Richard Silva
Groundbreakers
Denise Spivak
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
As LGBTQ+ people know, there is power in numbers. The same can be said of LGBTQ+ centers. There are small groups across the country and internationally that provide vital services for their communities, many in underserved areas. And uniting them is CenterLink, whose lesbian CEO, Denise Spivak, works “to strengthen, support, and connect LGBTQ community centers around the country,” she says.
“Our growing network of 346 LGBTQ community organizations are vital places where people can go for a wide range of critical, often life-saving services,” she says. “These centers collectively serve about 52,000 people each week, or nearly 2.7 million people per year.”
This year has been a pivotal one for CenterLink, which has seen “continued growth” and “a big uptick” in funding, which it can pass on to fortify member centers, Spivak says. In a year of “unprecedented” anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, these resources are needed now more than ever.
“Our centers have been working tirelessly to provide support and resources to their community members amidst all of the rhetoric and hate, and we’ve been working with center leaders to advocate for their communities and to navigate the issues at the local, state, and national levels,” Spivak says.
“Even though we’ve made important strides towards LGBTQ equality, there is still so much more work to be done,” she notes. “Every individual should have the right to live authentically and safely, free from discrimination, hate, and violence. Until that happens, our work as advocates and as humans is not done.” @lgbtcenterlink
Groundbreakers
Janelle Rodriguez
Meet one of the artists, disruptors, educators, groundbreakers, innovators, and storytellers who all helped make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people.
Photo by Patrick Randak
Janelle Rodriguez is the executive vice president of programming at NBC News, in which capacity she manages NBC Nightly News, NBC News NOW, as well as breaking news specials. It’s a notable year for the country’s longest-running evening newscast, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
In addition to upholding the gold standard of this time-honored brand, the out Puerto Rican executive is breaking new ground by building NBC News NOW, the fasting-growing U.S. streaming news network. Under her oversight last year, NBC News NOW had an impressive 50 percent year-over-year growth and broadened into national and international linear distribution.
As the world gears up for an action-packed 2024 that includes the Paris Olympics and a U.S. presidential election, Rodriguez is more than prepared to lead her teams in their coverage. It’s a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly.
“I get a front row seat to history every day and have the honor of working with the best journalists in the world to bring the news to our audiences everywhere,” Rodriguez says.
Previously, Rodriguez served as CNN’s vice president of programming. During her career, she’s won several Peabody Awards and five Emmy Awards for election night coverage and beyond. Her CNN team took home the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont Award for its reporting on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. And she’s routinely honored for her work by media outlets, being recognized by Variety’s Women’s Impact Report, Fast Company’s Queer 50, and CableFax’s Pride List.
Despite all her professional accomplishments, Rodriguez takes her greatest pride in her family. “Being a mom to my 10-year-old daughter is the greatest gift and hardest work of my life. I’m truly blessed,” she says.