Sherri Jackson, a community activist and contributing editor to Identity (formerly Blacklines) is leaving Chicago. Sherri will be moving to Richmond, Va., to pursue a Masters of Divinity at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Sherri volunteered with many organizations while in Chicago. She was a steering committee member and officer with Chicago Black Lesbians and Gays; board of directors, Horizons Community Services/Center on Halsted and Lesbian Community Cancer Project; and an action political coordinator with Human Rights Campaign where she worked on LBGT issues closely with Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez. Since 2001 she has volunteered with United Church Of Christ on LBGT issues, homophobia in the African American community and with social justice issues around worker, voter, and Caribbean-Latin issues. She was a mentor for youth and tutored literature to high school students.
'This is indeed a great time to be a part of the change happening around religion and LBGT issues. I will truly miss Chicago and the host of individuals I have worked with and be-friended. I hope one day to return to Chicago, but I am going with the flow wherever my future journey takes me. I thank you all for your friendship, love, mentorship, and shared wisdom,' Jackson said.
Meanwhile, youth activist Tony Alvarado-Rivera is moving to New York City for a position working with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network in New York as their Student Club and Leadership Specialist. Most recently, Tony has worked with the About Face Theatre Youth Project. Tony has been a Windy City Times 30 Under 30 honoree every year since the awards were first established. He has also written for Identity.