DEB COFFY

Deb(orah) Coffy (they/she) is a Black, fat, queer, non-binary Haitian American peer supporter, writer, creative, and researcher based in Orlando, FL. As a life-long activist, they began their work by knocking on doors and phone banking for local, state, and federal political campaigns.

 

As the assistant student director for the Multicultural Student Center, they uplifted Black and Queer issues and representation on campus by creating the first Afro Knights event showcasing Black Queer musicians in the Orlando area and alternative band, BLACKSTARKIDZ, and co-created the first Women’s Market Day Event in 2023. 

 

Deb continued their work through organizations such as the Queer Trans Project, Healthy Teen Network, Black Girls Smile, the Black LGBTQ+ Migrant Project, The Transgender Law Center, Community Change, and Brown Boi Project.

 

They were a communications fellow for Community Change, writing about Black folks, low-income issues, social justice, and LGBTQ+ folks. They are a certified recovery peer support specialist in the State of Florida and a founding team member at Eva’s Casita, the first peer respite in Central Florida.

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Because of their advocacy, they have been awarded the Legacy Award by the Black Staff and Faculty Association, the Dively-Dupuis Scholarship Award by the LGBTQ+ Staff and Faculty Association, and the Dorothy Walker Ruggles Scholarship by the Florida Supervisor of Elections.