Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Covington
Hi Christopher, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi my name is Christopher Covington (Pronouns They and He). I am a proud product of occupied Tongva Land known as Long Beach, California. Raised and still living in the heart of Central Long Beach, I am a multiracial, genderqueer person of color with many identities and lived experiences that deeply connect them to intersectional movements and spaces.
I was raised in a working-class single-mother household. My family and neighborhood experienced drug addiction and violence due to gang and gun violence. I was meant to be a statistic in prison or dead. I believed what saved me was my queerness. I was too queer to join my local gangs as many of my extended family members did.
While in school I was pushed out of school and home due to challenges and my queerness. Much like many young queer folks I experienced homelessness and survival decisions. I learned from an early age that I needed to be self-sufficient and in the back of my head I always had a passion for giving back to my community. So no other young person had to go through the challenges I faced. That set me on a path to educating myself on building community power to change the conditions for my people and our neighborhood.
I worked in politics and found a home in community organizing. With 12+ years of community organizing experience, I have dedicated my life to a future where all who have historically been marginalized, made invisible, and unheard are uplifted and empowered to challenge and deconstruct systems of oppression. My work has contributed to major local and national policy, systems, and culture shifts in education, violence prevention, youth development, and LGBTQ+ civil rights.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was raised in a working-class single-mother household. My family and neighborhood experienced drug addiction and violence due to gang and gun violence. I was meant to be a statistic in prison or dead. I believed what saved me was my queerness. I was too queer to join my local gangs as many of my extended family members did.
While in school I was pushed out of school and home due to challenges and my queerness. Much like many young queer folks I experienced homelessness and survival decisions. I learned from an early age that I needed to be self-sufficient and in the back of my head I always had a passion for giving back to my community. So no other young person had to go through the challenges I faced. That set me on a path to educating myself on building community power to change the conditions for my people and our neighborhood.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Chris is an intentional problem-solver tackling complex challenges, carefully considering the strengths of team members to ensure successful outcomes.
I serve as the Chair for the Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commission, Co-Leader for the Safer LBUSD partnership, Co-Chair for the Long Beach Advancing Peace Steering Committee, Vice Chair and Vice President for the LGBTQ+ Center of Long Beach Board of Directors, and Campaigns and Advocacy Manager with the National Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My lived experiences and drive to improve the living conditions of others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covingtonlb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.covington.923
