2025 Pride Committee

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Laura first joined MS Capital City Pride's festival planning committee in 2021 and has been part of the organization since then.  Her passion is promoting safe and fun spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in Jackson, MS, and throughout the state.  She hopes that the It's Pride Y'all Festival can be a place where the entire LGBTQIA+ community, and allies, can come together to celebrate authenticity and a hope for a better world.  Laura works as an archivist, helping to collect, preserve, and make accessible the history of all Mississippians. Laura is also the moderator for the LGBTQ Virtual Book Club in the Jackson area, sometimes connecting readers to authors of LGBTQ books!  In her free time, she dabbles in embroidery and felt crafts, poetry and creative writing, genealogical research, and 5k walks. Laura and her wife Ashley have two fur children: River (dog) and Thelma (cat).  They try to go camping at MS State Parks as much as possible!

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Lauren joined Mississippi Capital City Pride in 2023 and currently serves as Committee Co-Chair. A lifelong Mississippian, she is passionate about building spaces where authenticity, inclusion, and community thrive. Lauren has been an active member of the Jackson Roller Derby community for over eight years, where she has found deep connection, diversity, and empowerment. Through her work with MS Capital City Pride, she is committed to celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices, expanding visibility, and strengthening the fabric of Jackson’s growing queer community.

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Ainsley is a native of Jackson, MS. She currently works in administration, and is continuing her education in the fall at Belhaven University. Growing up queer in the South, Ainsley experienced the lack of representation in her immediate community and learned to find her footing along the way. She’s been an active member of the Jackson community for over ten years: working in restaurants, nannying for families, and balancing various jobs to build a network of Jacksonians, while becoming involved in various nonprofits around the city. She is passionate about equality and creating safe spaces for marginalized groups. Ainsley is an avid reader of history and science, and also helps lead a local arts-and-crafts group. She lives in Belhaven with her partner, Charles, and cat, Dookie.

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Brittany is an arts educator, strategist, and community advocate dedicated to expanding access to technology, education, and entrepreneurship. Through her work in art, education, and technology, she designs programs that explore emerging technologies and build sustainable futures.  With a background in art history and curriculum development, Brittany aims to bring a creative and inclusive approach to every project. She is passionate about helping people feel seen, heard, and equipped to lead. Her work in higher education bridges innovation and equity, emphasizing cultural relevance and community impact.

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This is Lyndsey’s first year volunteering and being involved with the It’s Pride Y’all Committee, and she’s excited to be part of the movement for visibility and change. A proud Jackson native, Lyndsey is dedicated to uplifting the local community and promoting equality for all. Inspired by the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community, she actively advocates for expanded rights across Mississippi.  As a passionate mental health advocate, Lyndsey works to raise awareness about the intersection of LGBTQIA+ identity, mental health struggles, and suicide prevention. Through education, outreach, and compassion, she serves as a voice for those in need and a committed supporter of progress and healing.  When she’s not advocating, Lyndsey enjoys life at home with her husband, two dogs, one cat, and seven beloved chickens.

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Tifani is a native Jacksonian who shares her home with two of her four daughters and a random assortment of rescue animals. Her lifelong passion for teaching has led her to her current role as a Senior Instructional Design Manager for Imagine Learning. She loves any excuse to help people with their calculus homework, to take pictures of smiling faces, and to be a safe place for anyone who needs comfort.

