Bill Carpenter
Director of National Actions
Bill grew up in Memphis, TN where in his early teens, he witnessed much of the civil rights movement, including nonviolent demonstrations and marches led by Dr. King, Rev. James Lawson and his brother Phil and other of his present day heroes. After graduating from the University of Alabama, he worked in business and marketing in retailing and real estate. Coming out as a 40 year old, he shifted his attention from a traditional business career to a life of service. Presently, Bill is an active student of Truth principles, active at his Unity church and as a trainer in welcoming diversity and in principles of nonviolence. Bill says one of his greatest Soulforce experiences was early in Soulforce history at the UMC convention in Cleveland, OH in 2000 hearing two of his s/heroes Bob and Jeanie Graetz tell about the “second time their house was firebombed” while living in Montgomery, Alabama.
Today, I call upon every LGBT person to reach deep within and connect with the joyous truth of who you are and declare, once and for all, I will not accept being treated as a 2nd class person or citizen of my country. Today, I stand with all oppressed peoples of the earth and declare: I am whole and worthy and loved – just as I am!
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love
Executive Director
Dr. Cindi Love brings a wide range of leadership, management and organizational experience to her new role as Soulforce’s Executive Director. From January 2005 until April 2009, she served as the Executive Director of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). Prior to MCC, she served as an Executive Dean in the third largest community college system in the United States, as a Senior Executive of The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC) and CEO and Founder of several award winning corporations, including one named to the INC 500 in 1990. In 1990, Dr. Love was named one of the “Top 50 Entrepreneurs” in North America by Inc. Magazine, the Young Entrepreneur’s Organization, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Love is the creator of the Would Jesus Discriminate? campaign and author of a book by the same name.
twitter: @soulforcelove
Jason Conner
Director of Programs
Jason Conner comes to Soulforce after completing the 2010 Equality Ride. Though he is from West Virginia, he has lived in various parts of the country, including Utah, California, and Florida. Jason was raised LDS (Mormon) and served a two year mission in the Florida – Orlando Mission. He left the church upon coming out joining the Equality Ride. Jason has worked with and for various non-profits over the past ten years – including United Way, The Red Cross, Utah Family Partners, The Central Florida Compassion Outreach Center, and the BSA. He was part of the successful campaign to elect Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia (2004). In the 2002 interim election, Jason was the youngest person on the ballot in the state of West Virginia, where he ran for the Democratic Executive Comittee. He served one term. Jason resides in Philadelphia and works full time as the Director of Programs for Soulforce.
Haven Herrin
Director of Development
I am a teacher, artist, activist and aspiring yogi and DJ. I use “they” and “them” as my gender pronouns because I prefer words that locate me within the gender system with as little stability as possible. Some days I am high femme, some days more trans. This flexibility and self-recreation is part of my queer existence. The small things, like asking the busker not to sing songs that are anti-woman, and the big things, like helping to launch busfulls of activists, are all part of a life lived as an activist. I think a lot about racism, international solidarity, and the myriad ways that the gendermonster is iterated in our lives. I am happy to work with Soulforce as it grows into its intersectional justice skin and remains a place of infinite possibility. I also serve as a represntative of North America to the board for the International Lesbian and Gay Association.
J. Mason
Program Coordinator
J. Mason (who prefers to be called Mason, thank you!) is a Black/Trans/Queer educator and performer based in Philadelphia, PA. Mason has worked with thousands of community members and service providers on the needs of LGBTQ youth and adults in spaces such as church communities, elementary schools, domestic violence shelters, medical agencies, juvenile justice organizations, foster care programs and others. Currently, serving as a Soulforce Program Coordinator, Mason works to end religious based oppression in addition to his role working with/for LGBTQ youth as the Training Coordinator of the Attic Youth Center’s Bryson Institute. On his off time, he can also be found contributing to various academic and literary publications to keep his mind busy.
Joseph Rattan
Director of Print Media Services
Joseph Rattan holds degrees in Design Communications and Packaging Design with emphasis in Branding, Identity and Color Theory. He has collaborated with Fortune 100/500 companies and has had work displayed in major design shows, publications and exhibitions across the country and around the world. Some of his work is housed in the permanent collection of the United States Library of Congress. Mr. Rattan is a past President of the Texas Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. He taught design at the University of North Texas and has been a speaker and adjudicator at universities and design exhibitions. He is a published author through National Geographic Press.
Mr. Rattan is an active performer and is trained as a classical/operatic vocalist. He has performed in oratorios and operas extensively in Texas with additional performances in the U.S. and Europe.
www.josephrattandesign.com
214.232.5825
Rev. Melanie “Mel” Martinez
Database Assistant, Web Coordinator
Mel serves on the Soulforce team as a consultant for database management, reporting and data entry, as well as basic website maintenance. Mel brings a passion for LGBT activism and, as a pastor in Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), is a leader for LGBT spiritual development and spiritual community access. Mel is the pastor of Wichita Falls Metropolitan Community Church in Texas.
