Channyn Lynne Parker is a Human Rights advocate, public speaker, community-centric leader and CEO of Brave Space Alliance.  Prior to her role as CEO, Channyn was the Director of Strategic Relations for Howard Brown Health Center. In addition to, Channyn currently serves as the Commissioner for the Commission on Hate Crimes and Discrimination, as well as the Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security.  Channyn, is the first openly transgender woman to work in the Cook County Dept. of Corrections, working with populations in protective custody. Inaugural Trans100 awardee (2013). White House speaker, National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2015). Chicago Women’s March speaker (2017, 2018). Recipient of the Henrietta Lacks award, Women in Health in Chicago (2018) and Equality Illinois prestigious, Humanitarian, Freedom Award (2019).