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Jasmine is a native of Magee, and currently resides in Brandon, MS. She is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Jalei and Jaysie. Jasmine obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Community Health Science & Family Studies, with a concentration in Psychology, in 2012 from The University of Southern Mississippi, and her Master of Counseling & Psychology from the University of West Alabama in 2015. She continued her studies in education at Belhaven University and later began working toward her PhD in Healthcare Administration. While obtaining her master degree she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.  Upon graduating, she has worked as a Community Support Specialist, Behavioral Specialist, Qualified Behavioral Health Professional, and Mental Health Therapist. She’s a Certified Mental Health Therapist, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Mental Health Life Coach, Certified Pre-Screening Psych Evaluator, Certified Professional Relationship Counselor, Certified Personal Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, CPI and CPR certified. She’s a member of Zeta Phi Beta Inc., via Rho Iota Zeta graduate chapter in Mendenhall. She played semi-professional women's tackle football with The Mississippi Lady Panthers via WNFC.  She is also a member of Girltrek, having run several marathons, half-marathons, ultras, and 10ks. She's a Mental Health Therapist bringing more than has  15 years of experience in counseling individuals of various ethnic and socio-economic background, including children, adolescents, adults, and the correctional population.  The settings includes Community Mental Health, short-term inpatient treatment, extensive outpatient services(MYPAC), residential and prison setting. She's a proud owner of three businesses: Life Lessons with Jasmine, Tailored 2 U Catering & Bartending Services, LLC., and JT3 Fitness, LLC. Jasmine has a passion for helping others: Early on, she was unsure of how she would achieve this, but knew it was her calling to help others. Jasmine feels that her first-hand experiences of  her own traumas throughout her life has been her motivation. She believes that you “grow through whatever you go through.” She’s very passionate about inner healing and self-care.

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Genetra is a passionate leader, educator, and advocate dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, and community empowerment. Also serving as the 2026 Board Chair-Elect of MS Capital City Pride, she champions safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, with a special focus on uplifting Black and marginalized voices. With over a decade of experience in education, professional development, and community outreach, Genetra brings visionary leadership and a heart for service to every initiative she leads. Her work is rooted in a commitment to social justice, mental health advocacy, and creating opportunities for emerging leaders. Through her work with MS Capital City Pride and beyond, she continues to inspire change, foster unity, and strengthen the movement for a more inclusive Mississippi. Genetra is a proud, life-long member of New Mt. Zion M. B. Church in Jackson, MS. She is also the proud fur mama to her chihuahua, Chi Chi Nicole.

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Marreo, a native of Carthage, MS, is serving his first year on the pride planning committee and the 2025 Board of Directors of MS Capital City Pride, stepping seamlessly into the role of Treasurer. He holds a Master's degree in Professional Accountancy from Jackson State University. With over twelve years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Marreo serves as the Owner and Principal Consultant of Financial Intelligence, a consulting firm specializing in nonprofit accounting, operations, and strategic planning.  Marreo shares: “People think accounting is boring. But if you’ve seen The Accountant with Ben Affleck, you know we’re basically superheroes with calculators. I just use mine to save nonprofits… not to, you know, fight crime.”  

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Kathy, originally born and raised in Florida, is a transplant to MS. She has been the executive director of The Good Samaritan Center since 1999. In that capacity, she works to make sure struggling families in the greater Jackson area, as well as Jones County, receive year-round services including case management, info and referral counseling, advocacy, clothing, and food. The organization has also grown to include HUB for the Hungry where food is rescued and given to food-insecure families.

Kathy has sat on a number of non-profit boards for charities that deal with homelessness, hunger relief, diversity and inclusion, ultra and trail running, triathlons, women and craft beer, and neighborhood development. She is a graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson and has a business degree from Belhaven University. She is the oldest of five children and loves her family very much.  Kathy’s hobbies include craft beer and cocktails, travel, being outside (whether hiking in the mountains or swimming at the beach), cooking for others, and live music. She joined the Mississippi Capital City Pride in 2020 as a Pride planning committee member and has been on the Pride Festival planning team ever since. Her extensive knowledge and leadership of planning fundraising races throughout the Capital City led her to coordinate MS Capital City Pride’s annual Rainbow Run 5k, which includes a run, walk, and a children’s fun run. This is her first year as a member of the MS Capital City Pride board. Kathy wants to be a positive presence that is always uplifting, insightful, supportive, and encouraging. She looks for opportunities for those around her to serve.  Helping people is what fills her heart. Creating safe places for all queer individuals and their allies, especially youth, has become a huge passion for her.

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Mary Ellen is a dedicated LGBTQIA+ ally and advocate. She relocated to Mississippi in 2018.  She has been volunteering for MS Capital City Pride for three years and this is her second year on the pride planning committee. Her involvement with MS Capital City Pride has been transformative. She is inspired by the passion and fierce dedication of the members and of those she has met in the community.  She is more inclined to take action than she’s ever been and deeply grateful for the friendships that have been cultivated by supporting this incredible community of people who are fighting to create safe spaces and a world for all to be their authentic selves.

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