Preston James Ross is a public servant and LGBTQ advocate whose career spans healthcare, Congress, nonprofits, and local government, with a focus on driving lasting community impact. He began his career as a licensed practical nurse, witnessing firsthand how systemic inequities shape people’s lives. He later served on Capitol Hill for then-U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume and Suzanne Bonamici, where he worked on constituent services, office operations, and legislative priorities. Today, he serves as Chief of Staff and Policy Advisor to the Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III, overseeing major initiatives that support youth employment, senior services, local economic development, and the County budget.
Preston also chairs the Young Nonprofit Professional Network of DC, where he fosters leadership pipelines for emerging nonprofit professionals across the DMV region. An advocate for inclusive policymaking, Preston brings a deep commitment to building stronger, more equitable communities through every role he holds.
Episode 150: Valuing Civil Society Organizations
Civil society organizations are funded differently in the United States and Germany, and LGBTQ+ organizations must take different approaches when seeking financial support from the public and private sector. Preston …
Activism and Storytelling in Germany’s Capital
From Weimar Berlin’s queer nightlife and groundbreaking research, to Cold War activism on both sides of the Berlin Wall, to today’s institutions and activists, Berlin has long been a center …
Grassroots LGBTQ+ Resistance to Federal Pressures
Over the course of 2025, the Trump administration has implemented policies and executive orders designed to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; defund support services for vulnerable groups, including …
Safe But Not Secure
Perceived Threats and Queer Realities in Washington, DC, and Germany In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s election in 2016 and his resurgence in 2024, LGBTQ+ communities across the United States …
