TRACTION Board of Directors

Michelle Matlock (she/they/he)
[encourages use of all pronouns]

Michelle Nicole Matlock is a performing artist, creative coach, teacher, director, producer and founder of Circle Up Productions (CUP), a live entertainment and performing arts education company based in Tacoma, WA.

Michelle has been a part of the entertainment industry for over 25 years and had the honor of being the first African American Person to create a main character for Cirque du Soleil. They toured with Cirque’s big top show OVO for close to 10 years.

Currently Michelle is an Adjunct faculty member at Dell’Arte International School for Physical Theater and a member of the Puget Sound Revels creative team. Recently Michelle was Clown Director/Consultant for Circus Bella and Emmy nominated actress’ Carolyn Ratteray’s solo show Both And…A Play About Laughing While Black.

Michelle has continuous teaching engagements and collaborations with organizations across the nation including, Clown Gym, Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, The Clown School, Laughter League, Circus Amok and Tacoma Light Trail

Michelle grew up in Tacoma, WA., studied theater for 3 years at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. and is a Graduate of the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City.

Shelley Shore (she/her)

Shelley washed ashore in the latter days of the 20th century. She was found by an Angel, who nourished her and gifted her Hope. In her earliest childhood memories, she was awestruck and seduced by stories of Myth and Magic. Through it all she clung to those promises…3 Wishes offered…thoughtfully, carefully, she chose each one. Today, everyday, she glides on frail wings, fueled by the thermal updrafts, mindfully balancing the magnetic attraction of the Sun’s warmth and the powerful pull of the Planet’s gravity.
Not a day goes by, not a moment, when she is not humbled by those courageous Warriors who daily fight side by side for their Community, their shared Existence, all those who created and continue to cut a path through the wilderness, those who have suffered, sacrificed, survived and found Joy.

The difficult things we can do right away.
The impossible may take a little longer.

– Shelley’s Dad

Mita Beach (they/them)

Mita Beach (pronounced MEE-TAH, they/them), is a multi-ethnic consultant, strategist, leader, speaker, designer, and activist with a toolkit refined over two decades of diverse leadership experience. Their work spans event design and production to healthcare strategy and LGBTQ+ advocacy, making every collaboration a transformative journey.

As a seasoned professional, Mita brings extensive expertise in operations management, graphic design, and the delivery of transformative training and workshops. Their career is a living testament to a lifelong commitment to radical queer activism and mentorship, deeply enriched by their understanding of the unique dynamics within the LGBTQ+ community. Holding certifications in Crisis Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Six Sigma Lean Black Belt, and from WPATH in Transgender Healthcare, Mita expertly blends empathetic care with strategic efficiency.

Nohemi Lopez (they/them)

Nohemi Lopez currently works as a care coordinator at Included Health. They are an alumx of California State University, San Bernardino, and hold Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Child Development, with a minor in Gender and Sexuality studies. Nohemi is interested in public health, climate justice and activism, and community development within underrepresented populations. Nohemi also self-publishes and edits a zine created as a talking point for others to share their life experiences through art.

About their board work with TRACTION, Nohemi says: “I believe with the improvement of community relations, environmental justice, inclusivity, and social services, our communities will be able to thrive, achieve goals, and improve their health and well-being.”

Luckie Alexander (he/him)

Luckie is the CEO and founder of Invisible Men, he has a passion for Gender and Social Justice and is very committed to giving back to the community through education, training, and awareness. He is a member of many organizations including, CHIPTS CAB Member, Los Angeles County HIV Commission co chair, a proud member & Historian of the Brown Boi Project and a current member and past Chair of the Trans Advisory Board of West Hollywood. He has received several awards for his advocacy work including the title of Mr. Quest 2018, Stonewall Democratic Club’s Trailblazer Award and BMP’s Lou Sullivan Award in 2020 for the work he does centered around transmasculine individuals in the HIV/AIDS arena and The Williams’ Institute Unity Award 2022. He was the Assistant Strategy Director for the historic 2019 National Trans Visibility March and was recognized by the Library Of Congress for creating the National Trans Visibility March website. His experience spans 20+ years in capacities such as Workforce Development Director, SGA Leadership in Utah, AB109 homeless shelter program manager, Peer Mentor for homeless LGBTQI 16-24 youth in Las Vegas Nv. and entrepreneur. He is also the artist responsible for the 2020 Hollywood “All Black Lives Matter” mural and a new author of “The In Between”.

He also provides healing by creating fun wherever he goes and teaching mixed media art & computer technology. He also holds degrees in Computer Science, Math, and Culinary Arts and is currently working towards a BA in Psychology. Luckie is a dedicated member of the community and a father raising 4 children, and 2 new grandchildren to be open minded free thinkers and lovers of gummy bears.

IG: @InvisibleTransMen
FB: Invisible Men
IG: @LuckieAlexander
InvisibleTMen.org

“I wanted to create a platform we could tell our stories without taking up space in other ways. We are the only ones who can tell our stories and they need to be heard.” – Luckie Alexander

Your Name Here! – TRACTION is actively recruiting new board members interested in helping us grow. Contact us for more information.

C. Michael Woodward, Executive Director

Michael Woodward (he/him) is a writer, rock star, change agent, rabble rouser, and early leader in the gender justice movement. He is a co-founder and the inaugural executive director of TRACTION, and former director of Seattle’s Gender Odyssey conference. He previously served as Executive Director of the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance in Tucson, Arizona, and was Transgender Community Health Manager at Borrego Health in Riverside, California. He is also an experienced keynote speaker, LGBTQ+ inclusion trainer, and diversity consultant.

Michael has published myriad nonfiction books, articles, and blogs, most notably contributing the title essay to the 2014 transmasculine anthology, Manning Up, from Transgress Press, and several entries in Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality: Understanding Biology, Psychology, and Culture (ABC-CLIO, 2021).

A recovering Hoosier, he holds a BS in Public and Corporate Communications from Butler University and later earned a Master of Public Health Policy and Management and a Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance from the University of Arizona. Michael represented Mayor Robert Walkup for five years on the City of Tucson Commission on GLBT Issues and is a founding member of the University of Arizona President’s LGBT Advisory Council.

Michael is also an aqua fitness coach and an accomplished vocalist. He was the lead singer in Tucson’s infamous trans and allies cover bands, Too Much Information and BlackMagic: A Tribute to Carlos Santana. He lives in West Seattle with his nonbinary spouse, Carolyn, and their feline companions, Bruce Wayne and Cosmo.

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Operations Team Volunteers

Shelley O’Neill
Lara Americo
Michelle Matlock
Chase O’Brien
Nikki Neuen
Melissa Dickinson
Evelyn Dickinson

TRACTION Board of Directors

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