[NEW EPISODE] "From Stonewall to Pride

Fridays 10:00am - 11:00am (EDT)

EPISODE SUMMARY:

A better understanding of how Pride events and operations work, and the impact of fundraising in supporting LGBTQIA+ organizations in New York City and nationwide.

Kazz Alexander is a passionate and experienced nonprofit executive with a demonstrated history of enhancing programs and student experiences in non-profit management and youth development. Kazz has mostly recently served as Founding Executive Director of Hit The Books, Harlem NY’s first community-based organization focused on combining the pillars of mixed martial arts with mentorship and tutoring. Kazz holds a B.A. in history and has also earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia, as well post-graduate certificates from Fordham University (Executive Education), Baruch College (Non-Profit Management) and NYU (Diversity and Inclusion). Prior to leading Hit the Books and TeachableNYC, Kazz served as Chief Program Officer at BCNY, and as Director of several non-profits in New York and New Jersey. Kazz also serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors at NYC Pride, advancing LBGTQIA+ community causes and organization partnerships throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Show Notes

‍Segment 1

Segment 2

Segment 3

‍Segment 4

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Transcript

00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:54.799 Tommy DiMisa: World. What up world? It's your boy, the one, and only because I made it up the one and only nonprofit sector connector.

00:00:54.840 --> 00:01:12.899 Tommy DiMisa: I know I'm the nonprofit sector Connector, because I decided that I was going to be the nonprofit sector connector. And now it's on my business card man. So J. That's just the way it is. This shows called philanthropy and focus. It's a dream man. It's a dream. It's a vision that I had. I'll tell you. I woke up this morning. I was listening to something on Youtube about manifesting things.

00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:24.960 Tommy DiMisa: And I remember going around telling people this show was gonna happen. This show called Philanthropy and Focus. It had a title. It had an idea. It even had a host, your boy. And then what happened? It didn't start for like 2 years.

00:01:24.960 --> 00:01:52.299 Tommy DiMisa: because I was just going around talking about it right? So I see my friend Kaz, my guest today. See him nodding, and said, gang. If you want to do that thing, whatever that thing is lean in, try it. It's probably not gonna work out as exactly as expected. In fact, it might be better than you expected. Just do the thing, and then you figure it out right. You got something to work with, you know. It's I think in life most of us are just kind of wet cement. Anyway. Man, we're just kind of figuring some things out and trying to figure out what we're going to be, the impact we're gonna make in the world. And this is

00:01:52.300 --> 00:02:04.169 Tommy DiMisa: this opportunity, this platform philanthropy and focus where each week I bring a leader of a nonprofit organization on to help them tell their story and amplify their message as part of my impact. It's part of what I'm doing in the world, and

00:02:04.390 --> 00:02:25.429 Tommy DiMisa: I don't know how long the Internet's going to be around. But I think the show will be here as long as the Internet's going to be around. I don't know. I think I don't know, Cass, so I'd like someday there might be like this Dystopian situation where the Internet's gone, and then nobody will be able to see. Where is everybody? What happened? Well, as long as there's an Internet, you'll still be able to find this show. And I think podcast platform is just a really cool opportunity.

00:02:25.430 --> 00:02:38.900 Tommy DiMisa: You know, we do this show a little differently. It's always an interview. It's not me, just ranting, although, trust me, I could fill hours of just ranting about stuff. But I'll get on the soap box later. Today. I want to say hello to my friend Kaz Alexander Kaz. Good morning. How are you, sir?

00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:41.379 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Good morning, Tommy. Happy Friday! Happy to be here with you!

00:02:41.380 --> 00:02:51.589 Tommy DiMisa: Happy Friday to you, man. Happy pride, right is what we're here to talk about, and we're going to get into that Nyc pride. We're going to talk about all that stuff, a couple of things, couple of shout outs I have to make.

00:02:52.070 --> 00:03:12.760 Tommy DiMisa: I feel compelled, and I don't know if it'll set a theme for what we're talking about, or I feel compelled to bring up a discussion I had last week with 4 executive directors of nonprofit out of the Piscardi center out here in Long Island. I interviewed these 4. So if you were tuning in last week, you might have realized, hey? I feel like I heard the show a week ago, because you did cause I replayed a show because I was I was interviewing

00:03:12.760 --> 00:03:29.429 Tommy DiMisa: Dr. Larry Grubbler from Tsi and Y transitional services of New York Yolanda Rabano Gross from an organization called Options for Community Living, Jeff Mcqueen from the Mental Health Association and NASA County and Gene Butler from encourage kids foundation.

00:03:29.450 --> 00:03:39.680 Tommy DiMisa: And a lot of what we were talking about was mental health and and the you know, the conversation around the stigma of of things, and I led that meeting by by a quote that

00:03:40.061 --> 00:03:48.340 Tommy DiMisa: I attribute it to Robin Williams, because that's with the Internet told me. But everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

00:03:48.760 --> 00:03:49.990 Tommy DiMisa: Be kind

00:03:50.220 --> 00:04:05.750 Tommy DiMisa: always. And if I could set that out there as an intention for folks to think about. It's like man. If we could just greet people with love, compassion, consideration in every interaction, or at least as many as we can manage to reach people that way. Man, I think it'd be a

00:04:05.750 --> 00:04:23.020 Tommy DiMisa: I think it'd be a happier place, you know. I think we'd be better better connected, better related as a as a race of humans. But that's just, you know. Maybe that's maybe that's too much Utopia for some people. But I say, in the little world you all live in, whoever you're gonna interact with today. Meet them with love.

00:04:23.020 --> 00:04:38.809 Tommy DiMisa: I love hugging people, man meeting with a hug, if that's cool, but ask first, st make sure everybody's down with a hug not everybody wants to hug. But I will say, Hey, are we hugging? That's what I do. Kaz, hey, are we hugging man? So so, Kaz, I I have a bunch of information about you to read. I I do want to just there's 1 other quick shout out, I want to!

00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:41.049 Tommy DiMisa: I want to do. A couple years ago

00:04:41.455 --> 00:04:47.455 Tommy DiMisa: this was how we connected. I joined a cohort for the Institute for nonprofit practice. And

00:04:48.180 --> 00:05:16.979 Tommy DiMisa: you know, I knew going into that work that I was gonna meet a lot of great people, and I knew I was gonna learn some things, too. But what was really came out of it for me was, I know I'm gonna make great relationships meet really cool people. Have these relationships that will last a long time. You know. I I think of Michael Partis. I think of Maheen Collim. You know. I think a lot of the folks. I I think my friend Brant Lingle, who was in that coursework, who I and I don't even think, Cas you and I ever connected like in a little cohort, or anything but like I reached out to a few people after practice, said, You know we should connect. We should keep in touch.

00:05:17.204 --> 00:05:29.990 Tommy DiMisa: Brant Lingle's become a friend. He's involved with the I don't know if you knew Brant, but Brant runs you know he does a lot of work with us with the the networking group Tng. He's living down in Virginia right now. So it's just funny how things happen. So I knew I would learn things

00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:35.959 Tommy DiMisa: when I went to that course work. But what it, you know, it was a year long. It was 9 months. It was a school year, you know, but I

00:05:35.970 --> 00:05:56.410 Tommy DiMisa: I knew what would be most important would be the relationships. And when you call yourself the nonprofit sector connector relationships is where it's at. That's what I'm focused on. So I appreciate you coming on the show. You've been on the show months and months, probably years ago. At this point with we hit the books, which is an organization you founded. But this game is pretty easy on the game show host. You're the contestant is how it goes.

