We are proud to announce LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s 2024 class of David Bohnett Leaders Fellows. These seven inspiring LGBTQ+ political leaders were selected to attend a three-week, Executive Education program at the Harvard Kennedy School thanks to a scholarship provided by the David Bohnett Foundation.
This opportunity will provide these leaders with the tools necessary to take their activism and passion to the next level. Alumni of this program go on to serve in all levels of government across the country. Other alumni include California Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO and former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, and Minneapolis City Council President Andrea Jenkins.
Below are the 2024 fellows. You can read more about the David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship here!
Fabian Nelson, Mississippi State Representative
Fabian Nelson is a father of four and a small business owner. For the last 15 years, Fabian has proudly owned and operated Mississippi United Realty, a Real Estate Firm specializing in making homeownership possible for first-time homebuyers. Mississippi United Realty has become a pillar in the Byram community by offering families homebuyer and financial literacy seminars.
Jason Hoskins, Michigan State Representative
Jason Hoskins currently serves in the Michigan House of Representatives representing Michigan’s 18th House District, which include the cities of Southfield, Lathrup Village, Farmington, Farmington Hills, and Oak Park. He serves as the Chair of the House Economic Development and Small Business, where he’s taken up bills dealing with everything from helping address affordable low-income and middle-class housing, helping small businesses and main street areas, helping communities redevelop land, passing historic research and development tax credits for Michigan businesses, and legislation that will and attract and retain talent to Michigan.
He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with his bachelor’s degree in political science and his master’s in public administration, with a concentration in local government management. He later received his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) School of Law. Hoskins is committed to civil liberties, having served in leadership roles at the ACLU. Before serving in the House, he served on the Southfield City Council, focusing on legislative and economic development initiatives. In addition to his career in state government, Jason was also an adjunct professor at Lawrence Tech University in Southfield, where he helped students explore ethical questions, leadership concepts, and societal and cultural issues.
Kameron Nelson, South Dakota Minority Whip & State Representative
Rep. Kameron Nelson (he/him) was elected in November 2022 as the first openly gay man to serve in the South Dakota State Legislature. Representing Legislative District 10 in Sioux Falls, he is the Minority Whip and serves on the House Health & Human Services Committee, House Commerce & Energy Committee, House Retirement Laws, and as a legislative liaison to the SD Board of Economic Development REDI Loan Fund. His legislative focus includes eliminating barriers to healthcare and mental health resources, improving education in SD, building public and private coalitions to combat childcare inequities, and championing access to affordable housing.
Outside of his legislative responsibilities, Kameron works as the Director of Major Gifts for the LifeScape Foundation providing financial resources to support children and adults with varied disabilities and complex medical needs across South Dakota and the Upper Midwest. He recently became Chairman for The Transformation Project supporting and empowering trans individuals and their families across South Dakota.
Rachel Bell, General Sessions Court, Division VIII (8) & Music City Community Court, Presiding Judge
Judge Rachel is the first openly bisexual judge in the State of TN and first elected Judge to identify LGBTQ in Nashville, TN. She was elected in 2012 and is the founder of the Music City Community Court (MCCC) with a mission to create initiatives focused on preventive, diversionary and restorative justice. Its vision is to do all it can to help break the playground to prison pipeline; to restore and rehabilitate lives by using its power and resources to move the needle for marginalized people. MCCC is the first in the State of TN and has 3 specialty courts named RESTORE Re-Entry Court for Returning Citizens, C.A.R.E. (Creating Avenues for Restoration & Empowerment) Diversionary Court for offenders that are Ages 18-30 and the L.E.G.A.C.Y. (Let Every Goal Achieve Continuous Yields) Housing Resource Diversionary Court & Program that provides tools to assist tenants dealing with rent arrearages and eviction. During COVID in 2021, Judge Rachel’s work was featured during the White House Eviction Prevention Summit and MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Show with Former Secretary of HUD, Julian Castro.
Tippi McCullough, Minority Leader & Arkansas State Representative
Tippi McCullough is a lifelong Arkansan. She has dedicated the last thirty-two years of her life educating young people. Tippi was moved to action when she was fired from her teaching job after marrying her longtime partner.
She has taught and coached in Northwest, Northeast, and Central Arkansas. Tippi made history as the first woman to serve as president of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association where she also served on the Girls All Star Committee and Executive Committee.
Tippi volunteers and serves on numerous boards in her community. In addition to her work with the Human Rights Campaign, Hillcrest Resident’s Association, the Democratic Party of Pulaski County, and the Stonewall Caucus, she is the co-chair of Pridecorps LGBT Youth Center, serves on the Kaleidoscope Film Festival Advisory Committee, and is active in her church, First United Methodist Church downtown where she serves on the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
She and her wife, prosecutor Barbara Mariani have made their home in District 33 for eighteen years.
Victor Aguilar, Jr. San Leandro (CA) City Councilmember
Councilmember Aguilar was elected to San Leandro City Council in 2018 and represents District 3. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Hawaii Pacific University and an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Pasadena City College. In the fall of 2019, he also earned a certificate from the University of Southern California Executive Education Forum for Policy through the Local Leaders Program. Councilmember Aguilar moved to San Leandro in 2011 from Los Angeles with his husband, Dr. Nolan Quinabo, PT, DPT. They reside in Floresta Gardens with their three bulldogs.
Zooey Zephyr, Montana State Representative
Representative Zooey Zephyr represents Montana’s 100th House District in the Montana House of Representatives and is the first trans woman to hold public office in the state of Montana. Throughout her time in office, Representative Zephyr has been a fierce advocate for affordable housing, healthcare, and human rights throughout Montana.
Prior to the legislature, Representative Zephyr worked at the University of Montana, where she oversaw the administration of the university’s curriculum approval process. She also worked as an activist, helping people file discrimination claims, drafting human rights policies for the city of Missoula, and working as a de-escalator at protests to ensure protester safety.
When the Legislature is not in session, Representative Zephyr works with people across Montana, the nation, and the world to help them get involved in the fight for progressive policies.
