June 15 & 16 Conference

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Bishop Tonyia Rawls - Freedom Center for Social Justice

Bishop Tonyia Rawls is the Founder and Executive Director of The Freedom Center for Social Justice (FCSJ). Bishop Rawls is a graduate of Duke University and sits on the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches and on the board of the Mecklenburg County Community Building Initiative. Bishop Rawls is the Founding Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church Charlotte and in April 2008, was consecrated as one of the first women Bishops in the Los Angeles-based Unity Fellowship Church Movement’s history. She is Prelate of the denomination’s Southern Jurisdiction. In addition to her work as a spiritual leader and social justice activist, she has been a reviewer for the Journal of African-American Studies and is published in Black Sexualities: Probing Powers, Passions, Practices, and Policies (Released 2010).

Lydia X Z Brown (they/them/theirs/themself or no pronouns) - Writer, public speaker, educator, trainer, consultant, advocate, community organizer, community builder, activist, scholar, and attorney

Lydia X. Z. Brown is a disability justice advocate, organizer, educator, attorney, strategist, and writer whose work has largely focused on violence against multiply-marginalized disabled people, especially institutionalization, incarceration, and policing. They have worked to advance transformative change through organizing in the streets, writing legislation, conducting anti-ableism workshops, testifying at regulatory and policy hearings, and disrupting institutional complacency everywhere from the academy to state agencies and the nonprofit-industrial complex.

A panel discussion with various leaders of community organizations focused on local and national issues of the LGBTQ community. 

Various Panel Speakers - Union County Pride, PM LGBTQ Bar Association, & Carolina LGBTQ Chamber Of Commerce

Candelario Saldana (He/Him) - Pauli Murray LGBTQ+ Bar Association, President 

Candelario is an associate in Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft’s Capital Markets Group in Charlotte. He represents investment banks and other financial institutions in secured commercial lending transactions, commercial mortgage-backed securitizations and other asset-backed securitizations.

Candelario graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, cum laude, in May 2019 and joined Cadwalader in October 2019. He is a member of the National LGBTQ Task Force Board of Directors and the Pauli Murray LGBTQ+ Bar Association Board of Directors and is also its co-founder. In December 2021, Candelario was appointed to the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Committee for the North Carolina Bar Association, and served as a Co-Chair of SOGI’s pro bono sub-committee for two years.

Undocumented for 27 years of his life, Candelario was forced to put his dreams of law school on hold. After graduating from the University of Utah with degrees in political science and gender studies, it would take six years to get his status adjusted to permanent resident and apply to law school. He filled the time managing Mexican restaurants in Utah and attended the CLEO Pre-Law Summer Institute.

Candelario is also one of Cadwalader’s Black & Latino Association (CBLA) Immigration Clinic leaders. He advises and mentors volunteer attorneys who take on immigration pro bono cases at Cadwalader and often reminds colleagues about the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

In 2022, Candelario was named among the American Bar Association's On the Rise honorees, the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association's 40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40, a Top Latino Lawyer by the Latino Leaders Magazine, Advocate of the Year by Charlotte’s chapter of the National Association for Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Legislative Influencers of Government Affairs, and was voted Best Charlotte Hero and Best Local Activist by readers of Queen City Nerve. He was also awarded the 2022 Young Lawyer of the Year by the Mecklenburg County (NC) Bar. Recently, in 2023, Candelario was named a Rising Star in Securities and Corporate Finance by Super Lawyers.

Sit and chat about the needs of transgender and gender diverse kids

Joshua Jernigan (he/him/his) - Gender Education Network

Joshua Jernigan (he/him/his) is a transgender rights activist and philanthropist living in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area where he and his husband are raising their daughter together. He started the Gender Education Network, an organization helping transgender and gender diverse kids 12 and younger, and is passionate about ensuring every child has a safe and loving home to nurture their
growing identities.

Educate about the mental health, social support and education services available to trans and gender-expansive folks (ages 18±)

Bethany Corrigan (They/Them) - Carolina CARE Partnership

Bethany is a gender equity, diversity and inclusion specialist with over 14 years of experience in social justice and human rights in over 50 countries worldwide. They have a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Georgia and a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University. In 2016 Bethany directed a program that was cited in the World Health Organization HIV/AIDS Guidelines, and was a contributing author to the 2016 Zambian National Adolescent HIV/AIDS Guidelines. In this national publication, they successfully included a section on the specific risks and health needs of transgender youth. Bethany joined Transcend Charlotte as a Member of the Board of Directors and in 2020 they transitioned from a voting Board Member to the role of Executive Director. In their free time, Bethany is a beekeeper and motorcycle enthusiast.