00:05:56.410 --> 00:06:19.449 Tommy DiMisa: you know. Look it! I want to hear about you. I want to hear about. You know the work you're doing, you know, in community generally, specifically in the community, as it relates to Nyc pride. And then we're gonna talk about the organization. You know, it is June 14, th 2,024. As we as we do this, I think I asked you for this interview back in like February, because we were like, where can we kind of slot me my show into your

00:06:19.450 --> 00:06:39.589 Tommy DiMisa: busy schedule and the incredible work you're doing. So as Co. Chair of Nyc. Pride, right? You're here representing the organization, and I want to hear from you, sir, though tell me about your background. What brought you to nonprofit? Why is this work you do you know. I mean, you got the Ramble organization. Let's just dive in, I mean. Look, I will read a little bit. I'll I'll read a little bit.

00:06:39.590 --> 00:06:44.380 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Yeah, it's a it's funny, cause you're bringing up all the all the good stuff. So go ahead.

00:06:44.380 --> 00:06:57.969 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah. So here, here's let me drop this on them real quick. So BA. In history and a master's degree in education from Uva University of Virginia, right post graduate certificates from Fordham University in executive education.

00:06:58.030 --> 00:07:08.149 Tommy DiMisa: Peru college nonprofit management, and Nyu diversity and inclusion. You organize, or rather you led you leading hit the books and teachable Nyc.

00:07:08.516 --> 00:07:37.270 Tommy DiMisa: chief program officer at BC. And y. Director of several nonprofits like, you know, what's funny, man? I always love it because people go. Hey, man, I look here like Linkedin profile, Tommy Dan, it looks like you like 9 jobs like, how do you do it all, man, I go. You just do. You just do it, man like not, they say, give you need something. Don't give it to a busy person. Maybe I just think we segment the things. And sometimes when I'm doing one job, I'm doing 3 at the same time, because it's a it's community. Bro, it's all interaction, and it's

00:07:37.270 --> 00:07:47.509 Tommy DiMisa: it's all related and connected. Why, sir, did you decide that you wanted to spend your time in the social services in the nonprofit world. Why was that important to you?

00:07:47.510 --> 00:07:59.500 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: That? That's a great question. And again, thanks for having me on this morning, Tommy. You, you're dropping a lot of gyms. Some try and pick some of them up on the way. But but I think a long time ago

00:07:59.931 --> 00:08:08.539 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I decided that I wanted to do something impactful. With my career. And I know you know folks go to

00:08:08.730 --> 00:08:10.130 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: great lengths

00:08:10.541 --> 00:08:34.700 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: to become educated in the field of their choice, to learn a specific craft or industry, and I did all of that. But what spoke to me at a very young age was giving back to young people. So I consider myself an educator. I've always been a teacher whether that be in the classroom in the boardroom. So the work that I do is above, across the board. It it's it's educating, it's teaching, it's working

00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:50.229 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: community. So I decided to forego huge salary at a very young age. I I say this at the top of most of my workshops and classes. I've never had any job outside of teaching. I worked in a traditional office for one day. You know what I did that day, Tommy.

00:08:50.630 --> 00:08:51.275 Tommy DiMisa: Wait. I guess.

00:08:51.490 --> 00:08:54.829 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Quit. I was like, I can't work in this cubicle.

00:08:54.830 --> 00:09:09.958 Tommy DiMisa: Oh, man, cubicle cubicles are killer man, you know. It's funny, like I. I've always been in sales, and I have worked for large companies, but I always said the only job I could do would be in sales profession, because, like, I don't know, there's something about those ultra, not ultra viable those lights like those

00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.240 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Address it.

00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:22.156 Tommy DiMisa: Fluorescent. Thank you. Ultra Violet. I like ultraviolet lights. I don't like fluorescent lights so. But there's something you go in those, Flora. I can't do it, man. It's like it's like where the soul goes to disappear. I think I think that's.

00:09:22.410 --> 00:09:50.629 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Well, I mean, you know, there's some folks that that thrive in those conditions right? There's some folks that like like the maybe process or orientation operations. And I I think everyone just needs to find the place that they're successful. I think that's something that Gen. Z. Got right. Where do I want to be successful? And I think I tapped into that. Luckily I have really supported family and parents who, my mom especially, who's also a teacher. Who is like find the place we've

00:09:50.630 --> 00:09:57.579 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: best fit and I did that really early. So you know, started my 1st job in the nonprofit sector. When I was 15.

00:09:57.580 --> 00:09:58.170 Tommy DiMisa: So right.

00:09:58.170 --> 00:10:23.760 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Working with young people. Yeah, I was. I was a a kindergarten classroom assistant at Brooklyn College Camp. I'll never forget I was 15 years old. So that's the 1st job that I had, and I've only ever worked in the nonprofit sector, mostly with young people and as a as an educator for this is my 26th year in in the field of education and nonprofit. So so I agree with you. The idea of

00:10:24.370 --> 00:10:46.390 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: finding yourself in your work is foundational. But then, you know, from there people like, Oh, you have a lot of different work that you do, but it's all connected, and it has come from networking. So you so I I'm a practitioner of of that as well. So you know everything from our work. As a

00:10:46.600 --> 00:11:02.959 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: director of community centers and and working in nonprofits. I've probably been to at least 75, if not a hundred different nonprofits in the Tri state area. Doing workshops, doing coaching over the last decade.

00:11:03.881 --> 00:11:21.650 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: You know, I've I've learned the ropes, but also put in the time. So I've done all of the jobs as well, and and if folks have worked with me in the past Hello! But you know that I'm very hands on, and so that that carries itself into the work that I do now. So if it's been at, you know Ramapho for children.

00:11:22.178 --> 00:11:41.910 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: or at the Boys Club of New York, or at any of the other organizations that I've partnered with over the years as a as a nonprofit professional working with young people. It's been one stepping stone after another. So my work with New York City pride is connected, and really doesn't feel that different from from the past.

00:11:41.910 --> 00:11:48.680 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, yeah, that's that's so cool. Because, as I'm 1st of all, thank you for everything you're doing and all the work you do, because it did.

00:11:48.730 --> 00:11:51.030 Tommy DiMisa: I believe the children are afraid.

00:11:51.420 --> 00:12:12.890 Tommy DiMisa: Well knew he was gonna Sing. He knew I knew Tommy d knew I was. Gonna say, but you know. That's the thing, man like I, my wife and I are raising 4 children. They happen to be our 4 children. I don't know why I said it that way. But we're raising out 4 children. And you know, one day at a time sounds like, you know, you know the fact that I don't drink anymore is one day at a time. The fact I'm raising children is one day at a time. We're just trying to get through trying to get through the day, man.

00:12:12.890 --> 00:12:38.979 Tommy DiMisa: But you know, the fact that that they are the future of this country, of this planet of this world is that we need to give these young people what they need and and kind of give them a glimpse in the empowerment. I don't know why this is coming up for me, shout out to my friend Renee, Daniel Flagler from girls Inc. Of Long Island, you know, helping young ladies and girls become strong, smart, and bold. Gotta love girls in, you know a national. I I was speaking to somebody at the Alameda chapter last week of girls, Inc.

00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:47.079 Tommy DiMisa: And they have 4 chapters up in in Canada, but the rest of the chapters are in the States here. But I just think that's

00:12:47.080 --> 00:13:09.550 Tommy DiMisa: we have to continue to be working with these young people. I wanna ask you this, though I mean 1st of all, shout out the fact that to you 75 to 100 different nonprofits. Love it, man, that's what it's about. It's about the collaboration, you know. We I sit on the Board of or the committee rather for the Long Island. Imagine Awards and the New York City. Imagine awards Ken Sereni and his team Kelly and Sereni, over at Sereny and associates.

