Staff feature: Meet April!

A photo of April smiling. She wears a light gold shirt and is against a dark peony background.

This week we’re highlighting April Jackson, our Advocacy Specialist and the voice behind Sunday Safe Spaces!

April describes her role as “bringing advocacy in and sharing advocacy out.” She advocates for both Open Up and external communities to create pathways for growth, while collaborating with the Community Specialist to engage communities and ensure inclusion and mindfulness during teaching. She also develops strategy and ideas for outreach to other communities to think about diversity at Open Up.

April says, “Open Up’s mission is important to me because it creates accessible and compassionate spaces. It aligns with my belief that mental health, disability, and identity are deeply interconnected, and that collective care, dignity, and lived experience are essential to building more just and supportive communities.”

April’s favorite way to practice mindfulness is to sit still in the quiet wee hours of the morning meditating, breathing, and praying. She also likes to walk and hike to be in nature.

A fun fact about April: She was a pointe ballet dancer for most of her youth and young adult life!