By Tom LeNoble—
Imani Rupert-Gordon is President of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR), a national legal organization advancing the civil and human rights of LGBTQ people and their families. Previously, she led Affinity Community Services and the Broadway Youth Center in Chicago. A nationally recognized leader, Imani has been named to The Root 100 and received the Judith Butler Award for her commitment to social change. An expert on LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and gender justice, she has been featured in major national media. Imani holds degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Tom LeNoble: Who modeled generosity for you when you were young?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: I couldn’t answer this question without naming my parents as people who were incredibly generous to me. They modeled generosity for me when I didn’t know what generosity was. My parents provided a life, an experience, and a home for me and my sister that they didn’t experience. We were one of very few Black families in our neighborhood. Our parents created a wonderful and loving environment for us.
When I was playing basketball, my dad would always cheer me on and my mom too, but in different ways. My mother, who didn’t really understand the game, just understood to cheer for people. She just thought everyone deserved to be cheered for.
Tom LeNoble: What keeps your optimism alive when the work you’re doing becomes difficult?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: You know, this work isn’t easy. It’s not supposed to be easy. What keeps my optimism alive is that I’m here to do it. No one tells you to do this work, you just decide to do it, and then somehow you become one of the people who are making important decisions about what it looks like for all of us. It is such a profound honor to be able to fight for our community.
Tom LeNoble: Tell me about a moment that reminded you that your organization is truly making a difference.
Imani Rupert-Gordon: We had a staff meeting just yesterday and were talking about something that didn’t go well. Someone doesn’t want to continue, yet she shared how grateful she was and wrote this kind note about how NCLR was available to do this work with her and how women like her aren’t supposed to thrive. This will not always be like this. It will be easier for trans women to play sports someday. But that day is not today.
Tom LeNoble: What is unique about doing this work in San Francisco?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: For me, it’s that I have community here in San Francisco. I know other folks who are doing this work here. I think we don’t always name how important it is to have people whom you trust around you doing this work with you, but no one can do anything on their own. And being here with such incredible leaders, many of whom you’ve done this very interview with, is an honor.
Tom LeNoble: What do you hope people will remember about your leadership long after you’re gone?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: I hope they remember that I tried to do the right thing and I also tried to do it in a way that was strategic, so that there was more that could be done after I am not here. I can create a foundation so that, after I’m gone, someone will be able to do something that I wasn’t able to.
Tom LeNoble: What do you wish every San Franciscan understood about the work your organization does and the people it serves?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: I would want everyone to understand that what we want is to create a world where everyone can thrive, where everyone can live with full access and be the very best versions of themselves.
Tom LeNoble: If philanthropy were a verb instead of a noun, what would it look like?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: Philanthropy is such an interesting concept. When we’re thinking about philanthropy and a philanthropic mindset, it’s living in accordance with your values, so that we don’t have to have this dissonance at all. When I think about philanthropy, it’s not only money. It’s time, it is effort, it’s finding ways to create change in your community. There are so many things that go into that.
Tom LeNoble: What gives you confidence that the next generation will carry this work forward?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: I think everyone wants justice, and I think there are always going to be people who can’t live in a world where people aren’t taken care of and not do something about it. And I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about humanity. I’m not concerned about it at all.
Tom LeNoble: If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to make a difference, what would it be?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: Find a lane that you want to change, that you want to be part of, and then do what you can to make a change in this environment. And I think that’s the same for civil rights and social justice. If you find your lane and then work in solidarity, you’re going to see how you can move something forward in solidarity with other communities, but also make your movement stronger.
Tom LeNoble: What would surprise people most about you outside of work?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: Something that I have really tried to do, and this happened when I first got here and it was also during the pandemic when we were sheltering in place, is I try not to say “no” to myself when there’s something I’m interested in. I went down this rabbit hole about watches and timepieces, and it was just so much fun to learn about these things and re-fall in love with watches, because it’s something that I’ve loved since I was a kid. Then I fell in love with guitars and how they’re made and what they’re made of. Right now, I am building a lot with Legos and having a lot of fun with that, too.
Tom LeNoble: If you had a totally unexpected, out-of-the-blue day off in San Francisco, where would you go?
Imani Rupert-Gordon: I don’t have a whole lot of those, but if one just were to materialize, I’d end up at a museum. meet up with a friend, and see something we didn’t expect. That is always a fun thing to do. I know there’s a ramen tasting menu where it is very hard to get a reservation; but, if I could, I’d love to go. And I’m always going to give a shout out to the Valkyries. I just love watching them play. It has been so much fun, but also, I just really appreciate their gameplay, too.
Tom LeNoble is an international speaker, confidential advisor, and resilience strategist who works with leaders navigating meaningful inflection points in life and leadership. He has held senior leadership roles at MCI, Walmart.com, Palm, and Facebook, and high growth startups. He is the author of the award-winning memoir “My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels.” Through speaking, coaching, and writing, he explores resilience, leadership, and the choices that shape how we show up for others and for the communities we serve. https://www.tomlenoble.com/
The Philanthropic Mindset
Published on August 27, 2026
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