00:13:09.710 --> 00:13:35.576 Tommy DiMisa: They founded this organization, and we recognize the great work nonprofits doing. I want you to be with me on in October as my guest to come through at the the New York City. Imagine wars! I'll get you to Dave. We'll talk about it later on. But it's so important like as I was looking at your website this morning website for Nyc pride, I saw Matthew Chang on there, who sent me an email or like a Linkedin message, shout out, Matt be listening I knew him from used to be called the

00:13:35.990 --> 00:13:41.352 Tommy DiMisa: New nonprofit, New York, but it used to be called the Nonprofit coordinating committee, I think, is

00:13:42.090 --> 00:14:10.919 Tommy DiMisa: So you know. So just to just to me, it's all about those relationships. It's about the collaboration. So 75 to 100 different nonprofits. You're talking about workshops and things like that. Obviously, you're coming in from an education perspective. You know, as I read some of your bio here, you know diversity and inclusion nonprofit management. Things like that. When you're doing these workshops, let's get into it a little bit. Talk to me about some of those workshops on a general basis, you know, as it as it may relate to teachable Nyc. Or different things like that.

00:14:11.380 --> 00:14:22.735 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Oh, absolutely. So I started nonprofit by myself, called hit the books along with our wonderful board. In 2020 and that is sort of a a

00:14:23.310 --> 00:14:47.769 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: height of my career. And working, as I mentioned for about 20 years at that point in the nonprofit sector. Those are the culmination of doing a lot of boots to the ground work. But throughout all of that I was always thinking to myself, how can I help support other organizations? Right? So hit the books. Being a brick and mortar real place that you can go to on a Hundred and 27th Street, in St. Nicholas Avenue, in in Manhattan, a a place where young people

00:14:47.770 --> 00:14:58.589 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: go to grow and learn and play and learn mixed martial arts, but also study. It's a it's a real place. But, you know, putting together a place like that.

00:14:59.092 --> 00:15:23.449 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: requires a lot of work. So so, you know. Years ago I always had this dream of starting my own consulting business and helping to support other nonprofits, and that's part of what I did simultaneously. So you know, from 2,018 until now I've been doing workshops and training and coaching and specifically doing so to support nonprofits that are, maybe struggling to find their footing. If it comes to phone

00:15:23.450 --> 00:15:47.957 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: funding or their organizational structure or leadership it might be training line staff. And those who are working directly with young folks. It might be I'm helping to put together a strategic plan. So with teachable mic. That's the work that I do as a professional consultant day to day. Now, I'm really fortunate, super grateful that I have this opportunity. To connect with. I probably have about 40 organizations that I work with right now.

00:15:48.541 --> 00:16:10.760 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: in New York and New York City. That. Rely on the support that we provide so that they can be sustainable for young people and for the folks that the families that that utilize their services, and for the folks that work there so really proud of that work. And like, I said, it's the culmination of a lot of years of of just like hands hands in service. I have had so many

00:16:10.760 --> 00:16:27.200 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: dirty ketchup, stained pencil and marker stained shirts. My hands are usually covered in ink so I know what it's like to be in the classroom to be a teacher. But I also know what it's like to try and put that kind of place together that real life place. So I'm I'm just honored to be able to do that work for a living.

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:42.839 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, man congrats on that, I mean. Listen. You know, there's a story about Jim Carrey. It's like a i i guess not a meme. It's a little video that he talks about his dad who? Who's funnier, he says, by Jim Carrey's definition, funnier than Jim Carrey is, and

00:16:43.210 --> 00:16:46.119 Tommy DiMisa: his dad wanted to be a comedian and a performer.

00:16:46.200 --> 00:17:00.979 Tommy DiMisa: but he had a family, and he decided to be an accountant. So he went that route and became an accountant and worked very hard a dozen years 15 years, and then was downsized and lost his job as an accountant, and Jim carries punchline to this. If it's a joke or the story really is.

00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:09.449 Tommy DiMisa: you can get fired from doing something you hate. Why not go out and do something you love man like, you know, like, if it's about the money, I'm always arguing like

00:17:09.450 --> 00:17:36.709 Tommy DiMisa: dude. You could figure out different things, you know, and you can get paid if you're bringing value, it's all about value just to transfer value. And I was listening to something last night, and it was maybe I could find it before we end the show. But it was just about how it's the transfer of value. That's why people get compensation for things. If you add value, you'll get compensation gang. So I'm just. I'm speaking to everybody as I'm speaking to me because I have a whole idea about a bunch of consultancy. I wanna do. And it's like.

00:17:37.010 --> 00:17:38.029 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Let's talk about it, Tom.

00:17:38.030 --> 00:17:38.620 Tommy DiMisa: I talk, and.

00:17:38.813 --> 00:17:39.200 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: We're gonna.

00:17:39.200 --> 00:18:05.849 Tommy DiMisa: We're gonna talk about it. We're gonna chop it up, you and me for sure. We get together, man, not in June. You're super busy. Well, I'll speak to you in July. I'll see you in July. I do want to come through. I do want to come through to some events which we'll get into in a couple of minutes. We do have to go to break. We're way over, Logan. We'll take a break in a second. I'm just finishing up a couple of thoughts. So we're gonna when we come back, though, we're gonna get more into your background and we're gonna get into Nyc. Proud. I want to hear about the organization work, this history of the organization, things that.

00:18:05.850 --> 00:18:25.449 Tommy DiMisa: But you mentioned this piece about hands in service, and what I was hearing you say was just that. You know people have pulled you up right. People have brought you through. And now excuse me, now, you're doing just the same for others. But the fact that you're hooked into you're working with 40 some odd nonprofits, man. We have. We founded something called the nonprofit resource help which I don't think you and I ever talked about.

00:18:25.450 --> 00:18:36.310 Tommy DiMisa: You know my friend Ken Serena, who founded the Imagine Awards. He works with 300 different nonprofit organizations. He owns an accounting practice out here in Long Island like 80 or 100 employee accounting firm. We gotta we're

00:18:36.330 --> 00:18:44.040 Tommy DiMisa: we're just getting warmed up Kaz. I mean, you know each other a couple of years, but we don't spend time together. You've been on a show a couple of times some text, message or whatnot, but

00:18:44.370 --> 00:18:53.800 Tommy DiMisa: we got because gang. I tell you this as great as I am, I am so special right, and I got this great personality, and I used to have great hair, but I shave my head right.

00:18:54.170 --> 00:18:54.770 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: But.

00:18:54.770 --> 00:18:56.649 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, it's all gone. It was. I had a.

00:18:56.650 --> 00:18:57.050 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: That.

00:18:57.050 --> 00:19:00.950 Tommy DiMisa: Bro. I like I had like a ponytail not not too long ago, you know, like.

00:19:00.950 --> 00:19:01.270 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I am.

00:19:01.270 --> 00:19:10.859 Tommy DiMisa: This is this is the new deal. What I want to tell you, though with all, and I speak tongue in cheek gang. I I. You know I am the biggest Tommy D. Fan, but that thing about it

00:19:10.860 --> 00:19:33.559 Tommy DiMisa: as great as I might be. It's all about my social capital. It's all about my relationships. It's all about the people I know and the people who I will don't even know that I'll know next week, you know. So I I'd encourage you all to do the same. I'm going to be doing a lot of speaking on networking and things like that for the sector. So we are going to take a quick break, we'll come back. We'll get into a little bit more about Kaz's story, and then certainly get right into Nyc. Pride sounds good, Cass.

00:19:33.560 --> 00:19:34.589 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Awesome, thanks Tommy.

00:19:34.875 --> 00:19:35.730 Tommy DiMisa: Right right back.

00:19:36.210 --> 00:19:36.500 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Rick!

00:21:49.290 --> 00:21:59.390 Tommy DiMisa: We're back, your boy, the one and only nonprofit sector connector, although I do call myself the one and only but here's the thing about that. A lot of my friends are becoming nonprofit sector connect.

