Queer Changemakers

Dr Ashley Elliot, or Dr Vivid, she/her,  is changing the world by supporting people in their mental health journey in clinical settings as well as through her social media, community events, and other offerings. She brings her unapologetically Black, queer, female & DC-native identities to support better and safer experiences in healthcare, life and community.

Dr. Vivid also serves as Chief Inclusivity Officer, for Spark Social House, the only queer non-alcoholic bar, cafe, and social house in the country. 

In this conversation, we talk about her journey into mental health, perspectives of life in DC over the years, and themes of authenticity and community. 

Dr Vivid is hosting an event to talk about Sex, Love and Relationships on Saturday May 24, during World Pride and Black Pride. Followed by A Sapphic Social at Spark. 

You can connect with Dr Vivid in the following ways:

Learn more about Spark Social: https://www.instagram.com/sparksocialdc/ 

Paul Marengo is changing the world through consulting and fundraising with a variety of non-profits. As CEO of Promethean Fundraising, Paul has worked with a number of film festivals, arts organizations and LGBTQ+ non-profits in the DC area and beyond. 

In this conversation, Paul shares his journey from New York to DC as well as his love of travel. We also discuss the importance of community, travel, and pride.

Finally, we look forward to World Pride 2025 taking place in DC, and we highlight the new DC LGBTQ+ Center, which just opened in DC. Learn more about World Pride here and find information about the DC Center here. 

You can connect with Paul in the following ways:

J. Henry is changing the world through music focused on love, authenticity and knowing we are enough. 

In this conversation, we talk about his journey into hiphop and music, creativity, and self-acceptance. He discusses the transformative power of love in his music, his unique wedding experience, and his album "Love J. Henry."

Check out his album on Spotify or Apple.

You can connect with J. Henry in the following ways:

Justin Ayars, he/him, is changing the world through his current startup EqualityMD— a tech-enabled healthcare platform for LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, businesses, nonprofits, professional organizations, and universities. This low-cost healthcare alternative includes a network of providers who have all received cultural competency training, to understand the needs and concerns of our LGBTQ+ community, as well as mental health services and free or massively discounted prescriptions.

To learn more about what EqualityMD offers check out this short video: https://tinyurl.com/2uza8f87

To learn more about Justin, his journey, and EqualityMD visit: https://gaingels.com/justin-ayars

In this conversation, Justin A. shares the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial journey, and the importance of combining purpose and profit. We also discuss navigating life in 2025 and living intentionally. 

You can connect with Justin A. in the following ways:

Raj Korpan is changing the world by championing inclusivity in the field of robotics and AI. 

He co-founded the Queer In Robotics organization in 2023, to uplift projects and build community for Queer people in the robotics field.

In this conversation, we talk about a variety of projects Raj is working on. We discuss themes of community building, ethical AI, and the necessity of human-centered research. 

Raj Korpan is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY) and an affiliated Doctoral Faculty in Computer Science at The Graduate Center, CUNY. He directs the Trustworthy, Intelligent, and Explainable Robotics (TIER) Lab. The TIER lab’s long-term goal is to develop intelligent robot systems for social good.

You can connect with Raj in the following ways:

Learn more about Queer in AI: https://www.queerinai.com/ 

Magda Stegda, she/her, is changing the world by advocating for trans-inclusive workplaces. 

In this conversation, we talk about her career in HR and life journey.  We discuss themes of inclusion in business, supporting marginalized communities, and the importance of mentorship and seeing the beauty and value in others, even if people may not see it fully in themselves. 

Magda shares vulnerable stories of her personal journey and has a heart for creating safe and supportive environments for transgender individuals in personal communities as well as in professional spaces.

You can connect with Magda in the following ways:

**This is our first replay episode, in honor of Transgender Week of Visibility and Action **

Josie Caballero, she/her, is changing the world through professional Trans advocacy. She performs multiple roles with a few different hats advocating for trangender rights, dignity and LGBTQ+ equality. 

In this conversation, Josie shares her journey from a conservative upbringing to becoming a progressive leader. We discuss themes of resilience, community support, the power of representation and also reminders of the need for self-care we continue the fight for rights. 

Josie's dedication to her work in voting rights, veteran services, and policy advocacy showcases her incredible impact in uplifting the trans community.

Learn about Advocates for Trans Equality - transequality.org

Learn about the Transgender American Veterans Association - transveteran.org/

Follow Josie’s upcoming YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@politicalforecast-jrc 

Connect with Josie on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-caballero-2075865a/

Michael continues to share his story, journey and perspectives in part 2 of this conversation. 

In this conversation, we talk about themes of gratitude, resilience, and the importance of unity within the LGBTQ+ community.

We talk about diversity, the value of hard work, pride (both good and bad), and our relationships with church. We also talk about his work with the Rainbow History Project and a number of DC black LGBTQ+ pioneers who Michael has collaborated with and befriended over the years. 

It was truly an honor to have this conversation with a wise elder, and it gives me some extra hope as we continue to fight for our community, our rights to exist and live with dignity. 

You can connect with Michael (Robert Vanzant) on FaceBook.

Sampson McCormick, He/Him, is changing the world through black queer comedy, storytelling and speaking his truth. He is a a DC native, a stand up comedian for over 20 years, and also a actor, producer and director.

In this conversation, we talk about his journey in comedy and media over the past 24 years. We discuss themes of perseverance, community activism, and creating space for black queer voices. 

The discussion also touches on the significance of media, bridging societal gaps through uncomfortable conversations, and a hopeful vision for the future renaissance of the black and LGBTQ+ communities.

You can connect with Sampson in the following ways:

You can also stream 2 of his films, Love the One You’re With and Party N Play, on Amazon Prime.