Jodie
Patterson
Jodie Patterson
Author
Jodie Patterson is an award winning and globally recognized author, activist, beauty explorer and mother of 5. She was the first Black person to hold the position of Chair of the Human Rights Campaign Board, our nation’s largest LGBT organization. As a leading activist, she speaks on topics of identity, gender, race and radical parenting.
Patterson’s memoir, The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation was hailed by Alice Walker as “Marvelous”. Her second book, Born Ready, is one of several children’s books being reviewed in the pivotal Supreme Court Case Mahmoud v. Taylor.
Her story has been featured in a short documentary produced by Cosmopolitan magazine that reached more than 11 million views and is currently used by the State of New York for diversity training of its employees. In 2015, Family Circle Magazine named her the #1 Most Influential Mom.
Patterson is also a long-standing entrepreneur. She co-owns the renowned live performance venue Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater and co-founded two beauty companies focusing on women of color. Jodie received Beauty Skin Expert of the Year award by Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Previously, Jodie served as Director of PR for fashion designer Zac Posen and was the Fashion Director of Sales for the groundbreaking, urban publication, Vibe magazine.
She works closely with Mount Sinai Hospital on their Transgender Medicine and Health Disparities initiatives. The United Nations recognized Patterson as a Champion of Change.
Jodie Patterson lives in Brooklyn where she co-raises her five children with love, education and family solidarity.