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Crosstown Arts staff will moderate a conversation with Mauricio Calvo and Sharolyn Peyton exploring how sexuality and sexual expression are linked to, and affected by, social and civic politics.

For the past 25 years, Mauricio Calvo has chosen Memphis, “the 901,” as his home. Over the course of his career, he has worked tirelessly to help ensure that the Memphis community has been heard. Through his leadership, serving as the executive director of Latino Memphis for 11 years, he has worked with diverse and underrepresented populations within and outside of the city. Using this platform, he has fearlessly spoken out against acts of injustice, both local and national, to uplift the voices of those in need.

He is a proud graduate of CBU. Mauricio obtained a masters degree from Lipscomb University and completed graduate work at Boston College. He is also a graduate of Leadership Memphis, New Memphis and Leadership Tennessee.

Mauricio is openly bi. He and his best friend, local artist Yancy Villa-Calvo, married 19 years ago. Together they are figuring out how to raise three future leaders: Anna 14, Carolina 13 and Santiago 11, all of whom proudly attend public schools. They all have to endure his cooking every night, from his famous grilled tacos to his stir fry tofu. The Calvo-Villa’s are champions of progressive social issues, and they love to enjoy all things Memphis as a family.

When feeling down, to boost his ego, he recalls being named “Top 10 Young Professionals” by The Memphis Chamber (a while ago), “12 Who Made a Difference in 2012” by The Commercial Appeal and “Top 40 Under 40” by the Memphis Business Journal. In 2018, he was named “Communicator of the Year” by the Memphis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2018 he received the “NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award” for Tennessee. In 2019 the Memphis Business Journal featured him as one of “100 Most Powerful People in Memphis business.” In commemoration of its 75th anniversary, The Memphis Urban League will recognize Mauricio as a Diamond of HOPE” in the fall of 2019.

When he is not working with his organization or spending quality time with his family, Mauricio dedicates time to contributing to other parts of the Memphis community. He serves on various boards, including the Downtown Memphis Commission, Hope Credit Union, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, We Are Memphis, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, and the National Leadership Council for LeBonheur Children’s Hospital among others.

Most recently, after 25 years, Yancy and Mauricio became US citizens, a privilege they know many are unable to obtain. As a citizen, Mauricio will continue to use his voice, and his vote, to fight for others that are deserving of their own American dream.

Sharolyn Payton, Professional Life, Business, and Community Coach, is a champion for all things human development. Her mission is to help people identify, cultivate, and demonstrate their full human potential. Sharolyn attended Crichton College, where she studied Christian Ministry and Belhaven University where she studied Applied Psychology.  She is the Lead Coach at Payton Place Coaching & Consulting. Her practice primarily serves nonprofit organizations, minority and women business owners, and visionary leaders. Sharolyn is known for her community-centered, advocacy-based, style of social entrepreneurship, as well as her passion for social justice.  She has been recognized as a community influencer who encourages and promotes solution-focused, inter-generational dialogue about social, cultural, political, and economic challenges that exist in Memphis and in our Global community. Wherever there is “truth” that needs to be told or hard questions that need to be asked, Sharolyn can usually be found in those places and spaces.