00:21:59.830 --> 00:22:06.820 Tommy DiMisa: It's like, I'm on a recruiting mission for nonprofit sector connectors. But it's not. You know what it is, man like I have these friends

00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:20.789 Tommy DiMisa: shout out to Kellyanne. Sereni shout out to Heather Edwards, we're constantly looking out. Shout out to Eileen, Minogue over at Book Fairs, Heather, Edwards, Ally Foundation, Kellyanne, Sereni, the Imagine awards and serene and associates. You know it. For me it's

00:22:21.050 --> 00:22:49.353 Tommy DiMisa: it's awesome to be connected, and in community with people who are continuing to say, Hey, Tommy? DI see what you're doing. I wanna do that. I wanna make sure we get this sector better off, and you know I joke about it with my friends like there. If it wasn't for the people I'm connected to, a lot of folks don't come on this show because I can reach out to somebody and say, Hey, listen! You know what somebody Guest just had a reschedule. And somebody's like, Tommy, you gotta interview this person. You gotta interview this person you got couple of weeks ago, was mama's house that came on, which is

00:22:49.600 --> 00:23:08.669 Tommy DiMisa: No shelters out here on Long Island for moms and their babies. And it's like, I didn't even know these 2 women. And it's a 40 year old organization. And now they've been on the show, and that with friends. And now we're talking about doing some collaboration. In fact, my friend Jennifer Monz, from the meditation lab is now gonna do a mindfulness and meditation

00:23:09.030 --> 00:23:19.600 Tommy DiMisa: program for the women at momma's house that all happens because Heather Edwards says Tommy DI got you interview momma's house. So just how it goes, you know. So Kaz.

00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:39.559 Tommy DiMisa: we're gonna I could spend days talking about networking the importance of it. The value of it. Maybe you and I will get into it a little bit about that, because I do want to understand at some point, you know, the relationship. As you know, you're a board member of the organization, right? So I wanna understand the dynamic of that. Anything else you wanna put a bow on, so to speak, about you and your background before we jump into Nyc pride. And what you guys are working on.

00:23:40.195 --> 00:23:53.449 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Sure, I think everything that you mentioned so far this morning is is absolutely connected to the work that I do. And and I think for me at least, the key word is connection, right? Like you you were mentioning.

00:23:54.091 --> 00:24:20.150 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: manifesting who it is that you want to be, and the work that you wanna do and I think that that's something that has has at at least at this juncture in my life has happened for me. So I'm really, really excited to do the work, because, like there was no script all of my like to like. Think that there was, and and you just put, as you said, one foot in front of the other. But you know you, you have to recognize that you're both carving a path, leaving a path and and also leaving footprints behind you.

00:24:20.150 --> 00:24:37.250 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: So people are are able to follow you, even if you're doing something that is different and new. I know that my career was definitely not mapped out. I think I was supposed to either be funny thing you said a game shows I'm probably supposed to be a game show host or an architect like those are the things that I should have probably happened.

00:24:37.250 --> 00:24:41.050 Tommy DiMisa: What a show! What a show! You and I, host a game show together. Bro, let's figure that out.

00:24:41.050 --> 00:24:47.120 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: This is. This is very tables. Turn, tear, turn it for me because I'm like, wait, I'm not hosting the show.

00:24:47.410 --> 00:24:52.319 Tommy DiMisa: You know how many times, cas, you know how many times I'm in a meeting, and I start running the meeting and I go. Oh, this isn't even my meeting.

00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:52.750 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Yeah.

00:24:52.750 --> 00:24:53.370 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, like, robot.

00:24:53.590 --> 00:24:54.030 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I don't.

00:24:54.030 --> 00:24:54.758 Tommy DiMisa: You know that move.

00:24:54.940 --> 00:25:17.259 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Yeah, I can't help myself, but luckily they asked me to do it. So that's the that's the sweet spot for me now. But it's sort of manifesting that things that are I think true to you. So that's definitely happened to me in my career. And so, you know, moving from working with young people. I still work with young people. They just happen to be volunteers and employees. And I and also.

00:25:17.663 --> 00:25:36.779 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: you know. Other volunteers of other age ranges my own age range. Some folks that are older are are more seasoned and have been around for many, many decades like, you know, the work, the work shifts and changes over time. But but there's really the one thing I loved about the nonprofit sector is that there's really no script.

00:25:37.120 --> 00:26:05.579 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: You can carve your own path, and a lot of folks, you know, try to carve the business path that they see in corporate America in the nonprofit sector. But it it doesn't really translate. And it doesn't have to translate. So you know, doing volunteer work doing board level work at an organization like Nyc. Pride, as I mentioned, feels very familiar to me because I'm a board member on other organization that I've worked for, and maybe the the mission is different. But my mission is.

00:26:05.907 --> 00:26:09.840 Tommy DiMisa: No, that's it, man, that's what you hit upon. That's great, because.

00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.890 Tommy DiMisa: you know.

00:26:10.930 --> 00:26:16.389 Tommy DiMisa: I'll just use it from my perspective. I'm Tommy D. No matter where I go, and Tommy D's, like, you know, become like a thing.

00:26:16.390 --> 00:26:17.690 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: You are. You take a break.

00:26:17.690 --> 00:26:24.050 Tommy DiMisa: But like you get this. This is the show like this is not, you know, anybody who knows me knows this is the guy, this what he does and

00:26:24.270 --> 00:26:50.330 Tommy DiMisa: it. It's funny, because wherever you know, wherever I am, whether I'm sitting on a board, I'm I'm on a committee for a gallo, or I'm selling employee benefits, which is our business. You still getting this? This is what you get, and I think that's we. Your your point is. Your mission never changes. Wherever Caz is. That's Kaz. Like, I'm bringing the whole thing. You're gonna get it all right again. We all of us, whatever is appropriate, you know. Maybe we're not gonna act certain ways or whatever. But you know, still.

00:26:50.630 --> 00:26:54.210 Tommy DiMisa: authent or authenticity is what it's at, where where it's at, right.

00:26:54.210 --> 00:27:18.879 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I agree. I think I think that's the really key point. And and the leverage that we have in the nonprofit sector is that you can bring your authentic self to work like sometimes the rules are a little loose, and so I I throw my voice all the time. I'm characters, you know, and and joking around and and imitating life a little bit more than I would in, you know. Maybe the corporate sector, or in places where where I

00:27:19.175 --> 00:27:31.009 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: have done, you know workshops or trainings that feel a little bit more static and and don't feel good to me. It doesn't feel off authentic to me. So you know I I think 2 things, one.

00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:54.480 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: you know, you're able to bring your authentic self in the nonprofit sector which I love and so that makes the work a lot easier. But also for me. One thing, I've learned my my brand I'm no Tommy D. But I got a strong brand, too. And I think that's something that people recognize. So you you being able to leverage that in the age of social media, I actually do a workshop on personal branding as well in the nonprofit sector. So you know.

00:27:54.813 --> 00:28:17.430 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: It is. It is a thing whether you are connecting, you know, in person and networking. Or you're connecting online and using tools and platforms like Linkedin. There are ways that people recognize you. We see who's looking at who. So I think that that personal branding piece is really important. And that's something I've definitely leverage. So I said, I work on several nonprofit boards

00:28:17.750 --> 00:28:23.019 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and do different functions and roles, you know. Obviously Nyc. Prime being the being the largest in

00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:30.639 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and most major and sometimes most cumbersome but but you know it is connected to my personal mission.

00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:55.089 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and I think that resonates with people and people see that. So for the folks that are listening, watching around and and thinking around personal branding, like, you know, don't sell yourself short. I think you do have to pump yourself up a bit so that people recognize. You know that you are who you say you are. Your mission is important, and there is a level of alignment that needs to happen. In order for you to do your best work. I think that's where people struggling

00:28:55.090 --> 00:29:19.859 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: the nonprofit sector. It's not that they don't mean well, or that they're not good at their jobs. I think sometimes it's just not in the right place. And I say all the times that you're actually not in the right organization. You might be in the right part of the sector. Whether that be, you know, education or you know, climate awareness. Or you know the environment, or health or housing, but you might just not be at the right organization. That supports who you are in your

00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:48.619 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: authentic self. So for me, it's been really important to find organizations like Nyc. Pride that have been supportive of me as whole person. In in my entire humanness. That's been really key in terms of of my success. And in the moments where I don't feel connected to the mission of an organization, or to the people, or the culture that's when I know is is no dice for me, and that's that needs to work so much easier like we don't speak the same language.

