Laura Meyers grew up in Yancey County, North Carolina and moved to Durham in 2006. She joined Equality NC in June of 2021.
Beginning her nonprofit career over 15 years ago, Laura has worked for both local and statewide organizations in program and event management, finance and operations, volunteer management, and development.
Eliazar is a proud Latino son of working class immigrants who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas and moved to North Carolina in 2007. Eliazar was raised to be an advocate and community organizer and his work began while still in school. From establishing an annual Hispanic Heritage Concert while in high school, to helping establish student organizations at Campbell University for Latinx and LGBTQ students, to his work in the nonprofit sector, his goal has always been building community.
Prior to joining Equality NC, Eliazar was a part of El Centro Hispano team, where he started as a volunteer in 2015 to Acting President and CEO in 2021. He left to establish his consulting firm Posada Strategy Consulting and seek public office in Carrboro, NC. Through his work he has impacted policy and resources impacting the LGBTQ, Latinx and immigrant communities of North Carolina. He has served on numerous boards and committees, both for governments and nonprofit organizations.
Jazmynne Cruz was born in California and raised in Texas but moved to North Carolina in the early 2010s to attend Duke University, connect with their family history, and continue their advocacy efforts. Since moving to Durham, they've had the opportunity to contribute to many impactful campaigns, from the grassroots to internationally. They joined ENC in early 2024 and bring nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector.
In their free time, they enjoy spending time with their partner and two cats and crafting new things that bring joy to themselves and the people around them.
Brennan joined Equality NC in June of 2022. Previously, they served as the Regional Manager for the U.S. & Canada at Peace First, a global nonprofit that coaches and funds young people to create social action projects. Through work with Peace First, Equality NC, and as the founder of the Raleigh-based LGBTQ youth group QueerNC, Brennan is dedicated to mobilizing young people to lead change both in North Carolina and globally. They envision helping to build a North Carolina that elevates the voices, work, and lives of LGBTQ youth. They currently live and work in Durham, NC, along with their rescue pup, Fig.
Xzaviar is the Chair and Co-Founder of Del Monsoon Quantum Foundation for Interactive Technologies in Charlotte. Their expertise lies in leveraging technology to enhance non-profit initiatives, complemented by skills in marketing and volunteer management. Thriving in dynamic environments that prioritize creativity and teamwork, Xzaviar is eager to grow and innovate.
In their third year on the board of the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, Xzaviar is committed to propelling the organization's growth and introducing fresh ideas. They actively drive positive change within the interactive technology sector to foster equity and inclusion. Having lived in the Queen City for five years with their fiancé, they enjoy exploring the beauty and diversity of east Charlotte.
Alex is a native of rural Western North Carolina and joined Equality NC in September of 2022. Alex is a recent graduate of NC State with a Master of Public Administration degree and former graduate of UNC Asheville with a Bachelor of Political Science degree. From a very young age Alex became infatuated with politics and government which grew into a passion and, eventually, a career. Alex has dedicated himself to helping make North Carolina a safe space for LGBTQ+ youths to create a safer climate than the one in which he grew up.
Born of a family of educators, Alex has always had a passion for education policy and, after discovering his own sexuality, how to create safe spaces for students in their schools and communities. Alex envisions creating a climate in WNC in which LGBTQ+ youths and adults alike can live and thrive knowing they are welcome. In his free time, you can find Alex hiking local trails, gaming, or traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway with his dog Todd.
Celeste is a transgender woman of color born and raised in Greensboro, NC. She moved to Raleigh in 2014 to start her transition in hopes of finding happiness, building a community, and living an authentic life, and she has done just that, getting involved with volunteer work, mutual aid funding, and community outreach. She assisted with food distribution at a local soup kitchen, focusing on grassroots activism while working for the repeal of the discriminatory bill HB2.
In her free time, she loves to socialize, watch anime, and dance, specializing in modern and West-African styles. She also loves practicing flag throwing, which she learned in high school marching band. If she’s not practicing her moves, you can find her coordinating meetings and sending emails to the Executive Director. She hopes to one day go back to school and study Public Policy. Her passion lies in being a voice and representative for LGBTQ+ youth, people of color, and other marginalized groups in the south.
Z is a nonbinary queer person committed to contributing to the fight for racial and gender justice. They join Equality NC after spending over a decade serving young people in California and ensuring they have access to high-quality afterschool programming. Z relocated to North Carolina at a time when they felt compelled to do more and to be of service to the LGBTQ+ community. They are excited to bring their years of experience empowering volunteers to advocate and make changes to the afterschool system to Equality NC. Z is rooted in a strong desire to understand the needs of the queer community in North Carolina and to contribute to transforming the system to ensure all LGBTQ+ people have access to the resources and opportunities they need. You can find Z in Durham playing kickball, riding their bike, hiking near the Eno River, or spending time with their partner and two cats.
Katie is honored to work toward the liberation of all LGBTQ+ North Carolinians! She is a licensed attorney from NC and the proud mom of two queer kids. When their youngest daughter transitioned, her family faced obstacles where a legal advocate would be beneficial, and Katie went back to school to become that legal advocate. She graduated from North Carolina Central University’s law school and passed the NC bar exam in 2020. Since then, she spearheaded a name and gender marker clinic at their law school, collaborated with the LGBTQ Center of Durham and Durham Public Library to offer an LGBTQ+ legal clinic, co-chaired a subcommittee of the NC Bar Association's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, been secretary of the NC Pauli Murray LGBTQ Bar Association, and served on the Board of Conversion Therapy Dropout Network. While liberation movement work sustains her, Katie also enjoys spending time with her family, taking their dog to the dog park, being outside, and reading.
