Board Members
Erin Bailey
She/Her
Executive Director/ Founder
I was born and raised in Utah until my marriage to a US Army soldier. For the past 20+ yrs I moved around and traveled quite a bit, and landed myself and my daughter here in Tyler, Tx. I am a mother to my only child and I have a wonderful fiance who supports me in all my endeavors. One of which is our LGBTQ+ Youth Group. I observed that there were plenty of other groups who are all wonderful and offer support to college age and older adults, but not a lot for our youth. They need to know they are not excluded from their community and peers.
Summer Adams
President
She/Her
Summer Adams is a native East Texan, proud parent, and a LGBTQIA+ Ally. Summer's advocacy journey began in 2015 with PFLAG. From 2016-2022, she tirelessly served on the board of TAG. In 2023 she joined the Alphabet Army board, and we a very lucky to have her! A more dedicated ally to the East Texas Queer community would be very hard to come by.
Mae Lynn
She/They
Vice President
Hi! My name is Mae (She/They). I am a mid-twenties, extroverted introvert born and raised in South Florida. I moved to Tyler, TX in 2017. I am multitalented creative with special interests in crochet and cosplay. I am an avid book hoarder and love reading! I love being present with my spouse and animals, and traveling whenever i can to Renaissance fairs and conventions.
Karen Wilkerson
She/Her
Strategic Planning Coordinator
A native Oklahoman, Karen arrived in Texas at the age of three and has claimed the state has her home ever since. She spent her early years in Dallas, but has lived in Tyler almost continuously since age ten, leaving only for education at UT-Austin where she earned her B.S. in Advertising and spent a few years working in Waco in the 1980’s. Her career includes experience in the advertising agency business, freelance photography, and crisis counseling after earning M.S. Clinical Psychology at UT-Tyler in the late 1990’s.
“Retired” at the age of 50, she has devoted the last 20+ years to volunteer service on many boards and other leadership positions including United Way, Tyler Unity Center, Equality Texas Foundation, and Texas Democratic Party. The FIRST LGBTQIA+ couple married in Smith County in 2015, Karen and her wife Jolie spend their free time traveling, grandmothering, and enjoying life with two ornery cats.
CJ Brinlee
She/Her
Secretary
CJ identifies as a "Crazy Cat Lady"
Pronouns are She/Her/hey you/& meow ("hey you" in cat). She aspires to be 'that' house on the block, the one with the weird things growing in her garden, that's always attracting wildlife, and may in fact be haunted. Also her blue shed can be seen from space. By day she is legitimately a scientist, by night a mad scientist. Regardless, she's mildly successful at adulting and enjoys teaching other people how to passably pretend to be adults too.
VOLUNTEERS
Lexi Woods
She/Her
Volunteer/Dungeon Master
Lexi is a parent, as well as an active member of the local queer community. Lexi has a passion for helping others and leaving joy in her wake. Lexi is characterized by creativity, intelligence, and a sunny disposition, and has received rave reviews from kids and parents alike that are involved with Alphabet Army. With a bevy of creative and social skills she is an asset to our organization ensuring the youth in our community will be enriched, entertained, and have a sense of belonging.