NGLCCNY M3 and Annual Pride Panel

Join us IN PERSON for our June 2026 M3: Members' Monthly Mixer, hosted by SUNY Global and sponsored by East Midtown Partnership Business Improvement District! Our annual Pride panel discussion returns this year, moderated by David Belsky of Good Rebellion. 

5:00 PM Doors Open
5:15 PM Panel Discussion: Beyond Identity
6:15 PM Panel Concludes
6:15 PM Professional Networking
8:00 PM Doors Close

Don't miss this opportunity to forge meaningful connections with members, corporate partners, and non-profit leaders.

Beyond Identity, a Panel Discussion
Moderated by David Belsky of Good Rebellion (a certified LGBT business enterprise), the panel will bring together voices from government, higher education, and business to discuss what it means to go beyond being visible LGBTQIA+ contributors in New York City to drive real impact across our community. 

Meet Our Speakers!

Chris White was named SUNY's first Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Upward Mobility in 2014. In his role, he is responsible for providing strategic vision and leadership in creating and implementing workforce development initiatives, solidifying external partnerships, and ensuring seamless coordination across the SUNY System.

Chris has a background in workforce development, communications, and public policy, serving most recently as Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development at the New York State Department of Labor. There, he oversaw 100 career centers and a team of 1,100 employees. His career has included several statewide outreach and education campaigns, including New York State's $15 minimum wage, closing the gender wage gap, subminimum wage, and workplace sexual harassment prevention. Chris attended Ithaca College and has a background in journalism and digital media, having worked in strategic marketing and communications.


David Belsky is Founder & CEO of Good Rebellion, offering unique experience in communications and organizational strategy for purpose-driven partners. For nearly a decade, David drove integrated marketing and communications at The State University of New York, the largest higher education system in the United States. He successfully implemented a new brand across 64 campuses, helping to establish the system and its chancellor as national thought leaders. While at SUNY, David maintained a wide-ranging portfolio including media and government relations, marketing, social media, executive speechwriting, crisis communications, alumni engagement, student leadership, and supporting the Board of Trustees.

He then joined The Fund for Public Schools at the NYC Department of Education, where he built a newly created communications department from the ground up. David was responsible for developing and implementing strategies for fundraising, donor engagement, content creation, partner relations, reporting for the Board of Directors, and liaising with City Hall.Before founding Good Rebellion, David was managing director at a branding agency in downtown Manhattan where he oversaw both client strategy and growth.

He has been recognized as a Trailblazer in Higher Education by City & State Magazine, a Power Player in Education by amNY, a Notable LGBTQ Leader by Crain’s Business, and with the Young Alumnus in Public Administration Award from SUNY’s Rockefeller College.

David also serves as chief strategic advisor to the National Association of Higher Education Systems, chair of the communications committee of the BBYO Alumni Council, vice president of strategy for the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Democratic Club, and on the leadership council of the Binghamton University Q Alumni Network. He is often asked to speak at national and regional conferences and webinars, including the American Association of State Colleges & Universities, Association of American Universities, National Higher Education Teaching Conference, and the SUNY Council for University Advancement, and provides commentary to major networks such as CBS News.

A native New Yorker, David was born and raised in Queens, and now lives in Brooklyn. He attended NYC public schools, earned a BA in Political Science from Binghamton University, and his MPA from the University at Albany.

DéVon Christopher Johnson is CEO and co-founder of BOMESI and Founder/CEO of BleuLife Media Group. He has leveraged his marketing knowledge and communications expertise to build his brand from a single publication, Bleu Magazine, the aspirational lifestyle publication for Black men, to a full-scale multimedia company serving diverse audiences worldwide. He’s led the brand into successful partnerships with dozens of Fortune 100 companies, including Pfizer, Nivea, BMW and Coach.

He began his career in the entertainment industry at Def Jam Records and moved on to Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Atlantic Records; collaborating on projects for artists like Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, Trey Songz and Rihanna.

He also holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Harvard University and is a firm believer in “He who controls the media controls the mind.” DéVon is determined to empower young people of color with positive representations of themselves.

Yanery Cruz, New York City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus Executive Director is a proud transgender Latina leader, native New Yorker, and advocate working at the intersection of public policy, community engagement, and LGBTQIA+ equity. In her role, she guides the Caucus’ legislative, budget, and advocacy priorities while helping strengthen partnerships across New York City to advance protections, visibility, and opportunity for LGBTQIA+ communities. Yanery is committed to building collaborative spaces between government and community organizations and continues to be a strong voice for transgender visibility, civic engagement, and inclusive policymaking throughout New York City.