Page 47 - BEQ Magazine Vol2 Iss4 V2

ly serves on the Executive Board 500 businesses as members and one GEE SMALLS
of the non-profit Out in Science, of the largest LGBT Chambers in (He, Him) is 40
Technology, Engineering, and the country. Prior to joining Nation
Mathematics (oSTEM), as Vice Consulting, Rae had served as a NON-PROFIT—Community Activist,
Entrepreneur and Life Coach
President for Marketing Commu- public policy intern with People For
nications. She was selected twice the American Way and as a political Gee Smalls is a certified life and
as an LGBTQ Tech & Innovation intern with the Gay & Lesbian Vic- relationship coach and co-founder
Fellow and founded the East Bay tory Fund. He has also worked for of The Gentlemen’s Foundation
Chapter of Lesbians Who Tech. Herb Kohl for US Senate, among and LoveWorks web series. He
Previously, Amy supported Reach- other campaigns. Jason graduated and his husband Juan founded
ing Out MBA with marketing & from Marquette University with an The Gentlemen’s Foundation, Inc. Jason Rae
communications strategy and Out Honors Bachelor’s of Arts in Polit- (TGF) as a 501(c)3 non-profit or-
for Undergrad with communica- ical Science and History. He cur- ganization to focus on the healthy
tions, professional development and rently lives in the historic Bay View development of Gay, Bisexual and
partnerships. She currently leads neighborhood in Milwaukee with Transgender men of color through
product management for the reten- his husband Phillip Bailey. mentoring programs, educational
tion business of Storyblocks, a start- and cultural initiatives and social
up based in Arlington, VA, where ADAM SCHER events. The foundation promotes
she oversees content, engagement (He, Him) is 34 positive images, engages dialogue
and revenue. SMALL BUSINESS—Small and creates a safe online and offline
Business Owner and Entrepreneur community.
JASON RAE As a life and relationship
(He, Him) is 31 Adam Scher is an incredibly coach, Gee is committed to sup- Adam Scher
effective and driven individual. He
NON-PROFIT—Political Activist and porting, empowering and mentor-
Organizer and his business partner started ing his clients to stand tall in their
their creative agency Operation: truth, own their sexual desires
There are several stories re- CMYK together when he was just and to celebrate themselves and
counting the 5-year-old Jason Rae 24 years old. For more than a de- each other. Gee shares his story
telling his parents on election day cade, they have grown the company of pain, self-awareness and evolu-
“don’t forget to vote for Bill Clin- to be a thriving business that fosters tion on his journey to authentic-
ton” or even the 15-year-old Jason and celebrates individuality. Adam ity to help others make the best
riding a bike in rural Wisconsin prides himself on building a com- choices for their lives. He offers
to the county party meetings in pany culture that is as diverse as advice to their many social media
the basement of the local library. its clients. Employees are amazed and YouTube followers, so people
Needless to say, Jason is a lifelong at the level of care and consider- can learn from each other and re-
democrat. He was eventually elect- ation he takes to grow the team and alize they are not alone. Gee and Gee Smalls
ed—youngest person ever—to the how much he supports and enables the TGF celebrate healthy, self-af-
Democratic National Committee self-expression. Operation:CMYK firming and committed relation-
and in early 2017, he was elected to is a certified LGBT business enter- ships. Gee’s philosophy, “honest,
serve as the Secretary of the DNC, prise through the National LGBT candid conversations, education
the party’s youngest national officer. Chamber of Commerce. Adam and empowerment are tools that
He serves as Chair of the Milwau- proudly represents the LGBTQ will essentially end the HIV epi-
kee County Human Rights Com- community with every business demic. Once people achieve an
mission, partner at Nation Consult- interaction, from large firms in fi- expanded sense of self-awareness,
ing and President & CEO of the nance and insurance, to personal they will ultimately make better
Wisconsin LGBT Chamber with brands and nonprofit organizations. life choices.”

BEQ PRIDE December 2017 | 47