Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community

Allen aka The Paraclete has always been a very curious person. The most mysterious thing he has ever encountered is us Humans and the world which lives within us.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Gabrielle Antolovich is the Board President, CEO of the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center. Founded in 1981 in response to the repeal of LGBTQ+ housing and employment protections in Santa Clara County, the Billy DeFrank Center began as a two-room storefront in downtown San Jose and quickly became a beacon of possibility for the South Bay’s LGBTQ+ community.

More than four decades later, the DeFrank Center serves thousands each week at its home on The Alameda and through its resource line, connecting LGBTQ+ people of all ages and backgrounds to affirming services across the region, from Foster City to Gilroy.

Named in honor of William Price—also known as Billy DeFrank—an African American drag performer and beloved activist of the 1970s, the Billy DeFrank Center carries forward his spirit of inclusion, love, and generosity. Today, the Billy DeFrank Center remains what it has always been: a safe place to gather, a catalyst for action, and a place to call home.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Matthias Biehl has spent the last eight years driving inclusion and diversity initiatives and helping organizations build healthier, more empathetic working cultures. His work focuses on how people connect across differences, address bias, and create environments where psychological safety and belonging are possible. A large part of his perspective is shaped by lived experience, not just frameworks or theory. Alongside this work, he’s also a solo founder, exploring how technology can support more meaningful human connection beyond our usual bubbles. He speaks openly about empathy as a practical leadership skill, the emotional realities of change work, and what it means to build community with intention. His goal is to encourage more honest, human conversations, at work and beyond.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Lourdes M. Medina is an Advocacy and Communications Associate at the Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network (SIREN). Based in Fresno, California, she brings a strong track record of championing immigrant rights, shaping immigration policy, and advancing community empowerment. She has been a key voice in regional and statewide efforts to expand equity, access, and justice for marginalized communities.

Before joining SIREN, Lourdes served as a Community Organizer with the Dolores Huerta Foundation, where she worked closely with Spanish-speaking migrant farmworkers and immigrant families across Fresno County. Her organizing efforts focused on civic engagement, leadership development, and advocacy for low-income communities. As a first-generation college graduate and an immigrant herself, Lourdes draws from her personal journey to inspire and uplift others navigating similar barriers.

In her role at SIREN, Lourdes has been a strong advocate for meaningful immigration reform. She has played a vital communications role in responding to federal policy changes, including the Biden Administration’s “Parole in Place” program, which she characterized as “a small step of many steps” toward repairing a deeply fractured immigration system.

Affectionately known as “Lulu” by her radio audience, Lourdes also brings more than two decades of media experience as a Content Producer with Radio Bilingüe. Her work in public media has centered on amplifying immigrant voices and delivering culturally relevant programming to Latino audiences across California.

Lourdes is deeply committed to advocating for women, single-parent families, and immigrant communities. Through storytelling, community engagement, and policy advocacy, she continues to be a driving force for social justice and inclusive narratives.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Ken Kunken broke his neck playing football for Cornell University in 1970, leaving him almost totally paralyzed from the shoulders down. After a lengthy hospitalization, Ken returned to Cornell where he completed his undergraduate degree in engineering. Ken then earned a Master of Arts degree at Cornell in education, as well as a Master of Education degree at Columbia University in psychology.

Ken became a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor. He worked for more than two years at Abilities Inc., where he provided vocational and placement counseling to severely disabled individuals.

Wanting to accomplish still more, Ken enrolled in Hofstra University’s School of Law. Ken then worked for more than 40 years as a Nassau County assistant district attorney, where he became a Deputy Bureau Chief.

Ken is married and the father of triplet boys.

“I Dream of Things That Never Were: The Ken Kunken Story” was published in 2023.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Amani Roberts,award-winning music business professor, international keynote speaker and global performer, is a renowned DJ, entrepreneur,, and USA Today’s best-selling author of “The Quiet Storm.” and “DJs Mean Business”. With over 30 years in hospitality and 17 years in the music industry, he’s worked with global brands like Marriott, 7-11, Calendly, and Chartmetric while generating millions of dollars in revenue. A sought-after speaker and co-host of the podcast Adventures in Business, Amani inspires professionals to unlock creativity, take risks, and remain resilient. His expertise has been featured in Forbes, People Magazine, NBC, and Yahoo! Finance.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Known as The Blind Blogger, Maxwell Ivey is a serial online entrepreneur with almost 2 decades experience educating people about the need for and benefits of improving accessibility. 

He has been working with clients for 5 years including serving as the accessibility advisor to PodMatch. 

He has been published in Consumer Reports, writes a regular column for PHP Architect called Barrier Free Bytes, and regularly shares his knowledge with online publications. 

He also has a great origin story of going from carnival owner to amusement park & carnival ride broker to life goals coach and to podcast guest booker before finding his perfect place in accessibility. 

He can share the tools that have allowed him to keep going for so many years. Including inter-dependence, self-determination, determined positivity, honest story telling, and the value of continuing to move forward. 

He has also overcome his fear of singing in public, and has written original songs which he often sings during his podcast, when being interviewed, or when doing public speaking. 

As founder of The Accessibility Advantage his message is that accessibility isn't just about compliance. It's about reputation, innovation, and growth.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e 

Maya Lilly is a producer, speaker, and climate storyteller leading The Years Project, the Emmy-winning media nonprofit redefining how the world understands climate change. With a background spanning documentary filmmaking, environmental science, and performance, Maya brings a rare blend of creative direction and scientific insight to climate communication. Her mission is bold and clear: to use storytelling as a catalyst for justice, empathy, and measurable climate action.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Ben Zingos (he/him) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist who studied at San Francisco State University where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Theatre Arts. His main focus is working in found spaces, using an immersive design methodology he codified during his thesis work, that asks designers to find real world spaces that naturally cry out for a specific play to be brought to life in them, inviting audiences to step into a new and unique theatrical experience with each production he mounts. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Space Pirates Theatre Collective, an L.A.-based nonprofit theatre that utilizes his methodology, and in 2026 will make history as the first American theatre to run a full season of plays in which all performances are radically affordable, while simultaneously paying all cast, creative, crew, and front of house staff a living wage.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

Melanie Buford, Ph.D. (she/her) is a Harvard-trained author, consultant, and organizational social scientist. She is committed to making theory useful for leaders, teams, entrepreneurs, and individuals looking to make changes in their careers. She has worked for a variety of non-profits and universities, including University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, University of Cincinnati, Wesleyan University, Points of Light, Year Up United, and Education Pioneers.

Melanie has published 2 books: Mapping the Future of Undergraduate Career Education (Routledge) - an international effort to evolve career preparation in higher education - and Beyond the Minor: How to Lead for Social Change. Her work has been featured on EdSurge, Puttylike, Truity, and Happen to Your Career.

Melanie received the Kenneth B. Hoyt Career Education Practitioner Award and the Ralph W. Tyler Award for outstanding research and publication in career development. She earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and her Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Melanie began her career in public service in Northern California.

Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e