Brandon West

(Executive Director, Founder)

Brandon (Independence, KS) grew up in rural Cherryvale, KS, and graduated from the local high school with a class of 44. He graduated from Independence Community College in Independence, KS a year later, with an Associates of Science degree in Business Administration. Brandon then transferred to Kansas State University to continue to study Business Administration, and ultimately himself. During his college years, he spent a year living in Amsterdam, NL where he spent that time learning about himself and began the coming out process. He returned to Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education Speech and Drama while learning to live his authentic life. 

Following his graduation, Brandon started an internship with an animal rights organization, advocating while on the Vans Warped Tour, then to colleges throughout North America. After living out of a suitcase for over 6 months, Brandon decided to settle in Los Angeles, before circumstances brought him back to Southeast Kansas. 

Moving back to Cherryvale, he began working at a library where he developed event planning and project management skills that have helped him follow his dream of working for an LGBTQ+ nonprofit. 

Brandon started Project Q&A in the fall of 2016 with the help of his friend and board chair, Todd Young. Since the beginning, Brandon has been recognized for his activism, receiving the “American Library Association’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table Award for Political Activism,” “Independence Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Unity Award,” and spoke at the historic Stonewall Inn’s kick-off party for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and World Pride. 

Brandon has dedicated his life to raising awareness for the needs of rural LGBTQ individuals and working towards a more equitable society for all.