Image description: on a purple background bold text says "WELCOME CYNTHIA! OUR NEW LEAD ORGANIZER" and Cynthia smiles while playing a large drum strapped to their shoulders and marching.on a pink background. To the right, bold text says "WELCOME ERI! OUR NEW DEVELOPMENT MANAGER" and Eri in a blue outfit and a red cap smiles at the camera.
Image description: on a purple background bold text says “WELCOME CYNTHIA! OUR NEW LEAD ORGANIZER” and Cynthia smiles while playing a large drum strapped to their shoulders and marching. To the right, on a pink background bold text says “WELCOME ERI! OUR NEW DEVELOPMENT MANAGER” and Eri in a blue outfit and a red cap smiles at the camera.

Welcome LavNix’s New Leaders!

November 23, 2022 — By Lavender Phoenix

Dear Lavender Phoenix Community,

I’m excited to welcome two new staff leaders to Lavender Phoenix: eri oura (they/them) and Cynthia Fong (they/them)! eri, our new Development Manager, is an experienced fundraiser, educator, and builder of trans and queer BIPOC communities. Cynthia, our new Lead Organizer, is a long-time housing justice organizer, a founding member of Lavender Phoenix’s Core Committee, and a pillar in LavNix’s community.

Image description: on a pink background bold text says "WELCOME ERI! OUR NEW DEVELOPMENT MANAGER" and Eri in a blue outfit and a red cap smiles at the camera.
Image description: on a pink background bold text says “WELCOME ERI! OUR NEW DEVELOPMENT MANAGER” and Eri in a blue outfit and a red cap smiles at the camera.
Image description: on a purple background bold text says "WELCOME CYNTHIA! OUR NEW LEAD ORGANIZER" and Cynthia smiles while playing a large drum strapped to their shoulders and marching.
Image description: on a purple background bold text says “WELCOME CYNTHIA! OUR NEW LEAD ORGANIZER” and Cynthia smiles while playing a large drum strapped to their shoulders and marching.

As LavNix’s new Development Manager, eri will lead powerful grassroots fundraising campaigns and mobilize resources for our community. As our first-ever Lead Organizer, Cynthia will help our members lead campaigns for their safety and healing, and support our staff organizing team to lead strategically and sustainably.

When asked how they’re most excited to grow in this role, eri and Cynthia shared:

Eri: It is such an honor to join the LavNix team! I am most excited to learn how LavNix builds community and adds to the movement for liberation. I am excited to offer my experience as a community organizer and fundraiser, and a huge place in my heart for TQAPI community!

Cynthia: I am excited to learn more about organizing with and for our full selves, around campaigns that will make a difference to QTAPI livelihood and our greater movement for justice. I am excited to offer my skills, commitment and experience in campaign development and movement-building. Hopefully we will try new things and make new mistakes, all to get us closer to freedom in the long-run.

We’re proud to invite Eri and Cynthia back to join our staff team as two former volunteers and members. We’re certain their leadership will transform LavNix and help trans and queer APIs thrive. Please help us radically welcome them into their new roles! If you want to get in touch, you can find them at eri@lavenderphoenix.org and cynthia@lavenderphoenix.org.

With hope and solidarity,

Yuan Wang
Director