[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING DANIEL J. DOWNER AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA 
                            FOR PRIDE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2022

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Daniel J. Downer is a community advocate, 
facilitator, and public speaker with a long history of advocating for 
Black and Brown, LGBTQ+, racial, and social movements in Central 
Florida, Daniel combines his lived experience with his educational and 
professional expertise to create movements in addressing diversity, 
equity, health equity, HIV, inclusion, and LGBTQ+ issues.
  Daniel currently serves as the executive director of The Bros in 
Convo Initiative, a community organization in Orlando educating and 
empowering gay and queer individuals of color through comprehensive 
health education, linkage, and peer support. He is also an associate 
facilitator for The Equality Institute, a boutique DEI firm providing 
relevant, impactful, and comprehensive solutions to organizations to 
help build and strengthen their strategy and infuse diversity and 
inclusion into the culture, enhancing outcomes for everyone.
  Daniel sits on the board of directors of RAHMA, a Black Muslim-led 
organization addressing HIV/AIDS in faith communities through 
education, advocacy, and empowerment. He serves as the All-Black Lives 
Fund Steering Committee co-chair of Contigo Fund, a philanthropic 
effort to strengthen and network existing agencies and to identify and 
support grassroots efforts that advance Latinx and LGBTQ causes. He 
also sits on the board of directors of One Orlando Alliance and is the 
founder of the Black Boardroom Leadership Institute, a one-of-a-kind 
leadership training program that brings together both nonprofit 
organizations and leaders with a goal to guide culture change and 
create an ideal environment of inclusion of diverse voices in service 
to boards.
  In acknowledgment of his commitment to health, racial, and social 
equity, Daniel was awarded the 2018 GLAAD Rising Star Award, the Red 
Door Foundation's 2019 Leadership Achievement Award, Watermark's Most 
Remarkable Person in Central Florida in 2020, and the Orlando 
Trailblazer Award in 2021 at the annual Harvey Milk Breakfast and 
LGBT+Center Diversity Awards.

                          ____________________