Speakers
Dave Crafts has committed his life and career to education, inclusion and community development work.
Originally from Sand Creek, Michigan, he has spent over 18 years in the field of higher education working at colleges and universities throughout the US. Currently he is serving as the Director of Student Life & Housing at Mercy College of Ohio in Toledo. Mercy College is part of Mercy Health whichis headquartered in Cincinnati. Dave expressed his passion for diversity by serving as advisor to numerous college student organizations for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. Hehas also served on expert panels and guest lectured at High Schools, colleges and universities across the country including the University of Central Florida, The Ohio State University -Mansfield, Aquinas College and the University of Illinois on topics such as hate crimes in the LGBT community, inclusion, safe space creation and collation-building. He is also certified through the National Coalition Building Institute. Dave is the former Executive Director of EqualityToledo. EqualityToledo works to eliminate discrimination in Northwest Ohio based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression through education, activism, and other anti-defamation efforts. Dave lead the creation of a new liaison program between the Toledo LGBT community, Toledo Police and Toledo Fire & Rescue which includes training law enforcement and fire cadets. Currently, Dave is serving on the Board of Directors for Project House, a new shelter for homeless and hungry LGBT youth in Northwest Ohio.
Through a demonstration of commitment to his community he is the immediate Past- President of the Special Event Association of Northwest Ohio (SEANO) and a Board Member and Resident Council Chair for Toledo’s UpTown Association.
Dave earned both his Bachelor of Science in psychology and Master of Education degrees from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. His master’s research investigated the need for an LGBT resource center to be created on GVSU’s campus. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Organizational Leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology researching gay male leadership development.