00:29:48.870 --> 00:30:04.659 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and I I can't learn every language like we don't have. We don't have time. So you you gotta be on the right page. Same page there sometimes, where you know it's worth learning. Some things. But after a certain point in time you should know enough about yourself in the work

00:30:04.962 --> 00:30:27.050 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and the world that you're able to find places that speak to you. And you're able to to do your best best work. You feel safe. You feel healthy. You want to go to work every day. You want to accomplish the next goal, and you wanna do it with that team. I think that's a that's an important part but your brand is is really critical

00:30:27.050 --> 00:30:29.190 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: in, in, in orders for you to get there.

00:30:29.190 --> 00:30:55.319 Tommy DiMisa: 100 great stuff, Kaz, I mean, listen! Personal brand is critical gang. Did you know everybody has a personal brand? Not everybody's going to be flashing. Get on and do radio show whatever. But you have something, and and that that is who you are, and this a lot of what you said I was hearing this word humanity, this just a humane way of dealing with people in that like, maybe this ain't the right place for you. I forget who it is. It might be Elon Musk, or something like that. But it's it's 1 big business leader, right?

00:30:55.850 --> 00:31:18.809 Tommy DiMisa: And this is no comment on, if you like, Elon, everybody, if you don't like Elon's not the point. The point of the story is, he's like, if if you're firing or terminating, or letting somebody go. It could be the best thing I've been fired. I'm a i'm a sales guy my whole life right? So trust me, you know what we do professionally is very cut and dry. You're either bringing the number, and you're worth more than we're paying you or you're not. And that's very easy, very cut and dry. Not every profession is like that. So I've I've been let go from companies.

00:31:18.810 --> 00:31:30.468 Tommy DiMisa: and I think in terms of you know, it doesn't have to be like the worst thing in the world. It could be like, maybe you weren't supposed to be here anyway, like you're supposed to be on a different part of your path, you know, you say, carving out this path. So you probably.

00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:37.622 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I think it's also generational, right? Like I said, Jen. That's 1 thing that I think that Jen's Jen Z, and maybe Jen Alpha, that's next like.

00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:38.590 Tommy DiMisa: Like kids. I think.

00:31:38.875 --> 00:31:56.260 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I think they got this this lesson early. If they don't fit for me, then I don't need to stay. And you know, maybe our parents generation. We're like, this isn't great. But you know my pension and and insurance and my family. And I'm gonna I'm gonna weather this, even though it's not the best thing for me.

00:31:56.260 --> 00:32:07.230 Tommy DiMisa: Dude. I've done it. I've done it. I've I've done it. Personally, I've done it. Personally, I stayed in places longer than I should have stayed because of all the stuff you're talking about, a salary and a bonus and benefits and all this kind of stuff, and it's.

00:32:07.230 --> 00:32:33.753 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: What does that do for for you in the long run? What does that do for your health, your own mental health, you know. So as we, as we try to, you know, figure out how how to best find the right workplace for us. We have to think about like whether or not these workplaces support our humanity. Some people are are built for warehouses, some people built for cubicles. Some people are built for classrooms, some people are built for walk in the beach. There's nothing wrong with any of those things.

00:32:34.030 --> 00:32:34.630 Tommy DiMisa: Way.

00:32:34.630 --> 00:32:35.779 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Yeah, are you in the right place?

00:32:35.780 --> 00:32:39.618 Tommy DiMisa: 100% and find it where you plug in, as the earlier you can find it, the better we.

00:32:39.820 --> 00:32:42.886 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: 3 in any classroom. I'm good like I'll.

00:32:43.270 --> 00:32:47.610 Tommy DiMisa: That's your phone. You could be there for 12 h in a row. It don't matter because you're in yours.

00:32:47.610 --> 00:32:48.960 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I mean, I needed.

00:32:48.960 --> 00:33:14.540 Tommy DiMisa: You don't even know what just happened. He's been there 7 h. So I wanna just make one quick comment. It's funny how life is because you're talk, you know, gang, whatever you're doing right now, if you're listening to my show and you're 13 or you're 71 or you're 52. You don't mean you have to be doing that in 6 weeks, 6 months, 6 years. It does like I was at my parents house. I picked up my dad on Sunday morning we went out and scoop Italianizes for an organization called Operation. Best shout out to my dad, we gotta go

00:33:14.780 --> 00:33:38.278 Tommy DiMisa: I, I said, we gotta get you out to see one of these organizations, and what this nonprofit is doing is called operation vest veterans ending suicide together. And I said, Dad, I want you to see I've been scooping these Italian ices my dad owns rouse ices out here on Long Island, has, and I said, I gotta get you to see the work you're doing, because I go out and scoop these ices, but you don't see it, so I pick them up. We go out. We come back. I'm dropping off at the house. My mother is watching that show on

00:33:38.750 --> 00:33:42.389 Tommy DiMisa: It's called like Cbs this morning on Sunday mornings. It's the show right.

00:33:42.780 --> 00:33:43.420 Tommy DiMisa: and she's like.

00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:44.199 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Time it.

00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:47.309 Tommy DiMisa: Yes, exactly. I love that show. It's like it's like reading a magazine. But you don't have to read.

00:33:47.310 --> 00:33:49.160 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Jane, Foley, classic. Yeah.

00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:50.660 Tommy DiMisa: Yes, you know the show right? So.

00:33:50.981 --> 00:33:52.590 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Of age. I love it.

00:33:52.860 --> 00:34:20.390 Tommy DiMisa: I love that show. So so what my mom happens to be watching, and she says, Hey, she says to my dad, says this to my dad. My dad's like 73. Something like that. She goes dude. We're just getting started now. She didn't say these words, but she's like we're going to be like octagonians. We got a lot of stuff to do still in this world. And I'm like, yeah, like, I think of Gary Vaynerchuk Gary, V. Who says that stuff whole time like whatever you 40, your 50, is it? Okay? Next chapter, what's next? My point is, we gotta go to break. But my point is this, I'm fired up.

00:34:20.610 --> 00:34:43.830 Tommy DiMisa: dude, if you're not doing it. Now try it out. If find the new thing. Don't just stay somewhere for the dough and the benefits I understand what I'm saying is challenging, because but build the other thing while you're there, you know what like, not quitting, not quiet quitting, but like, give them what is theirs? Right. Give the Caesar what is Caesar? Give them what is theirs. Give them the effort right while you're there and then get the heck out and do your thing as soon as possible.

00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:45.189 Tommy DiMisa: Right, Kaz. I.

00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:46.649 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: It's like it's like, I'm Mike.

00:34:46.650 --> 00:34:47.030 Tommy DiMisa: Like drop.

00:34:47.030 --> 00:34:47.760 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Every time.

00:34:47.975 --> 00:34:52.939 Tommy DiMisa: And do it can keep. We'll be right back cash. We're way over time. We're gonna get in trouble. We'll be right back.

00:36:52.040 --> 00:36:55.459 Tommy DiMisa: We're back in the attic. Alright your boy.

00:36:55.920 --> 00:37:18.989 Tommy DiMisa: the nonprofit sector connector. Look, I I just wanna say, Kaz, thanks for being here. This is awesome man like I I'm fired up. Your energy is incredible. I'm I'm just so jazzed again. If I if I didn't take that course and I didn't go to the Institute for nonprofit practice. There's a dozen people that I that I have a relationship with, that I would not know. And now I'll even be. Let's get a little bit quantum on you all.

00:37:19.090 --> 00:37:37.880 Tommy DiMisa: It's not a dozen people. It's a dozen networks. It's a dozen communities of people that I would never, you know. I reached out to me and clean about a month and a half ago to speak on a panel for the nonprofit resource, Hub, you know, Mahin, and I don't talk a lot. I love her. She loves me with friends, but we don't talk all the time. Is that what happens. That's life, right?

