Our Team
Elisa Crespo
She/Her
Executive Director of NEW Pride Agenda
Elisa Crespo is a trans Latina advocate and former public servant who has fought to promote civic engagement and elevate the LGBTQ community’s voice in halls of power. Prior to becoming the first executive director of the New Pride Agenda, Elisa served as Education Liaison to the Bronx Borough President’s Office. She made history by becoming the first transgender woman of color to run for public office in the Bronx. Under her leadership, the NEW Pride Agenda spearheaded a statewide coalition whose advocacy resulted in a $3 million dollar Transgender Wellness & Equity Fund, making New York the second state in the country to establish a fund of its kind. Elisa graduated from John Jay College obtaining her Bachelors in Political Science and a minor in Human Rights. Ms. Crespo and her efforts have been featured in numerous media platforms including LGBTQ Nation, OUT Magazine, Marie Claire and NBC News. Most recently, Elisa was recognized for her contributions to social change by being listed in City and State’s 2022 “40 under 40” list. She currently lives in the Bronx with her partner and has no furry loved ones.
Kei Williams
They/Them
Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives
Born and raised in Upstate New York, Kei is a self-taught visual artist and community organizer. A founding member of the Black Lives Matter Global Network, Kei has helped build some of the most powerful movements of our time. Kei currently lives in Queens, New York with his dog Spartacus and 12 inherited plants.
Jocelyn Bula
She/Her
Program Coordinator
Jocelyn Bula is a Puerto Rican woman of Transgender experience born and raised in New York. She is a three-time college graduate, with two Associate Degrees and a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Jocelyn is a well-known figure in the Ballroom Scene, which began in New York City and is now a global phenomenon. Jocelyn is the Mother of the International House of Milan and is known for being on the hit show “Legendary” on HBO Max.
Johnathan "Jaszi" Alejandro
He/Him
Community Health Coordinator
Johnathan Alejandro, also known as “Jaszi,” is a male-identified pansexual social justice activist. Growing up as the youngest of six kids, the Nuyorican Bronx native grew up with the desire to change the world. Jaszi worked with organizations such as The Hetrick-Martin Institute and F.I.E.R.C.E, where he took an interest in the issues that impact at-risk LGBTQ youth: Homophobia, Transphobia, Homelessness, and HIV/AIDS. After contracting HIV as a teenager, Jaszi developed a passion to educate the world on the realities of living with HIV and began working towards ending HIV stigma. As a young adult Jaszi co-chaired the NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute’s Young Adults Consumer Advisory Committee (YACAC) and became a spokesmodel for the nationally known campaign “HIV Stops With ME.” Jaszi also served as the original spokesmodel for one of GMHC’s largest social marketing campaigns, “I Love My Boo,” an anti-homophobic public awareness campaign that promoted healthy relationships amongst POC & MSM. The campaign won the award for the Most Outstanding Social Marketing campaign at the GLAAD Amplifier Awards. Jaszi’s success as a spokesmodel led him to become a full-time Community Health Specialist at GMHC, where he helped launch the first official youth drop-in center called CLUB 1319, an after-school program for young MSM ages 13-19. Jaszi aspires to live in Hawaii one day, but until then, he is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Lehman College and resides with his dog dynasty of miniature pinschers.
Faris Ilyas
They/them
Policy Counsel
Faris was born and raised in NY and received their J.D. from NYU School of Law in 2022. Prior to joining The NEW Pride Agenda, Faris worked as a legal fellow with the Urban Justice Center in New York, where they advocated for the decriminalization of consensual sex work and expanding services for sex workers living in NYC. During their time as a law student, Faris worked for the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, where they provided legal assistance to incarcerated TGNCI people, and they worked with the Exploitation Intervention Project of The Legal Aid Society, where they assisted with post-conviction advocacy on behalf of sex workers, victims of trafficking, and victims of domestic violence.
Brittan Hardgers
He/Him
Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement
Educator, Activist, Advocate, Public Speaker, and the 1st Black Transgender person to openly run for Rochester City Council - Brittan Hardgers is the President and founder of Next Generation Men of Transition (NGMT). Upon embarking on his own physical transition, Brittan founded NGMT and has worked tirelessly to build national visibility for Trans Masculine individuals. Brittan has participated in numerous panels across the country, including Emory University, GEVA Theatre, University of Rochester, Rochester Public Defender's Office, Wind Stream, Aria Strategies and more. Brittan is the VP of the Greater Rochester LGBTQ+ Political Caucus, CEO of W.A.V.E Women Inc, Co-Creative Director of Cover Design and creator of the column "TRAN/s/: featured in Blaque/Out Magazine.
Our Board
Kyle Ishmael
Co-Chair of the NEW Pride Agenda
Victor Sanchez
Co-Chair of the NEW Pride Agenda
Cynthia Dames
Development Chair
Anish Bramhandtam
Secretary & Treasurer of the NEW Pride Agenda