To educate about positive experiences and ro hopefully replace misinformed opinions by the use of lived experiences as a transgender youth with ADD in NC with a 504

Maddie Jenifer (she/her) - GenderCool Project

Maddie (she/her) is a 15-year-old with a big heart and a contagious laugh. She is fascinated by the entire photography industry, whether in front of or behind the camera. Maddie enjoys music and watching movies. She considers herself an animal-lover and especially adores her dogs Belle and Oakley. In 7th grade, Maddie fell in love with cheerleading and the energy around it, and she hasn’t looked back.

As an advocate, Maddie feels empowered by sharing her story and helping others. It’s been especially important to her to advocate for transgender youth in sports because of her experience in cheerleading. She believes every kid should get to experience the joy she finds in being a part of a team and doing something she loves.

Her hope is to help people understand that trans gender kids are just like other kids and to create a world where all trans and nonbinary youth are treated equally and with kindness.

Inform about lived experiences of parenting queer children

Katie Jenifer (she/they) - Parent and Attorney

Katie Jenifer (she/they) is a licensed attorney from North Carolina and the proud mom of two queer kids. When their youngest daughter, who is transgender, transitioned in 2013, her family almost immediately began to face obstacles where they felt like having a legal advocate would be beneficial. After NC passed HB 2 in 2016, Katie and her family decided that she should go back to school to become that legal advocate. In 2017, at age 45, Katie started law school at North Carolina Central University. She graduated in 2020 and passed the July 2020 NC Bar Exam. Now, she is a resource for other parents of queer/trans/nonbinary kids; spearheading a name and gender marker correction clinic at their law school, co-chairing the Pro Bono & Community Engagement Subcommittee of the NC Bar Association's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, holding the position of secretary of the NC Pauli Murray LGBTQ Bar Association, and serving on the Boards of Equality North Carolina and Conversion Therapy Dropout Network. In her spare time, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, taking their dog to the local dog park, being outside, and reading.

Inform about their programming and resources for LGBTQ+

individuals and their allies, including peer support, allyship education, and advocacy efforts along with

discussing the importance of allyship and best practices for building more inclusive and affirming

communities where LGBTQ+ people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds can thrive.

Mollie Burkholder (they/she) - PFLAG Charlotte

As a youth development professional and proudly queer person, I have seen firsthand the difference that accepting, supportive families can have in the lives of LGBTQ+ young people. PFLAG is a place that fosters community, offers support, and shares resources – free of judgement – so that families can not only survive but thrive in moments of struggle and joy. As someone who is deeply committed to building a more equitable and inclusive world and working toward liberation for marginalized people, I am proud to be part of an organization working so passionately to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community.

Exploring strategies of parent and community activism against Union County School Board’s anti-LGBTQ policies.

Regan Shaw (she/her) - Parent

Following the recent discriminatory policies of the Union County School Board, Regan has been advocating for LGBTQ students at school board meetings, rallies, media interviews, and conferences this past school year. Her MA dissertation from the University of London focused on religious extremism in electoral propaganda. She was studying the faraway island of Zanzibar, but now finds extremism closer to home and personal to her teenager’s wellbeing. A child of the Deep South, she is no stranger to the entrenched ideologies that can hinder progress towards a more perfect union, but she understands that silence is not a solution. In particular, she believes parents of marginalized students have a duty to speak out in this destructive political climate if they are able.  

With a certification in paralegal studies from UNC Charlotte, Regan has liaised with legal and political advocacy groups, both regionally, state-wide, and nationally, seeking best practices for effective school board engagement. In Union, she consults closely with student and community activists to maximize impact.  She believes building a stronger, more vocal network both locally and beyond will be essential to protect the inclusivity and funding of our public schools. She is a parent volunteer for PFLAG, UC Pride, and Public School Strong.

Rising to the Challenge of being your authentic self in social justice work.

Chantal Stevens - ACLU NC

As the Executive Director of the ACLU of North Carolina, Crystal Chantal is committed to and passionate about developing authentic leadership that fosters an environment which catalyzes transformative work. Chantal worked in education for 20 years prior to joining the ACLU of North Carolina. She started her career with the Research Foundation for CUNY as a Special Project Coordinator followed by four years as the Assistant Director for Recruitment and Admissions Counseling at The City College of New York where she led recruitment and marketing initiatives related to enrollment and spearheaded the centralization of all scholarship programs at the college. Chantal left City College in  to join A Better Chance as the National Director of Programs. At A Better Chance, she was responsible for the strategy, management, and growth of all program related initiatives nationally.

