Audre Lorde Project - Brooklyn
85 South Oxford Street
Brooklyn, New York, 11217-1607
Telephone: 212.463.0342
Fax: 212.463.0344
Office Hours
Our office isn't currently open to the public. Visit our Events page for upcoming opportunities to build with us, or reach out to our staff below for all inquiries.
Our Staff
Sanai (She/Her), Director of Development, email: sanai@alp.org
Sanai is a passionate fundraiser who centers her work on the transformative power of community. A proud Black transgender woman and the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, she draws upon her lived experiences and unwavering belief in collective care to champion causes that uplift social justice and equity. Her professional journey includes work with The Trevor Project, Cool Culture, TheatreWorksUSA, the Drug Policy Alliance, and WNET, where she has cultivated meaningful relationships with donors, crafted powerful narratives, and mobilized resources to advance arts accessibility, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, and educational equity. Sanai approaches fundraising not as a transactional endeavor but as a radical practice of care—creating spaces where joy, justice, and belonging can flourish. With an MA in Arts Administration from New York University and a BA in Music from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (HBCU), she brings a nuanced understanding of the arts as a vehicle for healing and transformation. A classically trained singer and theater enthusiast, Sanai finds joy in the power of creative expression to unite people and spark meaningful change. When she’s not fundraising or engaging in community advocacy, she’s savoring dhal puri roti, celebrating her heritage, or immersing herself in the magic of live theater. Her life’s work is a testament to the strength of community, the beauty of shared stories, and the boundless possibilities of love in action.
India (She/Her), Deputy Director, email: india@alp.org
As Deputy Director, India is primarily responsible for the oversight of organizational development, campaign management and programmatic work of the Audre Lorde Project.
India has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. In this time, she's engaged in leading direct service, political education, activism and community organizing. Prior to her role as Deputy Director, India served in youth and young adult ministry for Unitarian Universalist congregations.
India is a Black Queer Washingtonian with family and ancestral roots in the South. As an herbalist, she's very committed to centering healing justice within our movements and supporting Queer and Trans People of Color in transforming the medical industrial complex.
Baylor (They/Them), Political Education Coordinator, email: baylor@alp.org
Baylor (any pronouns) is an organizer and therapist from the South. They have experience organizing around prison abolition, gender-based violence, reproductive justice, and food justice. Their past work experience includes holding youth survivorship groups, research, providing individual therapy to queer and trans folks, and program management. They have a passion for political education, healing justice, somatic and parts work, and community building.
Dil (They/Any), Membership Coordinator, email: dil@alp.org
Dil is a queer Panjabi organizer rooted in anti-imperialist and abolitionist frameworks. They combine their lived experiences, cultural teachings, and public health expertise to drive systemic change and advocate for the liberation of all oppressed peoples. Dil joins ALP from the West Coast, bringing organizing experience with South Asians Resisting Imperialism (SARI) and research experience on HIV disparities among transgender people of color. A multi-faceted artist and serial hobbyist, Dil finds joy in sharing music, readings, and collaborative creative projects
with their communities.
Ideal (She/Her), Manager of Finance & Operations, email: ideal@alp.org
Ideal is a dedicated member of our organization, having been involved since her youth. She started her journey as a coordinator for the Young Women's Leadership Training program. Despite venturing into the corporate world and excelling in building top-performing teams and real estate development projects, Ideal has always remained an active and essential member of our organization. She has contributed significantly by providing valuable consultation and establishing connections between our organization and businesses in the community. Subsequently, Ideal joined ALP as the Manager of Finance and operations, showcasing her expertise in managing financial aspects and overall operations. She then transitioned to the role of Manager of Administration and operations, further demonstrating her versatility and ability to handle different responsibilities.
Talaya (They/She), Communications Coordinator, email: talaya@alp.org
As Communications Coordinator, Talaya (They/She) is excited to join ALP to bring the stories of members to light and to create a fresh and accessible look for their current communications. As a historian and experienced social media manager, Talaya is committed to using social media to highlight stories of LGTBTGNC POC and disseminating information in order to properly inform and arm to revolution. Talaya enjoys discussing her favorite historical period, The Civil Rights Movement, and listening to Megan Thee Stallion.
Indra (They/She), 3rd Space Coordinator, email: indra@alp.org
Indra is a queer, disabled writer, advocate and survivor. Indra joins ALP from Manavi, where she provided support and advocacy to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, and worked to dismantle structural barriers to resource access for immigrant communities. Her prior work experience includes grant writing, grassroots fundraising, and building financial resilience and economic solidarity in POC communities. She looks forward to bringing her passion for trauma-informed care and healing work to ALP’s 3rd Space Collective. Indra is an avid animal lover, and devoted dog mom to the two best rescue mutts in the world. In her downtime, she loves to read and play the piano. At ALP she hopes to become an active source of support and collaboration for 3rd Space members and beyond.
