Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Haley. She and her team share her story with us below.
Hi Chanel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started in activism because I bluntly denied a job based on discrimination. From there, in 2008 after taking a crash course in political campaign training, that training was immediately used in helping to elect the nation’s first African-American OUT lesbian elected to a general assembly, Simone Bell. Becoming the weekend volunteer coordinator for that campaign and later office manager and volunteer coordinator for future campaigns. Later, during 2010-2014 the Senior Legislative Aide to Georgia State Representative Simone Bell. I am the first African-American Transgender person hired by the Georgia House of Representatives assigned to four Republicans and three Democrats. Appointed to the City of Atlanta Human Relations Commission by Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell in 2014. Later to be elected Chairperson in 2016-2018. Making her the first Trans-person to chair any City of Atlanta constituted board. She secured a 20k budget, the first for the Commission. The Human Relations Commission is the governing board for Atlanta’s nondiscrimination ordinance. The position with the commission gave her the authority to facilitate Trans* Humility Training at all the homeless shelters within Atlanta city limits. She is co-author of the “S.L.E.E.P. training manual” for the City of Atlanta.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Coalition Building is always challenging. For me, that has been the biggest challenge. Trying to walk the fine line without upsetting allies.
Thanks for sharing that. What else should we know?
As the Gender Policy Manager for Georgia Equality, Chanel leads efforts that ensure nondiscrimination legislation and policies in the broad areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, law enforcement, safe schools, access to health care, education and voter registration access is inclusive of transgender and gender variant individuals and communities. And helps to build relationships with businesses and corporate environments that may have little or no LGBT background and experiences throughout the state of Georgia. She works with Elected Official and policymakers locally and statewide. By request, Chanel has been contracted to facilitate sensitivity training and police interactions by the National Center for Victims of Crimes for the city of Philadelphia and a Chicago affiliate. And regularly participate in police scenarios with Recruits for the Atlanta Police Academy. With appearances at 15 universities on 17 campuses, including Yale University. She currently facilitates “Trans* 101 Humility” Trainings by request custom for any type of organization.
In 2016 and 2017, her facilitation included the Federal Bureau of Prisons. And in 2021, the Department of Juvenile Justice. In 2018, Ms. Haley designed a one-year Leadership Academy cohort of Transmen and Transwomen with a $200k grant. Where they learned: to effectively communicate about the transgender community, acquire confidence in public speaking, coalition building, civic engagement, policy fundamentals, gain a proficient understanding of government and how to communicate with elected officials advocating for themselves. At the end of the two separate one-year classes, the 21 participants are now able to apply their newly acquired skills to any career field. The grant has been renewed for two more years. Chanel Haley holds certifications in Diversity & Inclusion and Leadership in Employment Law from Cornell University, SCHRM, HRCI approved. And is a certified Medical Assistant.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
The most important thing that I do is “public engagement”. But it doesn’t matter how much engagement I do if YOU are not exercising your right to vote for fair-minded policymakers.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chanel.haley/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanel-haley-5b356038/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/TransActionGA