After a decade at A Better Chance, Chantal became the Executive Director of The GO Project and in 2017, Chantal joined Oliver Scholars first as the VP for Programs and Operations then as the Interim Chief Executive Officer until 2019. Before joining the ACLU of North Carolina in February 2020, Chantal tried out being an entrepreneur, running a small, one-woman consultancy, through which she worked with education focused nonprofit organizations on strategy, systems and process creation for finance, fundraising, Board development and programs.

Always an active member of her community, Chantal served as a Board Member of St. Mark the Evangelist School in Harlem, NY; For 13 years, she served as a volunteer fundraiser and Parent Chair for the Annual Fund of the Spence School and served as an Advisory Board Member of the National Partnership for Educational Access for 12 years. In January 2021, Chantal gave up her seat on the Vestry of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church and as an Advisory Board Member of St. Bartholomew’s Community Preschool, after a 4-year term. Since moving to North Carolina, Chantal has volunteered at local food pantries and with local voter protection efforts and she joined the Board of Student U in Durham, in June 2022.

Chantal holds a BA in Political Science and an MSEd in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College. 

Explain reasons for low rural voter turnout and ways to increase engagement across all demographics

Cynthia Wallace - New Rural Project 

Cynthia Wallace, a native of Springfield, GA, has lived in Charlotte, NC since 2006. She recently co-founded the non-profit, New Rural Project, which focuses on making sure that the voices of rural young people and marginalized residents are heard.  

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Cynthia earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Spelman College and her Master of Science in Statistics from the University of North Florida. Her 25-year career in the financial services industry has enhanced her expertise in risk management and regulations where she worked for three fortune 500 financial services companies, beginning at AT&T Universal Card Services. She then worked for Wachovia Bankcard Services before spending over 20 years with Synchrony (formerly GE Capital), retiring from there in Jan 2021 as Vice President, Credit Acquisitions Insights Leader. During her time at Synchrony, she spent one year in Paris, France in 2003 on an International Risk assignment and became a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Cynthia was the 2020 Democratic Nominee for North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. She’s been active politically in NC since 2008. Prior to running for office in December 2019, she was the Chair of the 9th Congressional District of the North Carolina Democratic Party beginning in January 2017 where she led an 8-county strategy.

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Cynthia has been involved for almost 30 years in the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College (NAASC) with the Jacksonville, FL and the Atlanta, GA chapters. In 2007, she helped to re-charter the Charlotte Chapter of NAASC and served as chapter president. She also served as the NAASC Southeast regional coordinator from 2016 – 2018 supporting chapters across 5 southern states.

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Cynthia was recently appointed to the NC State Banking Commission by Governor Cooper and was recently elected to the boards of Democracy NC and the Levine Museum of the New South. She also serves on the board of her homeowner’s association. She is a member of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan Strategic Advisors. She has been a member of the Park Church South Charlotte for over 14 years and has been actively engaged there with her small Life Group of caring women for more than 12 years.

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Cynthia credits her late father with her passion for civic engagement as he was a civil rights activist and was the first African American elected to Effingham (GA) County Commission. She has two sisters and one brother and frequently visits her family, including her mother, in and near the small southern Georgia town where she grew up.  

Too many students experience bullying at school, and often families feel powerless when they learn that their student is being bullied. Students with disabilities are more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers, and it can have a profound impact on their ability to learn. We will explore the obligations of schools to take immediate action when they learn that bullying is occurring to a student with a disability, and steps you can take to protect your students.

Caitlin Whalan Jones, Esq. (she/her) -  Council for Children's Rights

Caitlin Whalan Jones (she/her) is Director of the Education Law Program at Council for Children’s Rights (CFCR), a non-profit legal advocacy organization in Charlotte. She began her career at CFCR in 2015 as a Post-Graduate Public Interest Fellow. Her work focuses on individual and systemic efforts to advance educational access issues for all students, with a specific focus on students with disabilities, students facing exclusionary discipline, and system-involved youth. Caitlin received a B.A. in Communication Studies and Music from Furman University and a J.D. from William & Mary Law School. Beyond work, Caitlin enjoys singing and spending time with her family, recently welcoming a daughter who has Down syndrome.

