MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Jurnee Acosta-Ware is a Black, LGBTQ+ business owner based in Hudson. (Photo by Jenn Corriveau)Photo by Jenn Corriveau
Jurnee Acosta-Ware
Age: 28
Community: Hudson
Her story: Jurnee Acosta-Ware is an LGBTQ+, Black small business owner based in Hudson. Acosta-Ware is both a member and advocate of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I am a licensed esthetician who is openly queer and has advocated since day one,” said Acosta-Ware, owner of BadGalEsthetics. “My space is open and welcome to LGBTQ+ people and allies to the community.”
Acosta-Ware said through her business she has created a space where guests “can be relieved they are in the presence of a service provider who is going to take care of them, listen and respect them” — all while receiving beauty services.
“I am a woman of color representing being an out and proud queer person in an industry that is not very loud and proud about LGBTQ+ support,” said Acosta-Ware.
Throughout the year she aims to donate to organizations that align with her ideologies, she said.
Although donating to foundations that support LGBTQ+ are at the top of her list, Acosta-Ware said she also supports organizations that advocate for women’s health, cancer research, mental health and other humanitarian related spheres.
“Starting my business, I wanted people to know that being LGBTQ is no reason not to be a successful business woman in the beauty industry,” said Acosta-Ware.
Acosta-Ware was involved with her college LGBTQ+ club at Assumption College, now Assumption University, where she majored in business and minored in accounting. This wasn’t an easy thing to do at a Catholic college, she said, but it “needed to be done.”
She said the group was an opportunity for LGBTQ+ members could “get together and have like-minded people talk and share their stories.”
In her words: “Be persistent. Advertise. Be vocal. Make yourself present in your community like at craft and vendor fairs. Don’t be afraid to be different and network like crazy!”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
