Amber Hikes
2023 Women’s History Month
Amber Jelena Hikes (they/them, she/her) is an American civil rights activist and community organizer who currently serves as the chief equity and inclusion officer for the American Civil Liberties Union.
Before their work for ACLU, Hikes was most well known for their tenure as executive director of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, where they led the More Pride More Color campaign, which developed a version of the Rainbow Flag with black and brown stripes to represent people of color.
Hikes, who identifies as a “black queer woman,” emphasizes an intersectional approach towards sexuality, gender, race, and poverty in their advocacy.
Hikes plays five musical instruments and member of their high school marching band, playing in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Band.
Hikes received their undergraduate degree in English from the University of Delaware in 2006.
They first came out in her first year of college. She later moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her Master of Social Work in 2008.