00:37:37.880 --> 00:37:57.179 Tommy DiMisa: But I said, I I want you. She goes. Whatever Tommy D sounds great. Let's do it. And that's how that's relationships. That's connections that's just building and building and building cats. This organization. So the name of the show we did with today's show is from Stonewall to pride right? Right? So so let's talk about this like. So it says, here in my notes.

00:37:57.340 --> 00:38:15.449 Tommy DiMisa: Our movement started with a moment. The roots of the movement began with the Stonewall uprising in 1,969. One year later was the 1st Nyc. Pride march, organized by the Christopher Street Liberation Date Committee, and so on. There's more notes. But I want this is our. This is you and me having a conversation. So tell me about this organization, please.

00:38:15.470 --> 00:38:39.800 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Absolutely so heritage of pride also known as Nyc. Pride is the organization that puts together the largest pride march, as well as several other events throughout New York City in June. So we are really are, I think, the hallmark organization that helps to support LGBT, QIA plus causes in the New York City area. And and I'm really proud to be a volunteer

00:38:40.104 --> 00:39:03.275 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: for this organization as well as co-chair. So I am in my 9th month. I can give you the day if you want, because volunteer work is is hard work but we are a small but forceful organization that's been around for a really long time. So I've probably been around as a volunteer for about 5 years, and as I just mentioned in my 1st year as co-chair

00:39:03.580 --> 00:39:05.149 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: because of.

00:39:05.473 --> 00:39:28.420 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I think the opportunity that the organization has afforded me in in terms of leadership. So you know, a wonderful place to grow and learn but also to be, I think, working on a working with a group of veteran volunteers who've been around some for 1520, 30, 40 years of this organization. So we're actually celebrating our 40th anniversary this year heritage of pride is.

00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:49.226 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and we're also celebrating a, as you just mentioned, the 55th anniversary of the Stowell uprising. It was sort of started at all. So it's it's wonderful to be a part of an organization that helps to put together something so massive that you kinda can't wrap your head around it. If you are a native New Yorker like myself, then you know that every June it seems that the entire town city,

00:39:50.070 --> 00:40:12.399 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: borough, wherever you might be. Your neighborhood turns. Rainbow doesn't do so by accident, you know. There's a lot of planning that goes in into all of the events that you see, especially our hallmark events which happened the last week of June, so just really excited to bring that to my hometown. And you know. Folks always recognize that New York is a town

00:40:13.023 --> 00:40:37.159 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: it is a city. It is a Mecca, but it is also a place. That has a lot of history. And that leverages this culture in in very unique ways. So you know, people look at New York as a again, the apex of where folks can come to be themselves. I grew up here, so I grew up in a place where everybody can be themselves, and that level of liberation is

00:40:37.160 --> 00:41:01.020 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: something that I think that everyone should be afforded as a as a citizen of of the United States of the globe. So you know, people come here for their freedom and have been doing so in many different ways. So we are connected in that way right in the same way that many immigrants come to New York City for their freedom, in the same way that folks around the country might flee from

00:41:01.463 --> 00:41:29.606 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: their homes, or folks who do not accept them as they are. They come here to be liberated. So I love that we are able to, I think. Put a stamp on that idea every year as New Yorkers. Although our volunteers come from all over the country and we welcome new volunteers in every year. I'm just really honored that I get to lead that charge on behalf of New York City pride, and on behalf of heritage of pride.

00:41:29.930 --> 00:41:32.270 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and so, yeah, we can get into like the events and and.

00:41:32.270 --> 00:41:32.850 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah.

00:41:32.850 --> 00:41:35.240 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: We're we're mid June already. So.

00:41:35.240 --> 00:41:37.920 Tommy DiMisa: I know we're in it. So there's already events have happened. Events.

00:41:37.920 --> 00:41:38.490 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: But yeah.

00:41:38.490 --> 00:41:44.159 Tommy DiMisa: Events is upcoming for sure. You know, I I just, you know, from from a social commentary. I just

00:41:44.830 --> 00:41:49.839 Tommy DiMisa: you know, I'm I'm 46 years old. Okay, so I was born in 1,978.

00:41:50.090 --> 00:41:51.200 Tommy DiMisa: And

00:41:51.260 --> 00:41:52.360 Tommy DiMisa: I

00:41:52.820 --> 00:41:54.859 Tommy DiMisa: realize, you know.

00:41:54.980 --> 00:41:57.080 Tommy DiMisa: that I that companies.

00:41:57.100 --> 00:42:01.230 Tommy DiMisa: So let if we we, I don't want to get into a whole corporate social responsibility thing, and.

00:42:01.760 --> 00:42:02.060 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: In.

00:42:02.060 --> 00:42:03.280 Tommy DiMisa: We can, but I don't know if we.

00:42:03.280 --> 00:42:04.120 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: The time. That's why.

00:42:04.120 --> 00:42:22.839 Tommy DiMisa: That's why I'm worried about it. But I I so here's my, I'm just gonna say something that was on my mind when I was driving this morning, and and I remember a bunch of years ago where I noticed I'm just gonna call out the specific bank because they all do this now, but it was Td. Bank at the time, and it was it had to be June cause there would be. This is why it was relevant.

00:42:22.850 --> 00:42:31.359 Tommy DiMisa: and all of a sudden it was either a rainbow with their logo or something like that. Now I gotta say there was time in history where that wasn't going all work

00:42:32.170 --> 00:42:45.129 Tommy DiMisa: doing that, I mean, do you have some sort of in in your mind, like a timeline where where we, as a society, really saw that change cause you said the whole, not not your words, but we paint the town rainbow, but like that's that's.

00:42:45.130 --> 00:42:46.741 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: That's who like, who's doing it.

00:42:47.010 --> 00:42:54.320 Tommy DiMisa: But I mean, like it happened, there was a point where that was like there was a Monday where that wasn't happening, and on Tuesday, right, somebody and break people were embracing things.

00:42:54.320 --> 00:43:23.110 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: W. Well, I think that you know I I can't give an exact date or time, but we have to recognize that at some point in time. In the recent history we have reached a critical mass where people understand that queer liberation is just like any other liberty, it is any other right, and that some people have it, and that other people don't. So I don't know what day that was. I have been passed over for a job, because because I'm gay. So I know that.

00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:24.539 Tommy DiMisa: How old do you mind if I ask.

00:43:24.540 --> 00:43:25.620 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: My lifetime.

00:43:25.620 --> 00:43:26.840 Tommy DiMisa: Like, are we? Are we cut.

00:43:26.840 --> 00:43:29.900 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I I am one year I will be one year younger than you next.

00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:30.350 Tommy DiMisa: Alright!

00:43:30.350 --> 00:43:33.769 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Alright. So so you get it so we can talk next week.

00:43:33.770 --> 00:43:35.003 Tommy DiMisa: You're 45 next. So you.

00:43:35.250 --> 00:43:36.299 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Zoom, my month.

00:43:37.150 --> 00:43:37.960 Tommy DiMisa: Is your mud.

