Felicia Lundquist: Breaking New Ground

Written by Melissa Karen Sances
Photos by Nikki Gardner

Published in Northampton Living (June 2024)

In a way, Felicia Lundquist is like a new pair of glasses for people who don’t realize they’ve been looking through outdated lenses. The training manager at Think Again Training and Consulting is a lifelong social activist who celebrates diversity in all its iterations. “People use ‘diversity’ when thinking about race,” she says, “but in the work we do we’re talking about all forms of identity – queer, people of color, disabled, immigrants … We’re thinking about who does not carry privilege and making sure we center those voices.” And making sure those people are seen – not glanced over, but taken in.

“Sometimes the challenge is trying to see the things we’re not even aware of,” she says.

While growing up in a mixed-race family in western Massachusetts, Lundquist was inspired by her mother, a Swedish American woman who contracted AIDS in 1990 – a time when the disease was considered a moral failing and a societal plague. Lundquist remembers attending a World Aids Day event shortly after that, where her mom used her platform to tell her story and advocate for change. In middle school, a friend of Lundquist’s made a joke – “What’s Magic Johnson on roller skates? Roll-AIDS” – and she sprang into action, talking with friends about how the disease had impacted her and hearing from them how it had impacted someone they loved, too. Later, as an undergraduate at UMass-Amherst, she organized a packed health education program featuring her mom. “We went from her telling me [about her diagnosis] at age 11 to having a full house to support and love up on my mom,” she says, her voice catching. The two inspired hope together until her mother’s death in 2003.

While pursuing her bachelor’s degree at UMass, Lundquist found mentors like Jacqui Pinn, then the Director for the Women of Color Leadership Network, and Ximena Zúñiga, a national leader in diversity, equity and social justice education. But finding support as a woman of color was an uphill battle. Upon graduation from the school’s master of education program, Lundquist published a chapter in “Black Women Navigating Historically White Higher Education Institutions and the Journey Toward Liberation” to encourage others experiencing institutional resistance. For many years, she worked at Springfield College as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, where she created renowned programs like A SEAT (Social justice, Equity, Accountability, Transformation) at The Table.

Two years ago, Lundquist had the opportunity to join Think Again, which offers professional development opportunities and unique organizational equity services.

In addition to the “Pride menu” detailed below, one of their popular programs is an Antiracist Development Group for white leaders, managers and decision-makers.

“What drives me is the belief that we can get to a place that’s better,” says Lundquist. “I see the opportunity to change the world and I want to do that. I’m being the change that I wish to see, that I hope others can see, too.”

A Matter of Pride

Some of Think Again’s most popular learning and consulting tools can help us understand LGBTQ+ inclusion in communities and organizations. The “menu” of programs below is a sampler of 4 topics that will be offered to individuals on June 18: accountable allyship; the gears of systemic heterosexism; discussing family and gender diversity with young children; and recognizing and addressing anti-trans microaggressions. These programs can be brought to organizations or community groups. All can be offered in as little as an hour, or in longer, more in-depth and interactive versions. They can be provided remotely, and some can be offered in-person depending on location and timing. The cost of organizational programs ranges and depends on the topic and group size.

For more information or to schedule a program, contact Felicia at felicia@thinkagaintraining.com.

2024 Pride Month programs include:

• Beyond Being Nice: Structural change for LGBTQ+ inclusion

• Cultivating Queer and Trans Resilience

• As Easy as 1,2,3: Discussing gender & family diversity with young children

• Trans/forming Allyship