Maliyah Arnold (she/her) is a passionate advocate, model, and actress who is dedicated to uplifting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. Born and raised in Hazel Crest, IL—a suburb on the South Side of Chicago—Maliyah’s journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. She studied Economics at DePaul University and has since worked tirelessly to create meaningful change in healthcare, community engagement, and policy advocacy.

In 2020, Maliyah joined the Board of Directors at Howard Brown Health, one of the nation's leading LGBTQ+ healthcare organizations. Over the years, she has taken on multiple leadership roles, including chairing the Governance and Investment Committees. Today, she proudly serves as Chair of the Board of Directors, helping to guide the organization as it celebrates 50 years of providing affirming, life-saving care to trans and gender-nonconforming individuals across Chicago.

That same year, she was appointed to the LGBTQ Advisory Council for the City of Chicago, where she amplifies the voices of marginalized communities and helps bridge the gap between city leadership and LGBTQ+ residents. Through this role, she has helped push forward initiatives focused on expanding access to gender-affirming care, improving public safety responses for LGBTQ+ individuals, and increasing funding for community-based services that directly support queer and trans people of color.

In 2023, Maliyah deepened her commitment to community service by joining the Board of Directors at Brave Space Alliance, Chicago’s first Black- and trans-led LGBTQ+ center. She is honored to support the organization’s vital work, which includes a community pantry providing food to those in need, a dignity suite offering gender-affirming resources like a makeup room and barber services, and support groups specifically designed for trans, gender-fluid, and BIPOC individuals.

With every initiative she touches, Maliyah leads with heart, advocacy, and an unwavering belief in the power of community.