00:43:37.960 --> 00:44:01.249 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: So. So I get very passionate about this, because I because in my lifetime and it's happened and it's happening today, it's not. I'm just saying it's happened to me, but it's happened to many others where, connecting back to what we're talking about with regard to workplace authenticity, where where you're not allowed to be yourself. If if that comes down to your sexual orientation, your gender identity, your gender expression. And those are the things that we are all

00:44:01.572 --> 00:44:24.270 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: all should be granted as an alien rights. So, like, you know, New York City has changed, maybe in some ways faster than others, because of what I I was mentioning earlier. But we have to recognize that one. We are I think the hallmark for this type of liberation. But 2 when you're when you're in the 1st place, this, if this is 1st place, then there's a lot of work to do

00:44:24.270 --> 00:44:48.859 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: for those places that are that are that are still working. So you know, people are going to come here from all over the country, all over the world to see an example of what it could be like. We're not perfect, right? And we know that we still have a lot of work to do. So. The fact that city agencies that the government by and large, does show support. For Lgbtq Ia causes in this month is a good thing, but

00:44:48.860 --> 00:44:50.749 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: that doesn't mean that

00:44:51.072 --> 00:45:04.290 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: they can't do better, or that they can't do more throughout the rest of the year, and for every part of our community that's marginalized. So that's 1 thing. The second thing is that corporations have a responsibility to reflect. The

00:45:04.583 --> 00:45:28.980 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: employment. The employees that are working there as well as the folks that they serve. So that's the change, right is that people want to see themselves. And in the same way that commercials look like me, I'm black in case if if yeah, if if the commercial doesn't look like me or my family, if the if it doesn't resonate if they don't sound like me. If they don't dress like me. If they don't have

00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:38.172 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: style like me, then we're missing something right? And so I know that what television and media, what what I hear in in radio?

00:45:39.452 --> 00:46:01.960 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: an online looks different from when I was young. And that is a greater reflection of what the world actually looks like. So there is a level of responsibility that all sectors have nonprofit, you know, corporate so I don't mind. Personally, I don't mind that. The bank is that the Bank TV bank, who's been one of our sponsors and works with us.

00:46:01.960 --> 00:46:09.010 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: is demonstrating their efficacy with regard to moving queer rights in the right direction. I don't mind

00:46:09.010 --> 00:46:18.539 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: a a in the same way that I obviously wouldn't mind banks and corporations talking about their Dei policies, of course, push back so we can get into all of that. We don't have to, but.

00:46:18.540 --> 00:46:20.370 Tommy DiMisa: No, no, we I you know what I don't.

00:46:20.638 --> 00:46:31.359 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: You know of that change. You see it. You see that change happening in front of you. But you know, for folks that are like. Oh, corporations should stay out of it. If corporations are not a part of it.

00:46:31.370 --> 00:46:38.780 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: then, you know, we are missing a huge part of who we are. We can't ask for rights as humans and and leave work

00:46:38.820 --> 00:46:41.210 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: out of it. We don't pay alert, of course.

00:46:41.210 --> 00:47:03.860 Tommy DiMisa: No, I agree I could agree with you more. I I my question to you is just like I. It wasn't that way. And then it was that way. And that's an exciting thing. I think. So. Look, here's the argument I would make. Corporations are made up of a bunch of people. That's what a corporation is. It's yes, maybe it's a legal filing. There's a document somewhere. You have a corporate book. No, but it's people right. People run businesses. People run corporations, people run nonprofit organizations.

00:47:03.860 --> 00:47:13.900 Tommy DiMisa: We are going to come back on another show, and we're going to talk social responsibility, you and I, because you have so much knowledge in in this sector, in nonprofit. I think that to your point, like anything else.

00:47:14.060 --> 00:47:42.989 Tommy DiMisa: we, we are all a work in progress. The companies are a work in progress. The sector is a work in progress, and it's how do we continue to prove? So we're gonna go to a quick break. We come back. I'm gonna share the website while we go to break the website is Nyc pride.org nyc pride.org. Just like great pictures. People thrilled, people excited. I'll share you all right now when we go to break. But I have been to the marsh the parade many, many years ago. But I think you know, Cass, maybe you know, maybe I gotta come in this year if we can work out.

00:47:42.990 --> 00:47:44.520 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I'm wondering I'll be excited to see.

00:47:44.520 --> 00:47:45.170 Tommy DiMisa: I would love.

00:47:45.170 --> 00:47:45.960 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Difficult. It would.

00:47:45.960 --> 00:47:46.869 Tommy DiMisa: We gotta work that out.

00:47:46.870 --> 00:47:48.159 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Bring the whole family. Hi!

00:47:48.160 --> 00:47:56.700 Tommy DiMisa: You know what? Again raising kids and my kids get it? Our, I don't not not 100, but our younger people are getting it different than you and I got it, man, they understand

00:47:57.080 --> 00:48:11.831 Tommy DiMisa: right? So so you know, I don't wanna say we're old, but we're older, you know, so alright! We'll take a quick break. We come back! Fire off! What's going on, what the events are, how people plug in, how they come out, and then also how they come out to the events.

00:48:12.090 --> 00:48:14.140 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Thankfully. We'll talk.

00:48:14.349 --> 00:48:20.419 Tommy DiMisa: But and then how we can you know how we can help out and who can get plugged into the organization. So we'll be right back. Quick! Break!

00:48:20.420 --> 00:48:21.120 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Thank you.

00:50:21.700 --> 00:50:45.796 Tommy DiMisa: Alright, that's right. We're back. So CAD Alexander is here, representing Nyc. Pride and all the other incredible work he's involved with. If you're just getting here. Now we'll go back and listen to the beginning of the show so you can hear the story. So listen, Kaz, all these events that I'm showing right now that are on the website. Nyc. Pride, are these all? I don't know how to say this. Are these all Nyc pride event? Are they community events that have kind of

00:50:46.160 --> 00:50:49.429 Tommy DiMisa: been able to put their information on the site like, what does that look like?

00:50:49.430 --> 00:51:01.169 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: So. So we have a combination of sort of in house events that are produced by Nyc. Pride as well as sponsored and partner events with all of our partners, as you can see. I'm from queens. So shout out to the New York mets.

00:51:01.170 --> 00:51:06.340 Tommy DiMisa: I was gonna say, so. I'm a met fan, too. And I was. I didn't even I didn't know I was at Pride night until I got there last year.

00:51:06.340 --> 00:51:06.740 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: We had.

00:51:06.740 --> 00:51:07.719 Tommy DiMisa: Jackets, so.

00:51:07.720 --> 00:51:08.300 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: It.

00:51:08.300 --> 00:51:10.409 Tommy DiMisa: It becomes very apparent that it's pride night when you.

00:51:10.987 --> 00:51:13.192 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Great, great night to come right.

00:51:13.560 --> 00:51:14.150 Tommy DiMisa: Good. It was fun!

00:51:14.150 --> 00:51:42.099 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: So yeah, we have, partner events all over the city all over the months. I love that. You're scrolling through the website. As well as our main event. So sort of for sake of time, I'll run through those because you can. You can always go on our website. As Tommy mentioned Nyc pride.org to run through all of the events that are happening all over the city. Throughout the month. So we are really grateful to all of our partners organizations, restaurants, bars that are supporting the queer liberation movement across the board. So you can find out more information, but

00:51:42.511 --> 00:52:09.219 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: upcoming what you have right? There is actually our next event, which is the road to Pride Bar Crawl, which is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So our road to Pride bar call events have been an opportunity for us to fundraise and and really keep pride free. That's 1 of the most important pieces of what we want to share this year. So already we've had a few bar calls, as you can see on May 18th and June first.st that's 1 coming up on June 20. Second. Takes us to Brooklyn and again join us. This is a

00:52:09.576 --> 00:52:34.070 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: sort of traditional bar. Crawl with a little bit of queer flair with partner bars in in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn which leads us to our one of our marquee events, which is called tease and OP an opportunity for queer folks to come out and be themselves, and that's also on june 20, second in Brooklyn. So please come to come to our events.

00:52:34.380 --> 00:52:43.479 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Bring your authentic self. As we mentioned, this is a place. Feel free and wear the pose you like, where to make like? Do your head.

00:52:43.480 --> 00:52:46.140 Tommy DiMisa: It's to, you know, like.

00:52:46.140 --> 00:53:06.480 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Your friends, and and and don't feel don't feel like you can't because there's so many folks who feel like they can't so that's 1 of the things that I love. I was actually at the door of T's last year, and I can see, you know young adults coming in wearing the thing that they wanted to wear, probably all year, and they.

00:53:06.480 --> 00:53:07.070 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah.

