 Gender JUST's fighters for justice bring diverse skills, experiences, passions, and abilities to the table - which enables Gender JUST to employ a broad arsenal in the fight for racial, economic, and gender justice. Leaders of Gender JUST's struggle include:
Leadership Team Members
Eric "Kitty" Amaya is a leader of the Safe & Affirming Education Campaign and was the first youth member to join Gender JUST's Leadership Team. As a Junior at Kelly High School, Kitty is a student leader in Kelly's Gay-Straight-Alliance (GSA). Kitty brings an unparalleled level of passion and strength both to the Safe & Affirming Education Campaign and to Gender JUST as a whole.
Hector Salgado is a leader of the COURSE campaign and an active member of the Development Committee. Hector is the Associate Director at Project Vida, an HIV education and outreach center in Little Village. Hector was trained in community organizing through the Industrial Areas Foundation and through Public Allies.
 Ahkia Daniels is a leader of the Safe & Affirming Education Campaign and is active on the Outreach Committee. As a recent graduate of South Shore High, Ahkia brings many experiences to Gender JUST of heterosexism within Chicago Public Schools. Ahkia has been featured on such media outlets as Chicago Tribune, VOCALO, and Windy City Times.
Lucky Mosqueda is a leader of the Safe & Affirming Education Campaign and the COURSE campaign. Lucky is a recent graduate of Roosevelt High School and is an actor and a writer. Lucky brings a sincerity and energy to Gender JUST which is indispensable to the struggle.
Kevin Brown is one of the founding members of Gender JUST and was instrumental in the development of the COURSE campaign. Kevin is a recent graduate of Jones College Prep High School and has worked with many Chicago community organizations including Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Chicago Freedom School, Mikva Challenge, and Northside Action for Justice. Renisha Campbell is a leader of the COURSE campaign. As a Masters of Public Health, Renisha brings a critical perspective to the struggle for community-accountable health services. Renisha is also the founder of MY WORLD MY DREAMS and RMC Consulting.
Christina Ayala is a leader of the COURSE campaign. Christina received a degree of Social Work from Loyola University, focusing on the well being of young people, and has been active with the Latino Social Workers Organization.
 Sarah Lu is a founding member of Gender JUST and was instrumental in the development of the COURSE campaign. Sarah works for VOCALO and brings to Gender JUST a unique set of skills focusing on media and web-based communications.
Aidan Strueber is the founder of the House Meeting Committee and has initiated such projects within Gender JUST as a Book Club, bi-monthly House Meetings, and a pen pal correspondence with queer and trans people in prison. As a social worker, Aidan brings a very thoughtful perspective on how to ensure that Gender JUST is a safe and nurturing space for everyone.
Mark Banashak is a founding member of Gender JUST and is active on the Outreach Committee and House Meeting Committee. Mark received a Masters of Social Work from Loyola University and has been active with the Latino Social Workers Organization. Mark's work with adolescent sex offenders provides important experiences behind Gender JUST's work to resist the Prison Industrial Complex and Hate Crimes Legislation. Mary Tarullo is one of the founding members of Gender JUST and is active with the Safe & Affirming Education Campaign and the Outreach Committee. Mary brings many years of community organizing to Gender JUST, having worked on such issues as affordable housing, land-use, and community development.
Emily Manes is a leader of the Safe & Affirming Education Campaign and is involved in the House Meeting Committee. As an Elementary Education major at Depaul University, Emily has informed the organizing with the perspective of teachers - who are often ill prepared to deal with the heterosexist system within which they work.
Derrick Shenault is a leader of the Safe & Affirming Eduction Campaign and is a Junior at Kelly High School. Derrick is involved with many organizing projects in Chicago, including Chicago Freedom School and Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE). Organizer
Sam Finkelstein is the Interim Executive Director of Gender JUST and was one of the founding members. As Interim Executive Director, Sam is responsible for the administrative duties of the organization. Sam brings over 10 years of community organizing experience to Gender JUST, having organized around such issues as housing justice, workers rights, public housing, balanced development, and just immigration reform. Members
At the center of Gender JUST's organizing lies the members who drive the work of the organization. As a grassroots effort, all decisions and strategies are led by those who are impacted by the decisions being shaped. Gender JUST's membership represents the diversity and breadth of the communities which Gender JUST occupies. For more information on membership, contact info@genderjust.org or check out our membership page.
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