América is a first generation college graduate who works for COLOR and supports Immigrants and Latinos to organize and help understand how the systems work because systems were not created for them. América is interested in bringing her experience as a first generation immigrant and sexual/reproductive advocate to this space.

Public policy, social justice and advocacy are important to Apryl’s work. Apryl teaches forensic psychology at DU, a historically white university, and holds expertise in trauma-informed and culturally-informed practice. As a Black woman, she works for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma and with youth who cause harm, with the goal of making safer climates for all.

Arianna works at Voces Unidas for Justice and values youth having access to resources that are inclusive and equitable. She believes in a two-generation approach to build community. Arianna identifies as a healer and brings lived experience and connection to community to the Board.

Carlee is a science teacher at AUL Denver and enjoys teaching sex education from a science perspective. Carlee is a proud member of the AAPI community who believes in trauma informed teaching and elevating youth voice.

Darolyn is a Black cis woman, queer pansexual, human being, advocate, spiritually motivated person who believes in centering youth voice. She values sex education that centers all bodies and the many ways people identify.

Em is a Queer, disabled, neurodivergent, polyam, MA in counseling student at UCCS. They are currently working as a graduate research assistant on projects focused on culturally affirming mental health care for members of the LGBTQ+ and disability communities. Additionally, Em provides workshops/training on accessible sex ed, sex and disability, and LGBTQ+ competency both in sexual education and more generally, and polyamory/ethical non-monogamy.

Goddess Tyescha works at Inside Out Youth Services and has done high levels of research on the causes of sexual violence. Sex education is a good tool to limit sexual violence, but the real violence comes from societal norms and beliefs like toxic masculinity and heteronormativity. They desire to create a better space for queer folx within the work.

Isa believes in using art, dance, and movement to ground oneself in the body. Isa is a college student who never received any sex education and notes that many people in college have never received any sex education though it is implied that you have this information by this time.

Jace is a member of the queer and trans community. There was a lack of resources available to him and that is a big part of the reason he joined the board. Jace serves as a group facilitator for trans masculine identities and wants to create more resources and services for trans people in the community.

Jourdan holds a two-spirt Native identity with connection to their ancestors’ stories. There is a lack of sex education in their community, and everyone needs this information. Jourdan brings understanding of the connection between colonialism and binary thinking – understanding that there is not right or wrong.

Julissa is a Mexican/Native American who is exploring her Chicana identity. She is a high school student who feels self-conscious at school because of rape culture and wants to advocate for those who have been silenced.

Marcus is a man of color who has experience working on a project that looked at repeat victimization within communities of color. Marcus is a college student and brings that perspective to the Board.

Naliyah is a high school student and young mother who never had sex education. She is interested in sex education and believes that if she had access to this information, she would have been more prepared.

Shanae is a sexuality professional who values sex positive experiences and believes that comprehensive sex education must be pleasure based and pleasure focused. They are focused on QTBIPOC workshops, using inclusive language and an intersectional lens to make visible identities that are often invisible.

Starr is a trusted community advocate who is on the streets, listens to people, hears their experiences and provides HIV/STI counseling. Starr identifies as a trans woman and there is a lot of sexual abuse within the trans community. They bring lived experience and a focus on belonging to the Board.

Theo identifies as queer and that identity has often been locked out of sexual health education. Theo is a high school student who wants to see more representation in sex education and increased knowledge of queer people, including improved sexual health resources.

The ReproCollab bring diverse voices to the table to lead and fund community-based efforts to ensure all people have access to the information and services they need and the right to make decisions about their bodies, sexuality, relationships, and futures. This includes whether and when to use contraception, start a family, or continue a pregnancy.

The ReproCollab provided funding and trust for this initiative, which has made reimagining the State of Adolescent Sexual Health Report possible. The ReproCollab’s approach to flexible funding meets the needs of programs, communities and grantees and allowed Trailhead to use this grant to ensure that the SASH centered and compensated community members and young people equitably, making their participation in this process possible and transformative. We are deeply grateful.

Consulting Within Your Context

Tomei is the owner of Consulting Within Your Context and believes in supporting organizations to better understand their work and purpose through intentional community engagement and constant curiosity. Tomei has 15 years of experience working to prevent violence from happening while understanding the interconnected nature of violence. She believes in challenging the system and dreaming about new possibilities.

Youth Facilitator to the Board

Talia is an artist, an activist, a young person, a change maker, and the youth facilitator for Trailhead and co-leader of Trailhead’s initiative to reimagine the State of Adolescent Sexual Health Report. They create, envision, and love. They believe sex education is a vehicle for societal change, and an integral human right.

Many Youth Sexual Health Program partners connected us with members of their communities and amazing individuals doing anti-oppressive work in the youth sexual health field. Their commitment to collaboration in the spirit of creating a better future allowed Trailhead to meet and partner with the Board members highlighted above. We are so grateful for the many partnerships we’ve formed and our shared commitment to furthering the field of youth sexual health and supporting young people.

Senior Program Manager

Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement

Youth Sexual Health Program Senior Coordinator