Student of the Month: Cydne' Kimbrough

Approaching her senior year at Coppin State University, Cydne' Kimbrough is a relatively new member of the HBCU queer student community. During the 2007-08 school year, Cydne’ established and chartered Coppin’s first LGBT student group - Diverse Essential Expressions of People United (DEEP-U). Coppin State’s nondiscrimination policy does not include gender identity, gender expression or sexual identity among its protected groups. It is evident that the Baltimore school needs a leader to help progress toward equality. Cydne’ approached the challenge with strength and determination. Her kind demeanor, positive reputation and thirst for change make Cydne’ the perfect figure for Coppin State’s much needed progressive movement.

Cydne’s ability to lead her university out of an oppressive era was not what initially caught my attention. Beyond her extracurricular work as Coppin’s LGBT student group president, Ms. Kimbrough works as an entrepreneur making a business out of fighting for equality. Cydne’ freelances as a Diversity Trainer and Gender/Sexual Health Educator. Qualified by her 10+ years of experience as a disease prevention counselor and gender equality activist, Cydne’ has become a valuable educator in her community.

Here’s a little more on Cydne':

+ Chairperson and President Board of Directors of Baltimore Black Pride, Inc.
+ Former Program Director of TransAm - the pioneering HIV Education/Prevention program for African American Transgender Persons in Baltimore
+ Served 3 years as member of the Maryland HIV Community Planning Group & Membership Committee Chair
+ Member of the Mayor's GLB/T Task Force
+ Co-founder and Executive Director of the Gender Learning Advocacy and Support System of Baltimore (G.L.A.S.S Baltimore) – scheduled to launch the fall of 2008

I don’t know where she finds the time. Cydne’ Kimbrough – she’s what’s happening.

Visit Cydne's Page: http://www.cydnekimbrough.com/