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Dave Crafts has committed his life and career to education, inclusion and community development work. Dave is currently serving as the Executive Director of EqualityToledo. EqualityToledo works to eliminate discrimination in Northwest Ohio based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression through education, activism, and other anti-defamation efforts.
Originally from the farming community of Sand Creek, Michigan, he has spent over 15 years in the field of higher education working at colleges and universities throughout the US. Currently he is serving as the Director of Student Life at Mercy College of Ohio in Toledo. He has served as advisor to numerous student college student organizations for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. Crafts has also served on expert panels and guest lectured at colleges and universities across the country including the University of Central Florida, The Ohio State University -Mansfield, Aquinas College and the University of Illinois on topics such as hate crimes in the LGBT community, inclusion, safe space creation and collation-building. He is also certified through the National Coalition Building Institute.
Through a demonstration of commitment to his community he also serves as the President of the Special Event Association of Northwest Ohio (SEANO) and a Board Member and Events Coordinator for Toledo’s UpTown Association, Inc – a community development corporation. The UpTown Association creates economic development opportunities in Toledo’s hippest and most diverse neighborhood.
Dave earned both his Bachelor of Science in psychology and Master of Education degrees from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. His master’s research investigated the need for an LGBT resource center to be created on GVSU’s campus. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Organizational Leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a dissertation focusing on gay male identity in relation to leadership development.
Dave currently lives in UpTown Toledo with his partner of 10 years, Jason, and their two cats, Puddin’ and Smokey.
