Celebrating the diverse LGBTQ+ community at optiMize
At optiMize, Pride Month is a cherished time to celebrate and honor our vibrant LGBTQ+ community as well as learn, unlearn and work towards an inclusive future. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member feels empowered to create meaningful change. The diverse identities and experiences within our community are what make us strong, innovative and enlightened.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ identities is at the heart of our mission. We believe that when we are free to express and explore our true selves and identities, our creativity and passion shine through, leading to groundbreaking ventures reflecting our values and experiences. This spirit of authenticity fuels collaboration and strengthens our community bonds, driving us all toward greater social impact. The contributions of our LGBTQ+ members are immeasurable. Their creativity, insight, and empathy have been essential to our efforts in driving social change.
In celebration of Pride Month, we want to spotlight some of the remarkable ventures from current and past cohorts that uplift and support the LGBTQ+ community. These teams have empowered and inspired us with their dedication and have played a vital role in advancing diversity and acceptance on a larger scale.
Discover the amazing work they are doing:
The Letterman Fund
Cohort 13: Alex Aguiñaga
“A nonprofit initiative, dedicated to helping high school students own letterman jackets that celebrate their achievements”.
Alex Aguiñaga represents "The Letterman Fund," a nonprofit dedicated to helping high school students own letterman jackets that celebrate their achievements.
This venture began when Alex was still in high school, but today the venture has gained more momentum during her time with the SIC summer fellowship. To Alex, a letterman jacket is much more than just a piece of clothing; it symbolizes recognition, belonging, pride, and a universal school experience.
Throughout her life, Alex often found that people's perceptions of her were influenced by her sexual orientation or identity. She longed for authentic connections where her work and spirit were genuinely appreciated. At optiMize, she found a supportive community that embraced her for who she is and celebrated her endeavors.
“optiMize felt easy to fit into. The focus was mostly on our projects and how our experiences got us to where we are now.”
-Alex Aguiñaga
Many students, particularly from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds, don't receive the recognition they deserve for overcoming challenges. She emphasizes the significance of celebrating small victories, both in and out of the classroom. For some, accepting someone for who they are may seem like a small act, but for Alex, it's incredibly meaningful. This is why she believes every student deserves the opportunity to wear a jacket that reflects their journey and accomplishments. "Especially in this political climate," she notes, "it is necessary to celebrate the small wins and opportunities."
“optiMize gave me the support I needed to believe in myself and my venture, reassuring me that I was making an impact. I’m really thankful for everyone who helped me along the way and those who shared their stories about what owning a letterman jacket meant to them.”
The Letterman Fund is now preparing to extend its impact to high schools across Oregon. By the fall, Alex hopes students from 297 additional schools will have the chance to own a letterman jacket.
Through her work, Alex seeks to remove the financial barriers that prevent students from owning a piece of high school history. She is determined to ensure all students can celebrate their achievements and feel a sense of pride and belonging. Alex believes it is crucial to remain connected to the community and step up to fill the gaps that exist. We are so inspired that she is doing just that.
Find The Letterman Fund on Instagram
Grub Gateway
Cohort 13: Samantha Williams
“An initiative committed to providing 24/7 access to fresh food and toiletries without any cost or barriers”.
Samantha Williams is the heart and soul behind "Grub Gateway," an initiative committed to providing 24/7 access to fresh food and toiletries without any cost or barriers to the person seeking it.
Growing up in Chicago, Sam was inspired by community pantries in her town and has brought that vision to Michigan, ensuring these pantries serve everyone, requiring no registration—just a simple, dignified way to get what you need. Sam aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding food insecurity and remove the taboo that might keep someone from asking for help. Although there are food resources on campus, they often only cater to students and require some form of identification. Grub Gateway is reducing all these steps to make food easily accessible for everyone.
“optiMize was definitely inclusive, especially in my pod (small group meeting throughout the summer fellowship program), I could freely talk about my identity and relationships without worrying about what everyone else thought and if they would judge me. I want the world to be more like my pod: welcoming and not judgmental; I would want the world to encourage inclusivity.”
-Samantha Williams
Starting with just an idea and endless passion, Sam has already arranged meetings with the YMCA to discuss potential partnerships. Grub Gateway, which began in 2024, is steadily progressing towards her dream. A significant lesson for Sam has been that "no" isn't always the end—it often paves the way for valuable connections and leads. Many businesses couldn’t collaborate directly, but they were so impressed by Grub Gateway that they provided her with leads and connections. Sam is grateful to her optiMize mentor, Jack Griffin, the force behind the Food Finders app, who has guided her and sealed a partnership with Grub Gateway. Although she hasn't yet secured a location for the pantry, she learned that growth takes time. "Even though I don't have a location, I have still made lots of progress," Sam reflects.
“I definitely met some really cool people in optiMize. My pod members are now my friends. It has been inspiring to see other people who are passionate about their projects and everyone is super nice and welcoming. optiMize is like a huge family.”
Find Grub Gateway on Instagram
Runway Rumble
Cohort 12: Jacob Lydick
“A venture rooted in strengthening LGBTQIA+ connections at the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor by spotlighting often-overlooked queer spaces.”
Jacob Lydick represents "Runway Rumble," a venture rooted in strengthening LGBTQIA+ connections at the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor by spotlighting often-overlooked queer spaces.
He successfully launched this venture, achieving his community goals for summer 2024. As a queer individual, it's essential for Jacob to help his community find safe spaces to connect and express themselves. Recognizing a gap in awareness about local queer events, Jacob curated a guide to these events to engage and inform the community. Over the summer of 2024, Runway Rumble recruited talent and crew, created promotional content, filmed a competition, and collaborated with various Pride events. This initiative not only aims to increase visibility but also to provide better-paying opportunities for queer artists.
Community support is vital to Jacob as it surrounds him with like-minded changemakers. “Too often, we try to gain approval outside of our community when community is the one already supporting us,” he notes wisely.
“optiMize was an incredibly inclusive space for LGBTQ+ folks, I never had to wonder if any staff would not understand the struggle, societal expectations of a cis/het structure. I would love for this world to encourage more empathy and compassion for our queer folks.”
-Jacob Lydick
With optiMize’s help, Jacob turned his vision into reality, partnering with the Spectrum Center at U-M and Necto in Ann Arbor to bring his show to life. Today, after a successful completion of a series, Jacob is gearing up for a Premiere Party on July 13th, 2025. Our respected readers are invited to join him at 210 S. 1st Street Suite 100N, Ann Arbor, Michigan at 7pm.
“Without optiMize, I would not have the financial, emotional, and intellectual support to complete this project, it would have still been a wish for something that never came to fruition. I have made many long-time friends through optiMize, one of which I will actually be living with in a couple months, this experience changed my life.”
It’s evident that fostering an inclusive environment allows us to witness the incredible achievements of LGBTQ+ leaders like Jacob, Sam, and Alex. We are humbled to be a small chapter of their incredible stories, which makes us grateful and strive every day to honor real people making a real impact. As we leave this month with pride, we ponder one lasting question, “Why not me?”