Oscar Alexis (They/She), Grassroots Fundraising Coordinator, oscar@alp.org
Oscar (they/he), the grassroots fundraising coordinator, plays a vital role in empowering individual and major donors to actively engage in and support the Audre Lorde Project's mission. Their vision is to create a world where community-based organizations in underserved communities have sustainable revenue infrastructures.
Oscar is from Puerto Rico and was raised in Ellenville, NY (The Catskills), driven by a deep passion for resourcing communities to thrive. Prior to arriving at ALP, Oscar served as a Revenue Specialist at Common Future, an organization dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap in the United States. Their journey into resource generation and fundraising began as a development fellow and eventual associate at Organizing Black, a Baltimore-based Black community organizing center, where they learned the importance of grassroots fundraising in community organizing. Oscar’s current goal is to host similar fellowships so more Black, Indigenous, and fundraisers of color can enter community based organizations. Oscar firmly believes in keeping communities both safe and well-funded on their own terms.
Oscar holds a BA in Philosophy with a minor in German Language from Hunter College, CUNY, and an MA in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University. An artist and philosopher at heart, Oscar spends their time discovering and listening to new artists, writers, and histories that spark their interest. They currently embrace a life motto: "You are the key to your heart."
Our Board
Naz, LMSW, Interim Board Chair
Naz LMSW (he/they), is a first-generation, Indo-Caribbean trans-masculine person based in New York City. Currently, he is the Interim Deputy Executive Director of Programs at the Ali Forney Center, a non-profit based NYC that provides wrap-around services, including housing, case management, mental health care, health care, and vocational and educational support to unhoused LGBTQ+ Youth ages 16-24 years old. Naz is a product of the CUNY system. They received their MSW from Silberman School of Social Work (2019) and a dual bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Culture and Deviance Studies with a minor in Human Service from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Naz has worked with LGBTQ youth for around ten years in varying capacities. He believes his calling is to work in collaboration with community to create a world where folks are able to live their authentic lives.
Norman, Board Member
Norman is a Los Angeles born, NYC loving, perpetual student. He came across ALP as an intern in undergrad and has forever been inspired by the dedicated work that the staff and community of ALP carry out.
He is currently pursuing a dual-title PhD at Penn State in Geography and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and has interests in queer of color critique, transnational feminisms, and labor inequalities amongst LGBTQ+ folks. Previously, he worked as an urban planner in Los Angeles, and facilitated project management for projects throughout the region. While working as a planner, he advocated for community-oriented approaches to policy and programs, which he accredits to being influenced by his time at ALP. He has a Master of Urban Planning from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in Sociology from California State University, Long Beach. While on the Board he will offer professional, research, and grant writing support.
Cheyenne, Board Member
Cheyenne is an advocate, storyteller, educator, and curator. They come from a background in political organizing and education, having formerly served as Director of In Solidarity (formerly Women of Color in Solidarity). Cheyenne is currently the Associate Education Director at Company One Theatre and the Contemporary Art Curator at Spiritual is Political. As an educator and organizer, their work has spanned international development, state and federal policy, reproductive justice, prison abolition, and land sovereignty. They have collaborated with organizations such as New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Wave Hill, ACLU, Black Feminist Futures, Democracy Now!, the Consortium for Gender Security & Human Rights, and The New School, among others. As a curator, Cheyenne centers histories, realities, and narratives that are often overlooked or erased. Their curatorial practice has included collaborations with Independent Curators International, The Studio Museum in Harlem, Indigenous Curatorial Collective, The New Museum, and The Longwood Art Gallery, among others. Their love for theater led them to write their first production, The Messenger, which was commissioned in 2022 by 5th Avenue Theatre. Cheyenne became an Artist in Residence at The Theater Offensive from 2023 to 2025. They hold a Bachelor of Arts in International Development and Social Change from Clark University and a Master of Arts in Comparative and International Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Damien, Board Member
Damien was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. A proud published Queer author, he hopes to shift the conversation of marginalized identities in children's books and other mediums. His story has been recognized by First Lady Tammy Murphy of New Jersey, the 2021 dotCOMM Platinum Awards, El Vocero de Puerto Rico, and Thems Health 2021 Children's Book Recommendation List.
He attended the Culinary Arts Institute at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City and completed his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Sciences at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. Damien has excelled in his advocacy role since the publication of his Children's Book "I Am a Prince". He began his advocacy journey by fundraising for LGBTQ organizations fighting against anti-transgender laws in the United States and donating gender-affirming clothing to queer youth across the world.
As an award-winning advocate, he has keynoted and facilitated conversations at local and national levels. Some notable organizations are the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, the New Jersey and NYC Bar Association, NJ Pride Center of Commerce, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Legal ONE, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. He is featured on NJ Spotlight News, Protecting Our Democracy with Sean Spiller, PBS, and NPR. He has been highlighted with his work on BookStar, "10 LGBTQ Books influencing young readers" and Insider's NJ Insider OUT 100: LGBTQ Power List, and was a proud member nominated to the 2023 New Jersey Anti-bullying Task Force.
