Jerron Totten is a 14-year political operative veteran and a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Originally from North Carolina, Jerron has been deeply involved in political and community activism, serving on the Obama, Clinton, Biden, and most recently, Harris campaigns, where he held the role of Michigan State Operations Director.

Now residing in Detroit for nearly six years, Jerron has spent this time of his career as an LGBT advocate in the non-profit space managing HIV prevention and intervention programs, Black LGBT Pride events and voter education programming. Beyond his professional achievements, Jerron is a proud husband to Brandon Totten and a devoted dog dad to King and Prince.

Scott Ellis is a native Michigander and a 2014 graduate of Saginaw Valley State University, where he earned a B.A. in Communications. After graduation, Scott began his career in Bay City’s maritime industry, directing marketing and special events for BaySail, the nonprofit that owns and operates the Appledore Tall Ships. During his tenure, Scott was part of the leadership team that produced the award-winning Tall Ship Celebration festivals in 2013, 2016, and 2019.

In 2017, Scott joined the board of Great Lakes Bay Pride (formerly Perceptions), becoming the coordinator of the Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival that same year. For the past eight years, he has successfully produced annual events and programs on behalf of the organization. Great Lakes Bay Pride is the region’s LGBTQ+ education, advocacy, networking, and resource organization, serving Saginaw, Bay, Midland, and Isabella counties.

In October 2019, Scott was appointed as Great Lakes Bay Pride’s first full-time Executive Director, a role he continues to serve in today. Under his leadership, the organization successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, undergoing significant internal and external changes that strengthened its capacity to serve a marginalized and often under-resourced community.

Scott is currently serving on the Board of Directors and the Community Improvement Initiative committee of the Saginaw Community Foundation. He also chairs the Michigan LGBTQ+ Centers Network and is active with the Northeast Citizens District Council in Bay City. In 2022, Scott graduated from the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance’s Institute for Leaders and in 2024, he will receive the SVSU Alumni Association’s Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Distinguished Alumni Award.

Tieanna Burton is a social impact leader dedicated to uplifting underrepresented communities through education and advocacy. Her passion for this work was ignited in undergrad as a founding member of Alabama State University AMPLIFIED, where she helped establish the university’s first organization dedicated to serving LGBT Hornets. She went on to volunteer with the Human Rights Campaign and support various campaigns and ballot initiatives across the South.

Upon returning to her hometown of Detroit, Tieanna created The Bi Queer, a digital platform and storytelling space amplifying Black and Brown voices within the queer community. Her dedication to visibility and inclusion led to her historic crowning as Miss Hotter Than July in 2022 for the world’s longest-running Black Pride event.

Her commitment to civic engagement and political activism remained steadfast, leading her to serve as Michigan HR Operations Director for both the Biden/Harris and Harris/Walz campaigns.

Driven by a deep commitment to social justice, Tieanna continues to create inclusive spaces and advance progressive values that center marginalized communities. She is also the proud fiancée of Erin Lawler, with whom she will joyfully wed on New Year’s Eve 2026.

Jonathan Gonzales is an experienced political organizer and dedicated community activist with a strong background in local and statewide campaigns. He began his career in 2018, volunteering for the Abdul El-Sayed for Michigan campaign during the mid-term elections. Since then, Jonathan has held various leadership roles, including serving as the Regional Organizing Director for the Michigan Democratic Party's One Campaign. Additionally, he is the founder of Downriver Easter Bunnies, an annual community event that brings people together each Easter. Jonathan currently serves as the Precinct Delegate for Wyandotte's 5th precinct. He is a committed public servant, a proud husband to Emily Gonzales, and a loving dog dad to Pennie, Lucy, and Ruby.

Toria Turner is a Former Deputy Operations Director for the Michigan Coordinated Campaign for BIDEN/HARRIS to HARRIS WALZ 2024, with deep roots in Detroit communities as a passionate advocate and organizer. With over 10 years of experience in the Maternal Infant Health profession, she has worked as a Community Engagement Coordinator, Lactation Specialist, and Doula.

Toria held a pivotal role as Community Engagement Coordinator for the Detroit Health Department and has earned certifications in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from CADIA, as well as a Reducing Racial Disparities in Healthcare certification from Harvard University. She has also served as a moderator for implicit bias microaggression training for 1st and 3rd-year medical students at Wayne State University. Toria is a community advisor for the Cardiovascular Health Equity Association Council and the Health Equity Action Network at Wayne State University.

A dedicated wife and mother of two, Toria is deeply committed to advancing democracy and addressing the social determinants of health through political and grassroots action.