Channel Powe was born in Detroit but spent part of her childhood in Phoenix, which she and her son continue to call home.
Powe runs an organization that provides women, students, and low-income communities with education about accessing and advocating within local government. She leads with an equity lens in her roles as head of the Arizona School Board Association Black Caucus and a board member for the Balsz School District, which has five elementary schools.
As an African American, Channel understands the challenges that marginalized communities face. Her empathy is a big part of why she is so willing to speak up for gay and transgender communities, she said. She also has family and friends who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender, which has furthered her mission to fight against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination.