Meet the 2026 Leadership Team

Kori Hennessey (They/Them)

As the Executive Director of the LGBT Center of Raleigh, I’m humbled at how much support and love Out! Raleigh Pride has received over the years! This is my ninth ORP, including our 2020 virtual event and the 2021 outdoor car parade, and every year leaves me in awe of how incredible our community can be, especially since the last few years have been tumultuous for queer and trans folks.

This year our theme is #LouderAndProuder to represent a Pride that is not only a place to experience joy, but also to bring awareness to the greater organizing movement of keeping our communities safe.

Gwendolyn Love (She/They)

I received my B.A. from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I studied African and African American Diaspora Studies with a keen focus on Black Sexuality Studies and Women and Gender Studies. In my current role, I serve as the Program Manager for the LGBT Center of Raleigh.

To me, PRIDE means being able to live in my true authentic self without explanation or concern for what others may perceive: being able to showcase all the best parts of my identities, and never having to worry about dimming my light. This June, I think I’m most excited to see everyone come decked out in their pride outfits and accessories! I’m here for ALL the fits!

Amy Cox (She/Her)

Amy Cox is the Senior Vice President at Deep South Entertainment. She graduated in 1999 from North Carolina State University with a BA in Communications with a minor in Social Work. Deep South Entertainment has assisted with the planning, production, and implementation of Out! Raleigh Pride since the inaugural festival in 2011. Having been with Deep South for nearly 25 years, Amy has taken on multiple roles within the company. In 2005, she started taking the lead on running events and festivals for the company. When a collective of volunteers/leaders from The LGBT Center of Raleigh approached Dave Rose & Amy Cox in 2010 about doing the Out! Raleigh festival, Deep South was 100% on board and ready to support the efforts. As an ally in the community, Amy has thoroughly enjoyed producing this very inclusive festival that is for everyone. In 2016, Deep South Entertainment was honored at The LGBT Center Gala as the Organization of the Year. Upon receiving the award Amy said, “This community brings so much more to me than I to it. Thank you!” 

Cotie San (They/She)

This is my third Out! Raleigh Pride and I’m excited to see everyone on Fayetteville Street again! I’m stoked we’re back downtown in our newly renovated community center, and that we’ll be able to use it as an air-conditioned, accessible space for the community. My role with Out! Raleigh Pride is managing sponsorships and collaborating with Neash on communications. Email sponsors@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com if you have any questions about sponsorship opportunities.

John Hull (He/Him)

I’ve been helping to plan Out! Raleigh Pride for a number of years, and I keep coming back, because I truly believe in this event. This wonderful event brings together individuals with a huge amount of diversity, all coming together to celebrate the LGBT+ community and how far we have come.

This event is very important to me because I grew up in a very conservative community, and there weren’t resources for me to learn about being gay or places where I felt accepted and loved. Out! Raleigh Pride is a safe space to celebrate our diversity and to find resources. This event brings vendors that are LGBT+ and allies, as well as entertainment, food and plenty of people to meet and forge new relationships. Come join us!

Helicia Chiang
(She/They)

I studied Anthropology and History at NCSU and have nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality industry.  Wanting to connect more with the LGBTQ+ community of Raleigh specifically, I happily accepted this position in 2022 where I can support LCoR staff from behind the scenes while still having a front-facing role with community members at Pride and various events throughout the year.  I enjoy playing multiple sports with Stonewall Sports, watching horror movies or trashy reality TV, and learning the latest K-Pop dance in my free time. I also lead the Center’s Queer Adult Book Club!

This is my 5th Out! Raleigh Pride!!