By Crystal Proxmire
The Arcus Foundation has started a nation-wide leadership training program called Arcus LGBT Leadership Initiative (ALLI), and one of Michigan's community leaders has been chosen to take part. Zach Bauer, executive director of the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center is among the twelve who were selected to receive special training and support to help advance LGBT rights. There were over 80 applicants to the program
ALLI will provide a suite of resources to support this group's ability to reach out to key partners, build effective alliances and develop their professional expertise. The initiative is part of the Foundation's commitment to advance the strength, diversity and effectiveness of U.S. social justice leadership.
They will be placed in a mentorship and peer networking system, go on a goal-setting retreat, and develop an ongoing network of support.
Bauer has managed KGLRC for just under two years, bringing youthful energy to the center. His focus has been on building collaborations within the Kalamazoo community and among community centers throughout Michigan as part of the Community Center Network. He helped secure new sponsorships for Kalamazoo Pride, and has done youth mentoring.
Also chosen for the Arcus program was Wade Davis, an 'out' former NFL player who recently visited Michigan to be part of the Equality Michigan dinner. B. Cole of the Brown Boi Project has also toured the country with a stop in Detroit to talk about transgender men of color.
ALLI participants chosen were: Zachary Bauer, E.D., Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center; B. Cole, E.D., Brown Boi Project; Wade Davis, E.D., You Can Play Project; Ted Farley, E.D., It Gets Better Project; Christopher Paige, E.D., Interfaith Working Group (Transfaith); Malika Redmond, E.D., SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW; Andrea Ritchie, Co-Coordinator, Streetwise and Safe; Chris Sgro, E.D., Equality NC; Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez, Co-Director, GetEQUAL; Joseph Ward, Director & Editor, Believe Out Loud; and Monna Wong, E.D., API Equality Northern California.
The Arcus Foundation is a private grant-making foundation that supports organizations around the world working to advance LGBT rights, as well as conservation of the world's great apes. Founded in 2000 by Jon Stryker, the mission of the Arcus Foundation is to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race, and to ensure conservation and respect of the great apes. The Foundation works globally and has offices in New York City, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Cambridge, UK.
