Join Us!
THIS PLIGHT IS NOT OUR OWN AND WE UNIFY WITH ALL MULTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Education and Support Group every 1st and 3rd Wednesday 6:00PM -7:30PM.
Email stan@we-areyou.org for the virtual link.
Help Our Cause
Your contribution helps us champion this vision by funding vital programs, advocacy efforts, and community initiatives that recognize, value, and uplift marginalized voices.
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.
Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition BIPOC Committee Chair
and
Appointed Arizona NAACP West Valley Executive Committee LGBTQIA+ Chair
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.
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 -Ally
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
My name is Kimberly Zaire Jordan. I am a 51-year-old post-operative trans woman, originally from Detroit and proudly based in Arizona since 2016. I currently serve on the board of Trans Spectrum of Arizona and The We Are You campaign. I’m passionate about advocacy, visibility, and supporting the transgender community. Thank you for the opportunity to be here.
DAVID MCDONALD BOARD MEMBER (HE/HIM)
David McDonald
David McDonald is artist originally from Minnesota. After studying film and English at Hofstra University in New York, David first worked at Calvin Klein, followed by a 15-year stint at Hearst Magazines as Production Manager one various magazines, most notably Marie Claire. Always a creative individual, after leaving Hearst David began making art full time under the name Davis McDavis. Primarily focusing on pet portraits, he has also created portraits of various humans from movies and TV. David currently splits his time between New York and West Hollywood, along with his husband Evan and their beloved child, Victor, who is a cat.
As a white gay cisgender man, David knows from history that he owes his freedom to the transgender women of color who first fought for the rights of the entire LGBTIA+ community at Stonewall. David believes we are stronger when we are working together, when we recognize that we are all unique individuals who share common goals. He joins the board as an ally to help further the goals of the organization.
CHARISMA MEADOWS (SHE/HER)
Charisma Meadows
Charisma is a dedicated community advocate committed to uplifting individuals through compassion, connection, and access to resources. Charisma studied Sports Medicine at Chandler Gilbert Community College and brings a strong foundation of care and wellness into their work. As a certified Peer Support Specialist, with experiences as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) and Case Manager, Charisma has supported individuals navigating recovery, mental health challenges, and homelessness. Through hands-on outreach and a heart for service, Charisma continues to create safe, inclusive spaces where people can heal, grow, and thrive.
Charisma is one of the founders of We Feed the People With Love, a community-led nonprofit rooted in compassion, connection, and lived experience. With a background in behavioral health and case management, Charisma brings both professional knowledge and real-world understanding to the work, creating meaningful impact in those experiencing homelessness and navigating recovery.
Through We Feed the People With Love, Charisma helps lead outreach efforts that go beyond providing meals - focusing on building trust, restoring dignity, and creating safe, supportive spaces for healing. Their approach is hands-on and heart-centered, grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and supported without judgment. Deeply committed to giving back, Charisma continues to be a strong advocate in the community, using their voice, experience, and leadership to inspire change and remind others that transformation is always possible.
Welcome to We Are You Campaign!
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