Panel discussion with parent and teen about lived experiences

Dr. Jessica Auslander she/her/they/them) - Parent and Counselor

Dr. Jessica Auslander (she/her/they/them) holds bachelor’s degrees in music education and psychology from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in counselor education from The Ohio State University, and a doctorate degree in addiction psychology from Capella University. Her career has included teaching and school counseling in K-12 public and charter settings and clinical counseling in community mental health and private practice. She has served as a private school counselor for families in need of support accessing accommodations for their students, and she is a subject matter expert in the area of mental health and JA in the schools for the Arthritis Foundation. She is the parent of three exceptional children who attend Union County Public Schools, and volunteers in two school buildings weekly.  

Panel discussion with parent and teen about lived experiences

Lillie Auslander (she/her/they/them) - UCPS student

Lillie Auslander, 15, (she/her/they/them), is a rising sophomore in UCPS. She is a disabled teen who loves fighting for justice and equality in her community. Lillie is a Girl Scout, and has completed her Bronze and Silver Awards. Her Silver Award was earned by collaborating with UCPS and Waxhaw Athletics to make the community’s softball fields at Waxhaw Elementary ADA accessible. She has had three articles related to Jewish identity published in the Charlotte Jewish News. Lillie has grown up having to fight for inclusion, accessibility, and equality in school and everyday life. Because of her struggle she feels it is important to teach others and help stand up and fight for change in schools and day to day life. She loves to advocate for herself and others and try to teach other kids and teens how to stand up and fight for themselves in schools and through medical settings. She finds it empowering when you fight for something and win and wants to share that feeling and her dream of an accessible and understanding world with others. She loves animals and has three dogs: Shadow (her service dog), Archie and Toby. In her spare time Lillie loves painting, cooking, archery, writing, music, and swimming. 

The Leadro Case and Disability Education Funding

Sarah Montgomery (she/her/hers) - Every Child NC under NC Justice Center

Sarah Montgomery joined the NC Justice Center as a Policy Advocate with the Education & Law Project in March 2017 and became Senior Policy Advocate in September 2020. Sarah draws from over 15 years of community development experience, working with nonprofits in New York City, Nicaragua, and North Carolina with a focus on education rights, access, community engagement, and English Language learners.
Sarah holds dual BA degrees in Social Thought and Political Economy (STPEC) and Spanish from UMASS-Amherst, as well as an MA in International Affairs from the New School where she concentrated on socio-economic development. 

How local and state government fund and effect our schools, and most importantly how you can get involved. 

Susan Books (she/her/hers) - Save our Schools 

Susan Book is a public school advocate and is a co-administrator for Save Our Schools NC.  She is the co-host of the podcast Advocacy Bites.  She currently works with the Every Child Coalition as well as Great Schools in Wake.  Susan is also an avid writer, blogger, and speaker on issues like education and Disability Rights. Susan was proudly named the 2023 Friend in Education Award by NCAE. First and foremost she’s a public school parent to an autistic son and fights for him and others like him to get a sound basic education. 

Disability & LGBTQ Legal History: LGBTQ and disability legal histories share common struggles for equality. Both faced discrimination and marginalization, but through activism and legislation, progress has been made yet more must be done. LGBTQ rights advanced with decriminalization and same-sex marriage, while disability rights gained ground through the ADA and accessibility initiatives. Together, these movements demonstrate the power of legal frameworks in promoting inclusivity.

Cristal Robinson (they/them) - Robinson Law 

Cristal Robinson (they/them/she) is the attorney at Robinson Law. As a seasoned attorney, business owner, and educator, Cristal is passionate about advancing the rights of neurodivergent, queer, and other diverse people through legal representation, advocacy, and consulting. Cristal focuses on discrimination law under disability & civil rights, as well as promoting diversity, equity, & inclusion in education, employment, & business ownership. Cristal is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, which is limited to just one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction.

Outside of the office, Cristal Robinson enjoys watching their autistic son experience life, growing older with their autistic spouse, and figuring out their true self as a late-in-life diagnosed autistic professional. 

Discuss issues and policies affecting the most vulnerable North Carolinians along with educating individuals about ways to make a difference in support of full equality in their own community

Artie Hartsell (they/them) - Equality NC

Artie is a nonbinary North Carolinian, born and raised in the Charlotte-area and currently situated west of Asheville. Artie received their BSW and MSW from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has done direct social work practice with LGBTQ+ youth, adults living with HIV, and foster families. Their undergraduate work centered on LGBTQ+ youth and families, while their graduate work focused on harm reduction for transgender adolescents. Artie was a 2018 Front Line Leaders of America Fellow and has been profiled in Q-Notes several times for their local program, electoral, and policy work while living in Charlotte. At Equality North Carolina, Artie helps drive electoral strategy and creates opportunities for local leaders and impacted LGBTQ+ people to tell their stories across platforms and audiences.