Chanel Haley

Within nearly 20 years of advocacy, Chanel (she/her) is the first African-American Transgender person hired by the Georgia House of Representatives assigned to four Republicans and three Democrats. Appointed to the City of Atlanta Human Relations Commission by Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell in 2014. Later to be elected Chairperson in 2016-2018. Making her the first Trans-person to chair any City of Atlanta constituted board. She secured a 20k budget, the first for the Commission. The Human Relations Commission is the governing board for Atlanta’s nondiscrimination ordinance. The position with the commission gave her the authority to facilitate Trans* Humility Training at all the homeless shelters within Atlanta city limits. She is co-author of the “S.L.E.E.P. training manual” for the City of Atlanta. And was the only Trans-person appointed to the City of Atlanta’s HOPWA Modernization Advisory Committee.

Chanel served four years as the secretary of Georgia’s State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, cochairing and coauthoring: “Disability Rights and Civil Rights in Georgia” report. Elected 2017-2018 Fulton County Democrat Post Seat Holder At-Large. Elected as a 2018 Delegate to the State Democrat Convention and elected a district level Delegate to the 2020 Biden Democrat National Convention. In 2017, Chanel Haley became the first Trans-person to be listed in Real Times Media “Who’s Who in Black Atlanta” 17th edition. She is a 2018 graduate of the City of Atlanta Citizens Police Academy conducted by the Atlanta Police Department. In 2019-2021 Ms. Haley served on the Advisory Council to Recovery Resources of Atlanta Midtown Covenant Community, Inc. She served as the chairperson of Trans Housing Atlanta Program (THAP). In 2020, Chanel served on the Screening Committee for Out on Film and is 2020’s OUT Georgia Business Alliance 100 Most Influential LGBT Georgians. Served as an appointee to the Clayton County School Board Advisory Council as Vice-Chair in 2022. And served one term as Co-Chair on the Fulton County District Attorney’s LGBTQ Advisory Board. In 2024, Chanel became a board member of “The Communities And Police Partnership” (TCAPP). With appearances at 15 universities on 17 campuses, including Yale University. She currently facilitates “Trans* 101 Humility” Trainings by request custom for any type of organization. In 2016, 2017, and 2024 her facilitation included the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Chanel Haley has received 2 national awards from Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC):
2018 Trailblazer Award Winner, 2019 Monica Roberts Award for Advocacy Winner.
And is a 2019 Atlanta Pride Grand Marshall