00:53:07.070 --> 00:53:16.766 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Finally have the support and feel safe, and the courage to do so. So, you know all of our events are meant to are meant to bring us to that point.

00:53:17.423 --> 00:53:40.700 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and and so that's our our next set of events on June 20 second. And after that, you know I'm really proud to share as an educator, as a as someone who's worked with youth, and young people for my entire career. At the South Street seaport seaport which everybody knows is familiar with. On June 29th we have our youth pride, event. So youth pride is gonna take place. In Manhattan.

00:53:40.760 --> 00:54:04.709 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: and again South Street seaport, June 29th in the afternoon an exciting place for families and young people ages 13 to 24 to be themselves in a safe environment. And for many folks this is their 1st pride. So you know, you think about how the maybe streets turn rainbow everywhere, and that could feel very daunting to a young person.

00:54:05.349 --> 00:54:23.280 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: But peer 16 pier 17 is specifically designed for young people to come out with their families, with their friends and celebrate their authenticity. So inviting young, queer people, allies, all of the the friends, you know Junior High School high school college

00:54:23.760 --> 00:54:38.520 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: really, really important for us to to have a safe place for them to gather and then, of course, on June 30th our big events. So what everybody is most familiar with. One, our pride fest a street festival

00:54:39.459 --> 00:55:04.265 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: which you have there our Lgbtqi, plus Street fair starting at 11 Am. In previous years this has been like the larger street festival in the country. So out on the street, over by Union Square Aster place area in Manhattan. So folks are very pro familiar with Greenwich Village area. So come on down. It is totally free. And again, when you are

00:55:05.046 --> 00:55:19.990 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: helping us to fundraise we are. We're doing a lot of fundraising at all of these events. We wanna keep pride free so that young people and and and any generation of people have an opportunity to express themselves and come to free events. So Pride fest has a bunch of different components.

00:55:20.323 --> 00:55:44.690 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: And at the same time will be our heralded march. So there, you see, June 30, th beginning at 21st Street and 5th Avenue. We are actually taking off for hours and hours of fun on our march. A and parade route. You know, we like to say that this is not just party, this is protest. And we we want to remember the foundation and the

00:55:44.690 --> 00:55:51.690 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: roots of stone wall. And what we are here for and that we are in the quest for queer liberation for everyone.

00:55:51.690 --> 00:55:53.590 Tommy DiMisa: Just party, Kaz. I won't interrupt you because I.

00:55:53.590 --> 00:55:53.969 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Will do.

00:55:53.970 --> 00:56:14.399 Tommy DiMisa: Not just party, but protest right? Because we haven't. We haven't cracked the code on this thing yet. Obviously right? I mean, so it it's we must continue to have this dialogue, and and you know, sure and I haven't having been that a parade, and certainly seen the parade, the march, and and that's a difference. Cool. I'm calling it the parade. But and I noticed this this morning words have meaning.

00:56:14.400 --> 00:56:15.130 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: It's cool.

00:56:15.130 --> 00:56:17.343 Tommy DiMisa: It's a march, not a parade right.

00:56:17.660 --> 00:56:22.287 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: We call it a march, because, you know, we can have a parade when everybody is liberated.

00:56:22.560 --> 00:56:23.609 Tommy DiMisa: And we're celebrating.

00:56:23.610 --> 00:56:28.570 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: When we're celebrating, we're still marching for for the same rights

00:56:28.730 --> 00:56:42.719 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: that other folks have. Right? So we don't. We don't wanna miss that. So you know I I invite folks out to again be themselves, but to also, you know, be in a quest for liberation. Right? If that means protest to you, then feel free.

00:56:43.150 --> 00:56:46.270 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: This is this is an opportunity for you to do so.

00:56:47.046 --> 00:56:50.699 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: On on June 30th and and you know

00:56:50.720 --> 00:57:01.670 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: the world is imperfect. So there are parts of what is happening right now around mental health awareness or around trans rights or around queer rights

00:57:02.355 --> 00:57:03.464 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: in general.

00:57:04.210 --> 00:57:06.280 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: around rights for

00:57:06.530 --> 00:57:08.640 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: black people or brown people.

00:57:09.880 --> 00:57:20.280 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: the world over. Feel free again. This is an opportunity to have your voice heard. So we invite people to our march on June 30th and one other event we have, which is our

00:57:21.267 --> 00:57:36.032 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: legendary traditional women's event which is obviously open to anybody that's called bliss days on June 30, th at the Dl. Downtown Manhattan so really excited to be able to bring folks

00:57:36.810 --> 00:58:01.070 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: together. So this is for Lgbtq, ia plus women formally known as femme fatale, and they are fatal, let me tell you, like like I mean, I am probably most excited about bliss days. And so so feel free to come out. Tickets are are on sale for this particular event. Starts at 2 Pm. On June 30.th So again, a safe space for everyone. And if you're interested in

00:58:01.070 --> 00:58:16.129 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: any of the other events that we have, we have many, many different events that you can find on our website mit.org and all of those partner events. So you know, you're the the town is, gonna be, you know, red, yellow, blue, green, black, brown, purple, whether you like it or not. So

00:58:16.650 --> 00:58:18.270 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: I said, get in where you fitted.

00:58:18.270 --> 00:58:47.500 Tommy DiMisa: Yeah, no kidding. I enjoy enjoy the ride. Man. What are we talking about? Right? We gotta go. We gotta go in a minute. But I I just wanna make. It's so funny how the universe works, because I we stream this on like 9 different platforms. We stream this on twitch, and I hadn't heard from somebody on twitch this particular individual in a while. Cerebral wind used to check in a lot, you know. I think one time was playing Tetris Cerib Wind was playing Tetris and listen in the plan to be focused at the same time. So shout out to you, Cerebral, I was thinking of you. I hadn't heard from you in a while, but Logan just put this in the chat.

00:58:47.500 --> 00:58:54.597 Tommy DiMisa: He. Yeah, cerebral, says happy pride. I almost said he. I don't even know cabon. I'm just gonna refer you cerebral win because I don't know.

00:58:54.870 --> 00:58:57.360 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Everything to do. I I don't get names for a reason.

00:58:57.360 --> 00:59:00.980 Tommy DiMisa: Right 100%. So reap. Thank you for that guys. I appreciate it.

00:59:00.980 --> 00:59:01.570 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: But the.

00:59:01.570 --> 00:59:05.990 Tommy DiMisa: Cerebral win. Happy pride. You know. Look at, look, everybody

00:59:06.320 --> 00:59:23.829 Tommy DiMisa: get involved. Make an impact. You know. Nyc product org is the website. Tons of events coming up as Kaz and I talked about Kaz. I appreciate you, man. I appreciate your friendship. I appreciate you being part of you know, helping me live out my dream, my mission, the impact I'm trying to make. And thanks for being here.

00:59:23.830 --> 00:59:50.590 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: No thanks for having me everybody. Please do go to Nyc. pride.org. If you'd like to volunteer, we're happy to have you if you'd like to donate, feel free to donate on our donations page to keep fried pride free. And if you want your company team club organization school to help sponsor. You can also click on our patrons of pride link, which is at the top toolbar to help donate and sponsor this year as well. So you know many different ways of fundraise come to an event by a ticket.

00:59:50.590 --> 00:59:57.266 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Come to the bar, crawl, come to list days, protest party June is gonna be popping, and it's my birthday. Tommy.

00:59:57.570 --> 00:59:59.219 Tommy DiMisa: Birthday. It's your birthday month. Let's see.

00:59:59.220 --> 01:00:01.550 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: We all. It'll be all the fireworks.

01:00:01.550 --> 01:00:09.249 Tommy DiMisa: Guys, my brother, I appreciate you. I appreciate everybody being here. We gotta go. Steve Fry's coming off the Smb guy always Friday. Make it a great day gang love you all see it. Peace.

01:00:09.250 --> 01:00:10.136 Kazz Alexander (he/him), Co-Chair, NYCPride: Thanks Tommy.