believes that art can bring people together, leading them to a deeper understanding of themselves, one another and life. She is especially excited about how art can serve as a pathway to self-growth, wellness and positive mental health. Kathleen holds degrees in English and Justice and Peace Studies, as well as Elementary Education and Art. Her personal interests include art journaling and nature journaling in handmade books, jewelry making, writing poetry, and playing eclectic musical instruments such as steel tongue drums. Kathleen is a lifelong learner who encourages others to explore life and themselves, discover their unique niche in the world and find joy in the gifts that each day brings.
Dr. Brandon Respress Board Member
Dr. Brandon Respress (Mental and Physical Health) Ally
Dr. Brandon N. Respress earned her doctorate (PhD), Post-Master’s certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health and Bachelor of Science (BSN) degrees in Nursing, at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (FPB) at serve University. Prior to returning to Case for her doctoral education, Dr. Respress earned dual Masters degrees at The Ohio State University. There she received her Master of Nursing (MSN) with the specialty of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Health Services Management and Policy.
Dr. Respress completed a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Michigan School of Nursing; and the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA), at the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at UM. The combined fellowships emphasized competencies and principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR), race, culture, research design, and complex survey analyses. Her research uses the social determinants of health framework to examine the effects of prejudice, discrimination and racism on adolescent mental health outcomes, and to understand health and educational disparities.
Dr. Respress formerly sat on the National Advisory Council for Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP), is a Fellow Alumni of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Ethnic Minority Fellowship Program (SAMHSA EMFP), and was a Faculty Associate for the Center for African American Studies (CAAS). Currently, she is serving as the Chair of the Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP) Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) for the American Psychological Association (APA), and a mentor to IMFP Fellows.
In addition to her academic work, she continues to show leadership within her community and dedication to well-being of youth locally and globally. Dr. Respress has been in leadership positions as a provider and coordinator of healthcare services in Ghana, West Africa and Kuxeb, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Currently, she is working as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at her practice, Tolcasu Mental Health and Wellness, in Dallas, Texas and virtually in Sheridan, Wyoming, in which she sees clients for therapy and medication management.
Honorable Deborah Ann Begay Board Member-they/their/two spir
Honorable Deborah Ann Begay
Honorable Deborah Ann Begay is an enrolled member of Navajo Nation. She is Nakai Dine’é born for Kinyaa’áanii. Maternal is Dził tł’ahnii, Paternal for Tódích’íi’nii. Deborah is a public speaker and published non-fiction writer and poet, a mother of three beautiful children, and an entrepreneur. She is currently finishing her term as Justice of the Peace of Moon Valley. She was the first Native American elected into the Maricopa Justice Courts in 2020. She is also a Navy Veteran.
Deborah Ann is the owner and founder of Sisnajiini Consulting. She was born in Gallup, New Mexico. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Native American Studies from UC Berkeley and her Juris Doctorate from ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, with a concentration in Federal Indian Law.
Deborah is very passionate about raising awareness of the LGBTQ+ communities. She identifies as Two Spirit. Deborah loves to laugh, drink coffee, hike, evolve, but most of all, she loves to live and to share this love with her children.
Kimberly Zaire Jordan Board Member (She/Her)
Kimberly Zaire Jordan
Hello my name is Kimberly Zaire Jordan. I am a activist and advocate for transgender individuals. I am a transplant from the Midwest who relocated to Arizona in 2016 and have been here ever since. I started my personal and professional journey in 1994 , I first got into activism by volunteering for an agency in Michigan called Affirmations. I went on from there to help establish the first Intercity transgender support group under the Ruth Ellis Center called “Ruth Angels” in the early 2000's. Under the Ruth Ellis Center umbrella is where I received most of my experiences and training throughout my career.
After leaving the Ruth Ellis center I continued my education by enrolling in Paralegal and Criminal Justice school trying to reach my end goal of becoming an international attorney. Moving to Phoenix in 2016 trying to still do the work here was difficult. I ran into discrimination from everywhere, from the LGBT community & the black community it seemed as if no one wanted to hear from the black transwoman in our community. So I took a break from trying to help others and started working on myself completing different programs, training & seminars.
There is a quote by Laverne Cox that I love, “Black women are not often told that we're beautiful unless we align with certain standards. Trans women certainly are not told we're beautiful. Seeing a black transgender woman embracing and loving everything about herself might be inspiring to some other folks.” I am a Black Transwoman, I am beautiful, I am strong, I am passionate and I am inspiring. I joined the first ever incorporated trans sorority that was just for women like myself called Kappa Iota Sigma Incorporated in 2020. Where I am the Supreme Tamiouchos.
The mission is to exact change through societal awareness, community service and advocacy for Equality for all transgender women of all religions, races and ages. My passion is working for change, equality and a better world for women of the trans experience. I was a member of the MCSO LGBTQ Board. I am currently a board member of TSAZ and an Administrator of Black Transwomen of AZ
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