who are we?
To be part of a more connected and inclusive social justice movement.
Building Allies aims to work with those who are willing to learn how to identify necessary behavioral and emotional shifts to turn their privilege into change. We understand that allyship isn’t a destination. Which is why we believe in building active allies. An active ally is someone who witnesses an injustice and responds to it in any situation with actionable awareness.
Our belief is that everyone can become an active ally. Both in relation to their work, and within their overall way of being in the world. The more active allies that marginalized communities have, the greater chance we have of shifting the paradigm and creating a society that nurtures and supports the growth of those most often silenced and oppressed. Whether you’re a professional therapist, educator, intern, caring community member, or otherwise, we believe that being an active ally takes having actionable items to reference, and clear tools to practice.
our team
Kyle Sawyer
Founder, Director of Program Development and Design
Pronouns: he/they
Kyle is a graduate from Antioch University Los Angeles with an undergraduate degree in Queer Studies and a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Management. He began Building Allies, the organization, in 2013 and now proudly claims the title of co-founder with MD Spicer-Sitzes. Kyle is a long time trans activist and spends much of his time connecting his passions to social justice and challenging privilege. Kyle has conducted many lectures and workshops regarding trans identity to help educate individuals, organizations, and service providers in the development of their own active ally behavior.
MD Spicer-Sitzes
Director of Operations
Pronouns: they
MD is Associate Director of The Body Positive, co-founder of the L.A. Co-op Lab, and producer and co-host of Synergy Airwaves, a social justice podcast. MD spent over 18 years in the restaurant industry and now holds an M.A. in Urban Sustainability; a study at the intersection of people and planet. They work today supporting pathways to building curricula, supporting new programs, and breaking silos between movements. MD enjoys making and growing good food, hiking, storytelling, new economies, research, and a successful direct action protest.
Shirley Vilca
Social Media Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Shirley is passionate about empowering young people, education, and social change. Her background includes case management work with refugee and historically under-served youth in Seattle, teaching music to incarcerated youth in Western Washington, crisis counseling for young LGBT*Q communities, and delivering LGBT*Q literature to educators and students nationwide. She cites her liberal arts education at The Evergreen State College as the jumping off point which lead to a Masters in Nonprofit Management and a continual interest in social justice issues. When she’s not busy with Building Allies and her day job, Associate of Family and Community Engagement Programs with the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, you can find her volunteering as a crisis counselor for LGBT*Q youth, walking her dog Carlos, or catching up on some bad TV.
