Ashley L. Coleman
Ashley L. Coleman (she/her) has been a fixture in the LGBTQ community in Philadelphia for over ten years. She began her activism and advocacy as a youth, leading Queer youth ininitatives and lobbying her school board for inclusive education, while producing large scale events profiting nonprofits in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Ashley was a passionate high school educator in North Philadelphia and owner of the community forward non-profit event company, Bash Events. She served on the LGBT Meeting Planners Association advisory board, striving to make LGBTQ events and experiences safe and equitable for all QTBIPOC. Ashley was proudly the general conference coordinator of the world’s largest Trans specific conference from 2016-2019. Ashley was also the writer and producer of the well received ‘Musical Microaggressions,’ performed at Washington College. Ashley is now the Executive Director of Galaei, excited to provide authentic, affirming services and education for QTBIPOC by QTBIPOC. Ashley is dedicated to creating opportunities, social progress, and amplifying the voices of those most marginalized in our communities.
Quote: “Cultivating opportunities and QTBIPOC focused resources for our communities is not a challenge, but a fundamental responsibility of my career and my life. As a Black, Queer, woman I am dedicated to knocking down oppressive barriers, building or rebuilding and maintaining strong community bonds. It is time to strip away the white supremacist systems that have segregated our Black and Brown communities. It is time to take care of each other, together.”
Our phenomenal Executive Director that was awarded the prestigious “40 under 40 Award” on August 24, 2022.
It’s been a monumental year of change and a massive step forward for our organization as we continue to serve the residents city of Philadelphia,
Ashley is committed to the ideal that in order to be a leader there must be a commitment encouraging leadership in others.
This is a huge honor in recognition of her hard work, leadership and dedication to her mission of healing historical harm, community wellness and queer education