Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Cole
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
My alma mater’s motto is “Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” This is etched onto my heart and soul. At Antioch College, we had an intensive cooperative education program that required us to travel, work, or study abroad 5x in our four years as undergrads. From this, I was involved in AmeriCorps programs, worked on organic farms in Hawai’i, and hiked 500 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. I gained a nuanced understanding of social issues and real-life experience in trying to make the world a more just place for all. This led to my work in the non-profit sector, initially running after-school and family support programs. In my graduate studies, I found a fantastic mentor, Dr. Jennifer Subban, who helped advance my understanding and skills as an organizational change leader. This also launched my career into fundraising and development, which opened doors into higher education and contemporary art, laying the groundwork for becoming an Executive Director. When Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce was hiring its first Executive Director, I knew I was ready for the challenge and the many growing edges. With the help of dynamic business and civic leaders, I’ve grown the organization’s mission, pivoted and guided us through the pandemic, and expanded our events from network nights to professional development and career readiness programming.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I grew up working class, so sometimes the roads were not paved. I share my childhood experiences often because I’m proud of the struggle and the beauty; I’m grateful for how suffering nurtured empathy within me. I always say that I was the smartest in my trailer park, and when I went to college, I was far out of my league. I was intimidated and felt like I didn’t belong there. I had to learn how to command space and be vulnerable and courageous. This need for tenacity was multiplied when I had my son in my 2nd year of school. Being a single parent and paying for college was not a path I walked alone. We as humans are meant to live in a community, so a village of professors, friends, and chosen family helped me grow into myself as a mother and created a safety net for my son.
We’ve been impressed with Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Did you know that in Ohio, LGBTQ people could be denied service at a restaurant, or you could refuse to rent a home to me because I’m a lesbian? We do not have the same protections against discrimination (i.e., race, class, religion, veteran status, sex, etc.), so a key part of the Plexus mission is to promote policies that protect LGBTQ rights and ensure equal opportunities. We need our allies in this work! When you consider the non-profit landscape in America, hundreds of thousands of organizations exist. Even in the LGBTQ space, there are tens of thousands. However, there are only 54 LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, so we play a unique and vital role in supporting LGBTQ businesses and professionals and advancing equity and inclusion in the business world. We promote economic growth and empowerment within the LGBTQ community by providing networking opportunities, business resources, career readiness, and professional development programs. Supporting LGBTQ entrepreneurs and businesses contributes to job creation, economic stability, and community development. Through our DEIB educational programs, training, and Employee Resource Council, we support 50 corporations in creating inclusive workplaces. Increased visibility and allyship in the workplace help challenge stereotypes and misconceptions, promoting acceptance and understanding. With 415 members in the chamber, we are a fantastic network for professionals, businesses, and non-profits.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Curiosity. I remain genuinely curious about my identity, experiences, and personality. This way, I can stay flexible and responsive to change. I apply this same curiosity in my work and around problem-solving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thinkplexus.org/
- Instagram: @plexuslgbt
- Facebook: @plexuslgbt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@plexuslgbtchamberofcommerce
