Meet Our New Board Members: Q&A Spotlight!
We’re thrilled to announce two new lab partners to our amazing board of change makers and advocates who help propel the Rainbow Labs mission forward! Our board members are a titular pillar to our organization, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to expand the team!
We’d like to introduce Sydney Rogers, MSW (she/her), and London Taylor(he/him)!
Rogers is a Black Trans woman, performer, and equity strategist with over two decades of experience in advocacy, leadership, and healing justice. She holds a Master's in Social Work from Simmons University. She is the Program Manager for the Trans Economic Empowerment Project and Equity Lead of Community Programs at the LA LGBT Center, Board member of the trans advisory Board of West Hollywood, and Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Commission. A proud drag artist (Miss Barbie-Q), Sydney blends spirit, strategy, and community love into everything she touches.
Taylor is a political strategist and organizer with a background in campaigns, labor, and issue-based advocacy. He has years of experience building coalitions, shaping policy, and leading efforts centered on Black and LGBTQ+ communities. With a deep belief in the power of storytelling, systems change, and community. London is committed to creating space for young people to lead, thrive, and shift the world around them. He lives in Downtown Los Angeles with his partner and recharges through fitness, rooftop views, and a solid brunch.
Q: What inspired you to join the Rainbow Labs team?
Rogers: ”I joined because I believe in building the kind of world I needed when I was younger—a world where Trans and queer youth, especially Black and Brown kids, are affirmed, uplifted, and seen. Rainbow Labs doesn’t just imagine that world—it’s actively creating it, and I wanted to be part of that magic.”
Taylor: “I was inspired to join Rainbow Labs because I believe deeply in the power of community, mentorship, and showing up for the next generation of leaders. As a queer person who navigated systems that didn’t always reflect or affirm who I was, I know how impactful it can be to have spaces that truly center youth. Rainbow Labs creates those spaces. It felt like a place where I could both give back and help build something meaningful for young people who deserve to be seen, supported, and celebrated.”
Q: What about Rainbow Labs’ mission and identity resonates with you?
Rogers: “The unapologetic joy, bold creativity, and real investment in youth leadership. Rainbow Labs centers LGBTQIA+ youth in a way that’s not just inclusive—it’s visionary. It says, “You belong. You lead. You matter.” That resonates deeply with everything I stand for.”
Taylor: “Our mission resonates because it’s rooted in joy, equity, and real investment in queer youth of color. It’s not just about visibility. It’s about building leadership, building community, and creating opportunities that can shift someone’s entire trajectory. That kind of work isn’t just important to me professionally. It’s personal. Rainbow Labs reflects the kind of organization I wish existed when I was growing up and trying to find my place.”
Q: What do you hope to contribute or accomplish during your time as a board member?
Rogers: “I hope to bring my decades of community organizing, program development, and spiritual grounding into the work—making sure strategy and soul stay connected. I want to help strengthen pathways to sustainability and amplify the voices of youth most impacted by systems of harm, particularly Trans youth of color.”
Taylor: ”I hope to contribute both perspective and strategy. Whether that’s supporting program growth, expanding partnerships, or helping amplify the voices of the youth we serve, I want to be a connector and an advocate. My goal is to help make sure Rainbow Labs continues to thrive and remains a space where young people are not just empowered but equipped to lead.”
Q: What message would you share with the LGBTQIA+ youth we serve through Rainbow Labs?
Rogers: “You are not too much. You are not too late. You are the dream and the blueprint. Keep creating, questioning, resisting, and loving out loud—we're not just cheering for you; we’re standing with you.”
Taylor: “You don’t have to shrink yourself to fit into systems that weren’t built for you. You are powerful as you are. Your voice matters. Your dreams matter. And there are people out here who see you and are committed to helping you step fully into your power. You deserve every opportunity to lead, love, and live fully on your terms.”