Sayra, Board Member
Sayra has more than a decade of experience in nonprofit development and communications. She is currently the Associate Director of Institutional Advancement and Engagement at the Bard Prison Initiative, where she has worked since 2021. Sayra completed a Master's of Public Administration at Marist College, where she also earned a Bachelor's of Professional Studies and graduated summa cum laude. She is a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha and Alpha Chi academic honor societies and an active volunteer and community organizer with numerous New York City-based social justice organizations. Sayra was born in Korea and currently lives in Brooklyn with her senior rescue dog, Yeobo.
Jay, Board Member
Jay is a communications and public affairs leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategy across the healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical sectors. He has led high-impact HIV community campaigns for companies like Gilead, Merck, and BMS, with a focus on stakeholder-driven storytelling, executive visibility, and reputation management. Known for his ability to translate complex science into compelling narratives, Jay thrives at the intersection of scientific innovation, patient advocacy, and purpose.
Fun fact: When he's not shaping narratives, Jay is spinning vinyl records at home—often while chasing after his two young sons.
Debanuj, Board Member
Debanuj is Associate Professor of Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Debanuj's research and teaching focus on the global governance of migration, sexuality, and HIV. Debanuj utilizes collaborative scholar & activist research methods to write about the political potentials of trauma experienced by LGBTQ immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Prior to UCSB, Debanuj was Assistant Professor of Geography and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Connecticut (2016-2020). Debanuj served as Board Co-Chair of the Center for LGBTQ Studies (CLAGS) at the City University of New York between 2017 and 2022 and is on the editorial board of Geography Compass.
Debanuj is currently working on completing his monograph titled Queer Migrations in Three Meditations that documents the entanglements between HIV/AIDS, the global War on Terror, and the consolidation of the national-security state during the past three decades in the US. Debanuj is completing a graphic novel, tentatively titled COVID-19 Pandemic and Trans/Queer Life-Making in South Asia. The graphic novel is a collaboration with LGBTQIA+ activists from Kolkata, Imphal, Moirang, and Dhaka, along with artists Jit Ray and Rima Ray from Mad Earth Designs. Debanuj's new research is about queer gastronomy in contemporary urban India, and queer migrations in Argentina. As a feminist geographer, Debanuj remains interested in trans/queer place-making and world writing. She is the co-editor of Queer Then and Now: The David R. Kessler Lectures 2002-2020 (Feminist Press); Friendship as Social Justice Activism: Critical Solidarities in Global Perspective (University of Chicago Press), and Queering Digital India: Activisms, Identities and Subjectivities (University of Edinburgh Press).
He has been the recipient of several prestigious awards such as the Engaging the Humanities Research Award from the University of California Humanities Research Institute (UCHRI); Social Science Research Council (SSRC) Junior Scholar Award in Trans-Regional Studies: Inter-Asian Contexts and Connections; The Global Challenges Research Fund (UK) from the British Department for International Development (DFID); as well as fellowships from the Salzburg Global Forum, the United Nations Development Program and the German Government SZ. Debanuj is a survivor of the detention/prison industrial complex and has previously lived as an undocumented immigrant in the US for over a decade. Prior to joining academia, Debanuj has worked for over twenty years in movements for sexual liberation and migrant justice in both the US & India. They have a long-term love affair with the Audre Lorde Project and have previously worked as Health & Wellness Coordinator for the ALP, and were on the founding board of the Queer Immigrant Rights Project (QuIR) in New York City. In this capacity, they lead the fight to repeal the HIV Ban on immigration to the United States.
Sam, Board Member
Sam (they/she) is a Lebanese and Jewish filmmaker and independent cinema scholar who is passionate about supporting trans and queer organizing work, prison abolition, and indigenous organizing. Sam produced the Peabody award-winning and Emmy-nominated film Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four (Tribeca, 2016), which played a crucial role in the exoneration of four wrongfully convicted Latina lesbians. They received their PhD from University of Strathclyde examining lesbian representation in horror cinema. Sam has been an Impact Partners Producing fellow, Firelight Media Impact Producers of Color fellow, a Sundance Documentary Film fellow, and served as a screener and juror for Chicken & Egg Pictures, Tribeca Film Institute, NewFest, and InsideOut. As a film scholar, Sam has presented and published internationally and taught Queer Cinema at NYU Tisch Collaborative Arts. Their forthcoming book, Beyond the Lesbian Vampire: Reclaiming the Violent Lesbian in Contemporary Queer Horror, will be released in the fall of 2025. A lifelong New Yorker, Sam is also the Chief Financial Officer of their family’s commercial real estate company in the tri-state area. They served on the board of Resource Generation and facilitated Praxis for young folks of color with access to wealth and class privilege to work toward redistribution of wealth, land, and power. Sam currently lives with their partner and two cats in Brooklyn.