President

Deana’s email

Deana Spencer returns as the Board President for another term, serving for 2025 and 2026.  Deana is committed to inclusivity, education, and empowerment through representation, support, and by creating safe spaces for all in the queer community.  She believes in the power of collective voices and feels a calling to use her voice when others feel silenced.

As a Personal Banker, Deana is passionate about cultivating personal and professional relationships.  She is very active in volunteering and serves on several additional organizational boards and community coalitions to ensure representation of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  

In her personal life, she takes great pride in her three adult children and their partners and shares a beautiful grandson with her partner, Kim.  Together, they enjoy antiquing, traveling with friends, and attending concerts, her favorite being Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

 Believing in the power of humanity, Deana brings a commitment of inclusivity, education, and empowerment by continuing to create safe places for all in the queer community to ensure there is always representation and support. 

Treasurer

Dylan’s email

Dylan is the Board Treasurer for Battle Creek Pride Inc. and a proud advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. With 20 years of experience in organizational leadership and human capital development, they are committed to fostering inclusive spaces where diverse voices are empowered to thrive.

A passionate musician, Dylan sings with ensembles and community choirs nationwide, using the arts as a platform for advocacy and connection. They also provide training on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through The Art of Communication, a presentation series focused on authentic dialogue through positive, productive, culturally agile practices and principles.

Dylan believes in the power of education, storytelling, and community-building to create lasting change. They strive to uplift marginalized voices and cultivate environments where authenticity is celebrated.

They hold a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Arias’ email

Arias is a social work student and community advocate dedicated to advancing mental health equity, disability rights, and 2SLGBTQIA+ liberation. With experience in mental health leadership, public speaking, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) work, they focus on creating affirming spaces and systemic change to support marginalized communities.

Currently enrolled in the honors program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Arias serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors at the Recovery Institute of Southwest Michigan, as a member of the DEIA Committee at Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, and as a public speaker for Power Group. Through these roles, they bring a commitment to intersectional advocacy, recognizing that true pride means uplifting all members of the Queer community, especially those navigating mental health challenges and disabilities.

Believing in the power of compassion, representation, and collective action, Arias strives to build bridges between recovery, disability justice, and Queer liberation, ensuring that every person feels seen, supported, and celebrated for their whole self.

When not advocating for change, Arias finds grounding and inspiration in nature and through creating watercolor art, practices that fuel their dedication to ongoing personal and professional growth.

Board Member

Kyle’s email

Kyle has been involved with Battle Creek Pride for the past few years through the Pride Festival Planning Committee and is passionate about building strong, supportive community spaces. Kyle is especially interested in supporting administrative and operational efforts as the organization continues to grow. Outside of Pride work, he supports online businesses by creating systems and workflows that make day-to-day operations more manageable and sustainable, and helps his husband Ian run his family's restaurant, The Rooster’s Call, in Kalamazoo. In his free time, he enjoys coin collecting and spending time with his chihuahua Boston.

Board Member

Kayla’s email

Kayla McCarthy is a passionate community organizer and activist dedicated to advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and uplifting marginalized voices in the Battle Creek community. As a board member of Battle Creek Pride, Kayla is excited to contribute to the organization's mission, particularly through her role on the PR team. Alongside her activism, Kayla is a proud business owner of a photography studio, where she captures the beauty of the world through her lens. She enjoys reading, creating art, and spending time with her supportive and loving fiancée and their 10-year-old non-binary child and all of her wonderful friends. In addition to her work with Battle Creek Pride, Kayla serves on the grassroots council for the Art and Culture Collective of Battle Creek, where she’s committed to making a lasting impact. Through her advocacy and dedication, Kayla strives to create a more inclusive and vibrant community for all.

Board Member

Jade’s email

Jade is excited and proud to be a part of Battle Creek Pride's board of directors for the 2024-2026 term. With prior experience as both leader and event planner for Spectrum, Kellogg Community College's 2SLGBTQIA+ Student Organization, positivity and inclusivity are his greatest passion. He cares deeply for the transgender community and, as a result, facilitates the operation of a trans and non-binary support group, Umbrella. When not volunteering and working with BC Pride he enjoys drawing, occasional video games, and spending cherished time with friends. He is loved and supported by two wonderful partners and looks forward to building a life-time of memories with them. Jade is passionate and works to build a world where everyone is accepted and loved.

Board Member

Katie’s email

Katie is a dedicated volunteer with Battle Creek Pride and currently serves on the board for the 2024-2026 term. She is particularly involved with the annual Pride Festival. She is deeply passionate about promoting dignity and equality for all and believes meaningful change begins within our own communities. In addition to her work with Battle Creek Pride, Katie is an active member of the Calhoun County Democrats, where she has held roles as Secretary, Co-Treasurer, and served on numerous committees. Now retired from a national sales career, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and two grown children, as well as pursuing her passions for cooking and creating art.

Board Member

Cale’s email

Cale Winters-Norrie is first term board member with Battle Creek Pride and a dedicated activist for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, reproductive justice, universal health care and abortion rights. She started her political advocacy in college as the President of Michigan State University Students for Choice, a fellow with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Global, writing and implementing abortion and reproductive rights policy at the United Nations. After college, Cale moved back to Battle Creek where she has run for office twice and has continued her political advocacy working alongside organizations like Progress Michigan, Planned Parenthood of Michigan and the Michigan House of Representatives. When she is not working, Cale is an avid lover of Detroit Tigers baseball, embroidery, a cold Oberon and playing with her beautiful daughter, Ophelia. Cale is excited to continue the good fight and get into good trouble with Battle Creek Pride.

Our friend and Board member, Lori Smith, passed away Tuesday, July 8. While saddened by her passing, we find joy in the enrichment she brought to our lives.Lori often spoke of her faith in God and often watched the worship services of Christ United Methodist Church remotely, as well as being a former congregant of First Congregational Church in Battle Creek.
Lori was not only an incredible champion for the disability community but was also a huge advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, especially bi-sexually identified people, giving voice to those in our community who are oftentimes overlooked and underrepresented.
She was passionate and outspoken about the things she believed in, and she was an invaluable friend to those who knew her. Lori's feisty spirit will be missed dearly.