Sep 24, 2013

Equality NC's Chris Sgro Receives Inaugural Arcus Foundation Leadership Fellowship

Raleigh, N.C. — Equality NC's executive director Chris Sgro was chosen to the inaugural cohort of Arcus LGBT Leadership Initiative Fellows. The fellowships awarded by New York-based funder Arcus Foundation will support the efforts over the next year of eleven U.S.-based leaders of the LGBT movement.

A mentorship and peer networking support program will include a retreat for the participants and their mentors where they set personal and professional goals, explore shared challenges, and begin the development of an ongoing peer support network.

"The Arcus Leadership Fellowship provides us with a unique opportunity not only to expand our individual skills, but also our reach and level of collaboration with local and national groups focused on LGBT equality," said Sgro. "With so little funding coming to the LGBT movement in the South, Arcus's investment in Equality NC and our work across the state and region inspires us to do more to build a state of equality here at home and beyond."

The 2013 Arcus LGBT Leadership Initiative Fellows are Zachary Bauer, executive director, Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center; B. Cole, executive director, Brown Boi Project; Wade Davis, executive director, You Can Play Project; Ted Farley, executive director, It Gets Better Project; Christopher Paige , executive director, Interfaith Working Group (Transfaith); Malika Redmond, executive director, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW; Andrea Ritchie, co-coordinator, Streetwise and Safe; Chris Sgro, executive director, Equality NC; Felipe Sousa-Rodriguez, co-director, GetEQUAL; Joseph Ward, director/editor, Believe Out Loud; and Monna Wong, executive director, API Equality Northern California.

"We're proud to support this group of inspiring and passionate individuals who've already demonstrated tremendous achievements in their work and contributions to social justice," said Arcus Foundation executive director Kevin Jennings. "Arcus intends to maximize the caliber, connectedness and impact of these leaders who are advancing LGBT equality in the U.S. by enhancing their skills and collaboration."