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Ashlyn Adams (she/her//sir)
Ashlyn was once a young person in what felt like an impossible situation. She raised herself and her siblings in the Bay Area, and came to Santa Cruz for education and new opportunities to explore her long list of passions. Through a lot of difficult days, paperwork, and strategic thinking, she was able to achieve her survival goals for her family and transition into being a community builder and an advocate, especially for young people and folks in her BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. Ashlyn wants to learn every day, and her career so far reflects that. She considers herself a professional in the arts and sciences of connecting people with resources, giving film recommendations, helping you fix your computer, fitting everything in the car, and providing basketball commentary. She currently lives with her family and some pretty cute pets. To learn more: https://www.risetogetherscc.org/ashlyn-n-adams |
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Lesley-Reid Harrison (they/them)
Lesley, raised during apartheid era South Africa, has a lifelong commitment to social justice and change. After living undocumented for ten years in the United States and raising a family, they graduated in 2014, Magna Cum Laude from University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Feminist Studies, emphasis Law, Politics & Social Change and a BA in Sociology, emphasis Gender & Sexuality Studies.
Lesley-Reid facilitates spaces for LGBTQ2+ folks of all ages and backgrounds to share their stories. They actively seek out ways to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, who are in fact, the global majority! Lesley-Reid disrupts discrimination and advocates for intersectionality to ensure our community understands that sexuality and gender cannot be separated from our other identities, that folks who have historically and institutionally been forced to the margins are centered in our work for equity and change, both within and beyond the Queer community.
Lesley-Reid knows that there is healing in telling our stories, that every story is unique and valid. They empower others to become leaders in their own right.
Lesley, raised during apartheid era South Africa, has a lifelong commitment to social justice and change. After living undocumented for ten years in the United States and raising a family, they graduated in 2014, Magna Cum Laude from University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Feminist Studies, emphasis Law, Politics & Social Change and a BA in Sociology, emphasis Gender & Sexuality Studies.
Lesley-Reid facilitates spaces for LGBTQ2+ folks of all ages and backgrounds to share their stories. They actively seek out ways to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, who are in fact, the global majority! Lesley-Reid disrupts discrimination and advocates for intersectionality to ensure our community understands that sexuality and gender cannot be separated from our other identities, that folks who have historically and institutionally been forced to the margins are centered in our work for equity and change, both within and beyond the Queer community.
Lesley-Reid knows that there is healing in telling our stories, that every story is unique and valid. They empower others to become leaders in their own right.
Wren Reeve (they/he)
Wren is a local Santa Cruzian who grew up learning quickly that in order to see equality and equity, you have to start at the heart of your own stomping grounds and make waves. They have been advocating for themselves and others primarily in the Queer and the Disability communities since they were a teen and continue to advocate for representation and inclusion in the education system and community at large. Their activism-focused written work has been published by multiple organizations, and he has been nominated for numerous awards as a young person and as an adult advocate for his on-the-ground efforts. They are currently working on becoming a social worker, working with queer youth across the county, and facilitating safe spaces. Wren lives with their five reptiles and family and spends his free time geeking out over music and hyperfixating on marine wildlife and comics.
Wren is a local Santa Cruzian who grew up learning quickly that in order to see equality and equity, you have to start at the heart of your own stomping grounds and make waves. They have been advocating for themselves and others primarily in the Queer and the Disability communities since they were a teen and continue to advocate for representation and inclusion in the education system and community at large. Their activism-focused written work has been published by multiple organizations, and he has been nominated for numerous awards as a young person and as an adult advocate for his on-the-ground efforts. They are currently working on becoming a social worker, working with queer youth across the county, and facilitating safe spaces. Wren lives with their five reptiles and family and spends his free time geeking out over music and hyperfixating on marine wildlife and comics.