“Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together” —Jacqueline Woodson.

About Stephanie

Stephanie Chrismon (she/they) is a Black/biracial (Black/German), Fat, Queer, Afrofuturist writer and educator who identifies as masculine of center. She presents and writes on topics related to race, sexuality, family karma, social justice, and generational theory, weaving pop culture, literature, and art into her work as critical tools to explore social justice and dismantle oppression. Through Stephanie Chrismon Consulting, they support organizations in building equity-centered cultures that are inclusive, resilient, and built to thrive.

Education

She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Hamline University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, Morris. They are currently pursuing a Master's in Strategic Communications at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and look forward to graduating in 2028.

Writing & Publications

Stephanie participated in the 2016–2017 Loft Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose and was a fellow in the 2015 Emerging Writers' Mentor Program sponsored by the Givens Foundation for African American Literature. Their writing has appeared in Water~Stone Review, MN Artists, The Root, Black Girl Nerds, and Medium, and she is included in the anthology Queer Voices: Poetry, Prose, and Pride. Her debut novel, Bright City, was published in 2017 under the pen name dc edwards.

Consulting & Professional Work

Stephanie is an independent DEI consultant with Avant Consulting Group and Strategic Diversity Initiatives, working with health systems, city and public works institutions, and higher education. They currently serve as a project coordinator at ACET, Inc., a woman- and minority-owned small business based in Minneapolis, MN, where they lead community-based engagement, project management, evaluations, and assessments. In 2022, they completed work as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant for the UW MESA state office via AmeriCorps.

Community

Stephanie is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a Black Greek Letter Organization (BGLO) founded in 1920 on the Howard University campus. She has been a member of the Sigma Beta Zeta chapter in Roseville, MN, since December 2018. They currently live in Saint Paul, MN, where they have made their home for 20 years.