Family Equality is thrilled to welcome Dejon to our Development Department!
Dejon Campbell
Senior Manager, Program Events
(He/Him/His)
Dejon Campbell (he/him) is currently the Senior Manager, Program Events for Family Equality. In his role, Dejon oversees the programming for Family Week and provides support for a number of other events for the organization.
Prior to joining Family Equality, was a TV News Anchor and Reporter. Prior to that, Dejon spent years leading programming efforts that supported families both nationally and internationally. He is excited to have the opportunity to bring both his experience and passion to an organization that focuses on advancing equality for LGBTQ+ families.
At any given day, you can find Dejon with a cup of coffee in his hand, recording a TikTok, or just trying to make someone smile with the corniest joke he can come up with.
Top 3 favorite podcasts, books, or TV shows?
The Read (podcast), Coffee with Campbell (my new podcast coming this fall), and All Boys aren’t Blue (book)
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Creating LGBTQ+ content for social media, songwriting, working out, and traveling.
What drives you to do this work?
In 2019 I was a youth pastor on staff at a megachurch – living in the closet. One of the students in the youth ministry came up to me in June of that year and asked if we were doing anything for Pride Month. Because I knew that the church was non-affirming, I gave a generic “we love all, but not this year” answer. I felt horrible because I knew that secretly I was LGBTQ+ and saw the need for there to be more safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people. A few months later, I made the decision to come out and dedicate my platform to create those safe spaces. It was a passion I always felt, but was just so scared to step out. That student is now in college and follows me on social media. They are a part of one of the safe spaces I’ve been able to create. This work for me isn’t just something fun to do – it’s a calling. A calling that started with me first embracing my own humanity and now helping others embrace theirs. LGBTQ+ people should be treated equally – that includes LGBTQ+ families. Seeing the need to make this a reality is what drives me to do this work and I am honored to be able to do it.
What does family equality mean to you?
I am surrounded by LGBTQ+ families who have to face inequality every single day. Whether that is in healthcare, education, or even in the workplace. It pains me hearing story after story about how difficult it is to just exist for so many. Family Equality is that place that is working to make things better for those families. I like to say Family Equality is in so many ways the source to the solution. The work we get to do isn’t just changing the lives of LGBTQ+ families today, but it’s preparing the way for a more equal future for new families as well.
Life motto:
“The purpose of life is to live a life full of purpose.”