Description:

ISGMH welcomes you to our October Current Issues in LGBTQ Health lecture with Cassandra Cantave Burton. Cantave Burton will present on AARP’s LGBTQ+ Dignity 2024 report.

About Cassandra Cantave Burton

Cassandra is an advocate, researcher, educator, and professional in the space of aging and nonprofit organizations leadership.  I specialize in diversity equity, inclusion and belonging.  I am currently a Consumer Insights Manager where I provided content expertise on internal and external aging issues with a focus on LGBTQ, African American/Black, Veteran communities, as well as people with disabilities.  As lead of the AARP LGBTQ research, I have partnered with organizations such as the National Black Justice Coalition, Human Rights Campaign, SAGE, Center for Black Equity, and the National Center for Trans Equity to advocate for, leverage and disseminate LGBTQ research and insights.  My passion is around issues that impact Black women, LGBTQ people, young adults, and multicultural/multiethnic populations. I am skilled at public speaking and am a sought-after speaker for many aging and LGBTQ+ organizations.

I previously served as the interim Senior Manager for the People with Disabilities Audience where I supported the creation of the strategic plan for the national People with Disabilities strategy. I was the liaison to key national external partners, such as non-profits and People with Disabilities spokespeople and experts; and internal partners such as the Diversity Council, Strategic Employee Engagement Resource Groups, and the Agile Project Group.

As a part-time educator within Georgia’s community college system, I teach Introduction to Sociology, Diversity and Aging, and Introduction to Gerontology to students who are first generation American and many who are first generation college students. My classroom is infused with lessons on life, equality, justice and attempting to help students become social change agents.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and Administration with a research focus on LGBTQ+ adults and health equity.  I will graduate in the summer of 2025.  I currently hold a Master’s degrees in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Walden University, a Master’s degrees in Sociology from Howard University and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion certification from the American Management Association.