Advocacy for LGBTQIAP+ individuals in rural environments requires us to focus on building authentic, genuine, and real emotional relationships that are transformative, not transactional. In racial and social justice initiatives, its best to amplify the voices for those with least power and help to build the strengths of multiple leaders to help sustain change. In this presentation, I will share with you my personal journey as a "fearless" woman in leadership that has come to understand the unifying power of courage, compassion, and character. Dr. Melissa K. McCollister is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Indiana State University (ISU). She has been an activist in the LGBTQIAP+ community for over 22 years and implemented the first LGBTQIAP+ youth program in Akron, Ohio. Additionally, she was a faculty liaison for students placed at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland. She has served on multiple racial and social justice initiatives in the community as well as the Summit County LGBTQ+ task force. In her role at ISU, she has collaborated with the local community to create LGBTQIAP+ safe zone training with three undergraduate students that completed a field placement in spring 2020. Currently, she is serving as the Executive Director for the new Pride Center of Terre Haute and she teaches macro social work courses, human behavior, and child and family practice. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx