Impact Summit | Keynote Speakers

Jama Shelton Headshot

Wednesday Keynote: Jama Shelton, PhD

Jama Shelton, MSW, PhD is the Chief Strategy Officer at True Colors United and an Assistant Professor at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Dr. Shelton’s research examines the needs and experiences of LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness and the service providers with whom they work. In particular, Dr. Shelton is interested in identifying and addressing systemic barriers rooted in hetero/cisgenderism that frequently constrain the successful transition out of homelessness for LGBTQ youth and young adults. Previously, Dr. Shelton served as the Deputy Executive Director of True Colors United. In this role, Dr. Shelton was engaged in systemic change efforts directly informed by years of direct practice experience. Having worked in the areas of clinical practice with LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness, as well as program development, evaluation, research, technical assistance and training, Dr. Shelton brings a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing both LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness and also the service providers with whom they work. Most recently, Dr. Shelton co-edited the peer-reviewed text Where Am I Going to Go? Intersectional Approaches to Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness in Canada and the US, published by the Canadian Homelessness Research Network Press.

Check out Dr. Shelton’s Lightning Round talk from last year’s Summit:

Thursday Keynote: Dominique Jackson

We’re thrilled to announce that Thursday’s main stage plenary will feature Dominique Jackson, star of FX’s POSE. This groundbreaking series features the largest cast of transgender actors ever assembled in a scripted show, and in two seasons has already been nominated for two Golden Globes and three Emmys. 

Dominique will be joined by our Program Director and POSE choreographer Twiggy Pucci Garçon for a conversation about chosen family and how it relates to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. They’ll also be exploring what it means for a show like POSE to find mainstream success, particularly for the transgender community.

We can’t wait to hear what Dominique and Twiggy have to say! Their convo will take place during the Thursday (9/5) lunch plenary at the Impact Summit.

Watch Dominique and other members of the POSE cast discuss acceptance and representation in a video from this year’s #TrueColorsDay: