Hello, I'm Nico Wilkinson, a passionate poet, organizer, and artist proudly based in the vibrant community of Colorado Springs, CO. My journey is deeply intertwined with advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and fostering resilience through art and community building.For the first five years of my post-graduate career, I had the honor of serving as the Campaign Organizer for Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs. In this role, I dedicated myself to advancing reproductive rights and health, contributing to the vital work of an organization committed to making a positive impact in our community.Building on this impactful experience, I currently serve as the Development Director at Inside Out Youth Services, where I've spent the last 2 years passionately driving initiatives that empower LGBTQ+ youth. My role involves strategic development efforts to ensure sustainable resources for the organization, fostering a supportive environment for LGBTQIA2+ young people to thrive. I'm also the co-founder of Prickly Pear Printing, a project I founded with poet and storyteller Joy Young, where we seamlessly blended digital and letterpress techniques to create anthologies of queer love, joy, and growth. Through this venture, we have successfully brought unique and compelling stories to life, using the art of letterpress to elevate narratives that resonate with the LGBTQIA2+ community and beyond.One of my proudest accomplishments is being the driving force behind "Keep Colorado Springs Queer," an award-winning open mic that provides a platform for the queer community to share their voices. This initiative has not only received acclaim but has become a testament to the power of community engagement and artistic expression.In January 2017, I collaborated with Idris Goodwin to release "Inauguration," a work that earned the prestigious Pikes Peak Arts Council 2017 award for Best Publication. This project aimed to celebrate resilience in the face of the challenging political climate, reflecting my commitment to using art as a means of social and cultural commentary.I am deeply passionate about creating positive change through my work, and I look forward to continuing my journey in leveraging the arts for community empowerment and advocacy. Let's connect and explore opportunities to collaborate on projects that make a lasting impact.