Youth Pride Alliance, now in its 15th year, was founded in 1996. Our primary function is the annual production of Youth Pride Day. As a small, all-volunteer run organization, we rely on the support of the community for our programs and services.

In addition to Youth Pride Day, we also organize other events for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and/or Questioning youth throughout the year.

Youth Pride Alliance is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Ally youth empowerment to encourage positive self-development and expression, as well as leadership, while bridging diverse communities and individuals to address issues of visibility, equality, and social justice. We are dedicated to celebrating the dignity and courage of all young people.

The board is composed of members of the general public with diverse interests and background that all come together to support the Youth Pride Alliance mission. All board members serve as volunteers giving their expertise and energy. We are always looking for new board members to represents the diverse communities we serve. We strongly encourage youth, and members of the transgender and Latino communities to apply. If you are interested in being on the Youth Pride Alliance board please send a resume and a cover letter to: youthpride@youthpridealliance.org

Grew up in DC and is now raising teen daughters, who also share her love of DC, its diversity, culture and community. Margaret has spent her adult life working in the medical field, but has enjoyed a rich variety of volunteer positions including working with Columbia Heights Youth Club, Girl Scouts of America, Capital Pride, LGBT Unitarian Universalists (Interweave), ASC Housing Corp (non-profit, affordable housing) and JKHC (non-profit low-income housing).

Nikisha Carpenter a native of Detroit, Michigan, has been a resident of DC since 2001. Currently Nikisha works in Construction Management in the District. She has spent numerous hours volunteering in the community tutoring children, mentoring teens, leading school revitalization teams, phone banking, and fundraising for community groups.
ncarpenter@youthpridealliance.org

Over the past decade, Elke has served as a high school teacher and educational consultant for various school districts and non-profit agencies. Elke is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Maryland. Her work focuses on urban school reform, leadership for social justice and improving the educational experiences of LGBTQ youths and students with disabilities in inclusive settings.

Franklin, a native of Alton, Illinois, moved to the DC area in 2006 to study Political Science at the George Washington University. Upon arriving to DC, he has had the opportunity to volunteer for the National Center for Children and Families, the Student Conservation Association, and Toys for Tots. Franklin, a first year board member, is passionate about raising awareness of the challenges that LGBTQ youth face in today's society.

José Ramirez currently lives in Washington, DC but grew up in Durham, North Carolina. He is an activist in the community and is HIV positive. Currently, he is the Youth Programs Coordinator for Mpodérate!!! at La Clinica Del Pueblo, an AIDS and HIV prevention program in the D.M.V for gay, bi, questioning and transgender Latino immigrant youth. A lot of his work is educating young LGBTQA Latin youth about HIV, AIDS, STDs and how to have safe sex, be sex positive, have healthy relationships, and lead conversations about sex with friends. If you're HIV/AIDS Poz we help you make sure that you get all the resources and help you will need to live a healthy and fabulous life.

Originally from Dallas, TX, Jessica moved to the area in 2008 from Santa Fe, NM to be closer to her incredible grandmother. Jessica has a background in youth development and art therapy, and is currently working in the central office for DC Public Schools. She has made it a point to work for kids throughout her life, and is truly looking forward to helping facilitate such an important event for DC area youth.

Sheldon Scott, a native of Pawley's Island, SC, received his B.S. in Psychology from Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. He began his career in Social Work as a Unit Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Horry County. Upon moving to the Washington DC area, he joined a private practice, specializing in Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Sex-Offender treatment at Northern Virginia Counseling Group. After this four-year stint as a Psychotherapist, he began studying and performing as an actor, storyteller and writer. He's an acclaimed performer, who also serves on the Board of Youth Pride Day, DC, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, 1A03, and the Regional Manager for Restaurant Marvin.