University of Dayton alumnus Sam Brinker ’15 shares how he found his ‘heart work.’
There’s so much power in a personal narrative. Since graduating from University of Dayton’s School of Law in 2015, I have grown as an attorney by helping my clients navigate, translate and transmute parts of their stories — sometimes even by lending my voice to advocate for them when I am invited in to do so.
But my story is so much more, thanks to the power of community.
Without the co-creation and sharing of my story with the UD community and the LGBTQ+ community — and many other communities where I belong or have been invited in — my life would not have expanded in the same ways.
An openly trans man since first finding language for it, I started my transition during my third year at the University of Dayton’s School of Law in 2014, where I so often felt considered, included and affirmed. From the moment I stepped on campus for a tour, I immediately felt the sense of community. And then I had incredible opportunities to experience that community, like while growing as a publication editor and board member of University of Dayton Law Review and serving as a Dean’s Fellow, mentoring first-year law students.
It was especially evident in the ways people met me where I was and invited me to belong. Professor emeritus Rick Perna championed me during an interview process. Assistant Dean Staci Rucker asked what pronouns officials should use for me at graduation. Tracy Reilly, professor of law and technology, taught in a way that inspired me. As my mentor, she helped me recognize I wanted to start practicing real estate law following graduation. While my work remained in real estate for seven years, eventually my “heart work” became more of a focus.
I began serving on the boards for several LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations, including Living with Change and Rainbow Elder Care of Greater Dayton. And in learning more about community through those spaces, stories and experiences, I embarked on a different kind of transition — last year in becoming general counsel at Equitas Health, a Dayton-grown nonprofit community health center meeting people wherever they are in their journeys.
“At its core, my heart work is justice. The UD community has made an indelible imprint on that heart work.”
It is important to recognize that my journey is not nearly as jagged as the journeys of many folks in the LGBTQ+ community, or of other minoritized communities, and their stories matter; their lives matter. At its core, my heart work is justice. The UD community has made an indelible imprint on that heart work. For that, I will be forever grateful.
As told to Tori Miller '23
Illustration by Zachary Ghaderi