Previously, they spent over a decade in higher education in roles that supported and empowered students of color and LGBTQ+ students and communities. They ran the Bonner Program at the College of Charleston— an access to education leadership program that centers service learning and civic engagement in larger social justice contexts. Domenico also directed the ALANA (African American/Black, Latinx, Asian/Asian American and Native American) Cultural Center and LGBTQ Center at Vassar College, was an academic advisor at Bard College, and was the assistant director of the Multicultural Resource Center at Oberlin College in Ohio.

Domenico is one of the co-founders and facilitators of the Transformative Teaching Collective, a predominantly female, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC-owned cooperative that provides social justice education and consultation to non-profit organizations, university faculty and student groups, government organizations, k-12 teachers, volunteer groups, and faith-based organizations. They are also formally certified in social justice mediation from the Social Justice Mediation Institute, UMass Amherst, and has skills in multipartial mediation, facilitation, and conflict resolution.

In their free time, Domenico serves on the boards of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Charleston City Paper, and is an active member and vice president of the Charleston Blockade Rugby Club— the state’s first queer and inclusive sports team. In 2023, they were awarded the LGBT+ Icon Award by the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, a Forty Under 40 honoree by the Charleston Regional Business Journal, and a Jefferson Award by Multiplying Good South Carolina. Most recently, Domenico was a 2024 Forty Under 40 honoree by his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz.

With an extensive background in corporate America, Jessica honed her leadership skills, adaptability, and ability to foster collaboration in fast-paced environments. However, it was in the nonprofit world where her heart found its true calling. She began her journey into community development as the Development Manager for Pride Link, a nonprofit that champions the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Upstate. Her passion for advocacy and inclusion led her to serve on various boards.

Jessica’s influence extends beyond her professional roles. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.  Known for her bold style and positive outlook, Jessica approaches every challenge with energy and enthusiasm.

Currently, as the Deputy Director of We Are Family, having first served as Development Manager, Jessica continues to create meaningful change for South Carolina's LGBTQ+ community. Her relentless drive to make a difference fuels her work, positioning her as a vital force in shaping a more inclusive and supportive future for those she serves.

After graduating from the Art institute of Charleston, his career in the fashion industry took off as he collaborated with industry leaders through design, styling, and production which led him to work alongside partners such as Charleston Fashion Week, Southern Living Magazine, Bravo TV, Nickelodeon Studios, Buzzfeed, NPR, BEAU Magazine, and many others. While working in fashion, he realized how powerful his voice was and started volunteering with We Are Family (WAF), a Charleston based organization that provides direct support to LGBT+ youth. While volunteering he was able to use elements from the fashion industry to empower youth and uplift their voices to be more confident in order for them to thrive unapologetically in the world.

In March 2019, Jonatan officially joined the WAF staff to open up the organization's social enterprise Closet Case Thrift Store. His idea of creating a space where folks could have a gender inclusive shopping experience, while being sustainable, and supporting queer youth led the Closet Case to be a 5-star rated thrift store and a staple in the community. 

Jonatan is an honoree of the Honor41 list and named one of Charleston’s  Best and Brightest 35 under 35 by Charleston Business Journal. He is proud to share his story, which has been highlighted in Univision and Hola News, in the hopes it will fuel younger generations to keep moving forward and to take action to do their part to create the world we want to live in. His passion for helping youth find their purpose extends into the classroom where he teaches with YoArt Inc. as an adjunct teacher. He also shares his skills by providing support to other organizations throughout the nation such as Latinos in the South, FWD.US, ACLU and many others. Seeing the positive direct impact of his advocacy and social work fuels his mission of creating Queer Southern Magic. 

During his free time, Jonatan can be found shopping, hanging out with his friends, or at home with his husband and fur babies Yuki, Milo, and Chip working on one of his many DYI projects.

Click here to watch Jonatan’s Creating Mornings presentation, “What PRIDE means to me”.

Her work spans across roles dedicated to empowering children, adolescents, and their families. She began as a Registered Behavioral Technician, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with youth on the autism spectrum. This early experience fostered a passion for understanding behavior and embracing the unique strengths and needs of individuals.

Today, Chandler continues this mission through her thriving therapy practice, where she works with youth, adolescents, and their parents. She is committed to helping families navigate challenges, strengthen connections, and foster growth. Driven by a deep commitment to social justice, service, and integrity, Chandler approaches her work as a social worker with compassion, empathy, and a focus on long-term positive impact.

As a veteran, DeeDee brings a unique perspective to her role, combining disciplined efficiency with innovative approaches to streamline operations and drive success. DeeDee’s leadership style is characterized by her dedication to team development. She is passionate about empowering her colleagues, leveraging her experience to guide and inspire others toward achieving their professional goals.

DeeDee has had three brain surgeries in the past three years and still has a passion for life and giving back to the community. She enjoys the simple things in life such as puzzles, books, music, and poetry. Her creative journey is defined by an insatiable curiosity and a commitment to authenticity. DeeDee's work reflects her deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and her dedication to celebrating individuality. She believes in the power of creativity to bridge gaps and foster connections, using her talents to create inclusive and inspiring experiences. Her ability to navigate change and adapt strategies to evolving business needs makes her an invaluable asset to any organization. Her commitment to service and her unwavering drive for excellence makes her a role model and a respected leader in both her professional and personal spheres.

She spends her free time (that doesn’t really exist) being a football/wrestling/gymnastics/cheer mom, writing poetry, PR consulting, traveling to visit family, binge watching docuseries and dancing around the house. She enjoys being in the mix of culture (especially Black culture) and women empowerment initiatives. Keona loves authentic Mexican street tacos and seafood, butterflies, anything pink and sparkly, and throwing parties. She cannot function in life without her (very thick) agenda/planner.

On top of being a full-time mom, Keona is a full-time student and nonprofit employee. Keona has a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism (2010) and master of arts degree in media management- public relations (2011), both from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Currently, Keona is enrolled as a doctoral candidate for a PhD in human services with a concentration in family studies & intervention strategies at Walden University, where she studies LGBTQ+ and Black family issues. As her educational background shows, Keona is passionate about communications and public relations tactics, and how to merge those things with human services strategies to improve the lives of marginalized communities. A self-proclaimed lifelong learner, Keona tries to find a lesson in any and everything she is faced with. She is dedicated to community service, equity, self-awareness, acceptance, creativity, and love. Keona is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Urban League of the Upstate Young Professionals.

His involvement in the Charleston community was present as he became Bonner leader and volunteered with the afterschool program called Cusabo Scholars and the All of Us Community Center. While interning and volunteering with local organizations his focus was always on youth outreach and education. 

After graduating in 2021, Troy worked as an Education Specialist with the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry where he engaged in various activities that sparked joy, imagination, and wonder to all the children who would visit. It was there that he learned the true value of Queer representation in rural areas and developed a passion for youth advocacy. Today, his passion to connect trans and queer youth to necessary affirming resources is his drive to keep fighting for a safe community for Queer students in the local area to thrive! 

In his personal time, Troy can be found outside in his garden, trying new vegan recipes in the kitchen, or relaxing with his cat, Arlo.