Chastity Bowick
2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader
Executive Director, Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Columbus, Ohio
Chastity Bowick is the executive director at Marsha P. Johnson Institute, a nonprofit organization supporting transgender and gender-nonconforming communities through community-driven programs, infrastructure, and pathways to housing, healthcare, employment, and civic engagement. Chastity launched the organization’s first Community Needs Assessment Survey, engaging more than 500 community members to surface urgent needs in housing, employment, and healthcare. Chastity previously led the Transgender Emergency Fund of Massachusetts, where she rose from volunteer to become the organization’s first paid employee. Through her leadership, she opened New England’s first transitional housing program for transgender people, a six-bed home that quickly revealed the overwhelming demand for housing and support services. Chastity also helped lead efforts to make Boston a transgender sanctuary city and collaborated on the “Keeping Black Survivors Alive” toolkit with the Massachusetts Women of Color Network.
Meet the 2026-2027 United States Leaders
More about the Leaders Program
Leaders
For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.
Learn More
- The Center
- Building the Center
- Watch
- Barack Obama