Aj Hikes

AJ Hikes is an experienced professional in strategy and cultural equity, currently serving as the Deputy Executive Director of Strategy and Culture and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at the ACLU since September 2019. Prior to this role, AJ served as the Executive Director of the Office of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, advising the Mayor on LGBTQ issues, developing city policies, and enhancing access to city services for LGBT communities from March 2017 to August 2019. Previous roles include Director of Upward Bound at California State University, Long Beach, and the University of Pennsylvania, where management of substantial budgets and program development were key responsibilities. Early career experiences include internships focusing on youth advocacy and social work. AJ holds a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware.