Today we’d like to introduce you to Chevalier Lovett.
Hi Chevalier, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It’s very layered and complex, yet it’s simple, and it all flows and makes sense. I was born and raised in Winter Park, FL. One of the few that can say I’m a naturally born Floridian and born in Central Florida! I was raised in a single-parent household – my mother and older sister have always been crucial members of my journey. I attribute a lot of my leadership experience and thoughtfulness to the strong women who have been in my life.
For the first half of my non-adult life, we lived in what I call the equivalent to “the projects” in Winter Park. Truly putting roots into the subdivision called “The Meadows,” which is a part of the Winter Park Housing Authority. Around the age of ten, our family was approved for a Habitat for Humanity home, and over the next 12 months, we put in blood, sweat, and tears to build what was essentially our dream home. So at the age of 11, I moved to the historic Hannibal Square in the center of Winter Park into this very home that we built with our own hands. I was zoned for Winter Park High and am a proud Wildcat alumni.
I’ve always been someone who loves to help people or groups/teams be the best version of themselves, so I’ve always made it my life’s mission to be of service to people and communities. I’ve been blessed to have leadership positions in a few very well-known and respected non-profit organizations throughout the country. However, it was the YMCA that took its first chances on me as a very young leader and made me fall in love with the community. Part of my own upbringing was that of networking and education, which was at the time what I believed to be the stepping stones to better my own circumstances. So it’s with that mindset that I chose to go into leadership positions that would allow me to merge the two.
After my time with the YMCA I went into education with City Year. Although I loved City Year, there was a pivotal moment in June of 2016 that changed my path in service to my community and others. On June 12th, 2016, the Pulse Tragedy took 49 angels from us. Of those 49, five were friends in several different capacities. What was so eye-opening was the fact that I was supposed to be there in a late celebration of my birthday. I never ended up going out that night and woke up to horrendous news. From that day and everyday after that, I decided that I wanted to go into work that would truly stand up for marginalized communities and their issues. It brought me into politics, policy, and activism, in which I joined the leadership team at Organize Now. At the time, Organize Now was already a well-respected local activism organization; however, in my time as Sr. Vice President & Managing Director, we were able to grow the organization to become a statewide entity and one of the largest, renaming it to Organize Florida.
In January of 2021, Organize Florida and a very similar organization called New Florida Majority merged to create Florida Rising, in which I was named and currently hold the position of Chief Operating Officer. I am proud to say that I am a first-generation college graduate. I’ve been able to study at many prominent and respected institutions like the University of Hartford and Rollins College. I value the process of learning and the many beauties that can come with it, so I’m always seeking to learn and grow every single day in any way that I can.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
To do so, that means I’d need to compare my journey with others and then make assumptions that either mine was better than or worse than theirs. The struggle is interesting to me because I know it’s a part of the process and a part of growth (one of my most favorite books to revisit is “No mud, no lotus,” which dives into this concept). So I’d say that there were many areas of learning and growth along the way. A part of that growth was truly understanding who I am and being okay with that. I used to shy away from moments of my childhood that were true, yet it seemed so embarrassing to me – like being poor, which for a really long time we were. Or growing up in a Habitat home in a city that’s known for its luxurious mansions and tons of wealthy homes. I’ve used moments like that to help center myself that I have more of an appreciation for things in life that others don’t. Food, a roof over my head and clothes on my back are celebrated every single day because there were some days that not all of those things aligned.
Also, what could be a “struggle” is knowing that there are folks out there that want you to be the best version of yourself. I did have a few hard times with that because survival really depended on so many moments alone and by myself. Currently having a significant other of almost 12 years, and him being the wind in my sails and me learning to be okay with that – because having a support system doesn’t make you weak. Having my tribe be made up of members of my given and chosen family and allowing the love & constant support I’ve seen with these two entities fuel my passion for a family in any shape or form they may take. This includes not always agreeing and learning how to collaborate for an intentional space of co-existence filled with love. That’s not easy!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I proudly serve as the Chief Operating Officer for Florida Rising. Florida Rising is a statewide independent political organization in Florida seeking to build broader multiracial movements with individuals from historically marginalized communities to win elections and campaigns at the local, state, and national levels that will improve the lives of people in the communities we serve. Our organization seeks to develop leaders to shift power to our communities to decide our own destinies. Florida Rising is an independent political organization bringing together Black and Brown communities to seize power and govern to advance social, economic, and racial justice across Florida.
Throughout my career, I have been known for a few things, mostly centered around bringing people together, helping folks reach their full potential, cleaning up and creating sustainable organizational and operational practices, and helping to lead in brand narrative and expansion. The work I am most proud of is centered around seeing those that I’ve had the pleasure of leading go on to truly reach beyond the potential they saw for themselves. And even more so when they do this to be in service of others. I love when things naturally fall into a beautiful progression. I also am proud I’ve broken down so many barriers and stereotypes that have been associated with people of color, those raised in households that were very far from being affluent, young professionals, and folks from the LGBTQ+ community.
I’m not sure if I’m special enough to say anything sets me apart from others; I will say, though, that I’m blessed to have many different experiences in several areas. It’s because of this that I am able to thoughtfully, mindfully and intentionally create spaces that make people feel good and challenge folks to want to do and be better.
Again, my life’s mission is to serve my community and the people around me, which is why I serve on several boards and committees locally and nationally, including – Opera Orlando, formerly as the VP of Development and currently as a Board Member and Host of their new series and talk show style platform called “Representation Matters”; Community Core as the Co-Chair; 26 Health as the Vice-Chair and Chair-Elect; Leadership Winter Park Alumni Council as the President-Elect; Leadership Florida Council on the Special Council for Equity, Equality & Justice; Opera America’s ALAANA (Racial Justice) Committee, as a board member for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando & Osceola County, the Winter Park Public Library as a Board of Trustee member, Poverty Solutions Groups and previously on the founding board for CRAVE, Inc. as the Community Partners Chair to name a few.
Because of my dedicated work to the community, I was humbly named 2020 Most Influential by Winter Park Magazine. I consider myself a new age activist – and my passion is being an advocate for the Peace Movement.
One little addendum about my career is that I’m also a classically trained musician as an opera singer, pianist, and conductor. I’ve traveled several parts of the world in this way and currently do so. In 2019, I took on the role as Contemporary Worship Director with First United Methodist in Winter Park. My music career has allowed me to enjoy and perform on local stages at places like the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and stages abroad such as Carnegie Hall.
What were you like growing up?
I’m sure anyone that came across me while I was growing up would say that I was annoying and obnoxious. I’m sure my older sister has something to say about this as well! I just always had so much energy, and I was intrigued by anything and everything. One moment I could be playing basketball at the local park or community center. The next moment I could be at the library on the third floor losing myself in books for nine hours at a time. Or it was possible that I was singing at a church somewhere near by or challenging myself to get as many answers right on Jeopardy!. Spending time in the athletic training room learning about all the functions of the body and getting athletes back on their feet, or even nerding out on choral music, being enthralled with the intricacies of the voice.
Because of all those experiences, I would say that I was in too much all the time. My mom argues, though, that those experiences were getting me ready to be a modern-day “Classic Man.” One thing that shocks folks is that I loved doing all of these things mostly by myself, which goes to my personality of being an extreme introvert.
Contact Info:
- Website: floridarising.org
- Instagram: ChevL21
- Twitter: ChevL21
Image Credits
Ash M Photography
