Michigan LGBTQ+ and Ally Leaders Honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards
Nicole Huddleston and Jeynce Poindexter honored for decades of community service and advocacy
Michigan's LGBTQ+ community has much to celebrate as two prominent leaders, Nicole Huddleston and Jeynce Poindexter, were recently recognized with the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor, officially known as the President's Volunteer Service Award, acknowledges individuals whose volunteer service has made extraordinary impacts on their communities. Huddleston and Poindexter were named as award winners prior to President Trump’s inauguration.
For Huddleston, managing attorney in the Detroit Justice Center's Legal Services Practice and elected Southfield Board of Education member, receiving the notification earlier this year was an emotional moment.
"I got teary-eyed because I don't do it for accolades. I don't do it for any type of award. I do it because it's our survival," Huddleston told Pride Source. "I do it because I feel like it's my duty. I feel like it's my life's passion and my purpose."
The Presidential Volunteer Service Award, established in 2003 by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, honors volunteers who strengthen America's national identity through their service. The program has continued under successive administrations and is now managed by AmeriCorps in partnership with Points of Light.
Both women were recognized through That Girl, a community empowerment organization that evolved from a fashion line into a broader initiative supporting personal development and success across various sectors.
Huddleston has dedicated more than 20 years to advocacy work spanning women's rights, racial justice, workers' rights, immigration and LGBTQ+ communities. Her career began by aiding trauma survivors, which eventually led her to broader advocacy.
"I realized that working to help trauma survivors only tapped a tip of the iceberg," she said. "I started saying, who are our legislators? How can we hold them accountable?"
Her advocacy evolved into fundraising, political engagement and education. Last year alone, she helped raise $10 million to support democratic initiatives and community needs. Her commitment recently led her to Washington, where she advocated for education funding alongside other Black women leaders.
"To be in that space advocating on a national level in Congress, at the Capitol, and somebody like me, it was powerful," Huddleston said of speaking at Rep. Rashida Tlaib's office. "I don't take it for granted."
Poindexter, vice president and co-executive director of the Trans Sistas of Color Project, co-executive director and a Ruth Ellis Center case manager, has long been a fixture in Michigan's LGBTQ+ community. Her work focuses particularly on supporting Black transgender women, a community that continues to face disproportionate violence and discrimination. Recently, Poindexter partnered with the Transgender Law Center to host Black Trans Circles Detroit, bringing together dozens of Black trans women for leadership development and community building.
For both leaders, their recognition comes with a commitment to continue building community and creating pathways for others.
"What made the event beautiful was that I did this event with my sisters," Huddleston said of receiving the award alongside friends, including Poindexter. "We all have different passions, but we have stood by each other and all live different lives, but we live it beautifully interwoven together."
As Michigan faces uncertain political times, these awards stand as a testament to the power of community organizing and resilience.
"I hope that this article encourages people to continue to fight," said Huddleston. "We have to not only get through these next four years, but we have to imagine and think of after — what type of communities do we want? Where do we see ourselves? How do we grow from this? How do we create, communicate and build stronger together?"
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