Juancarlos “JC” Soto-Lopez

Juancarlos “JC” Soto-Lopez is a community advocate, organizer, and artist whose work centers on uplifting LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and Latinx communities in New Haven and beyond. He served in multiple roles at the New Haven Pride Center (NHPC), including Director of Case Management & Support Services, Deputy Director, and  since September 2023  Executive Director. 

Taking the helm of leadership, and navigating the Center out of a challenging fiscal period, the loss of its nonprofit status, and furloughing staff. Soto was able to restore the Center’s 501(c)(3) status, bring back a full staff to work, regain financial stability, and relocate the Center to a more visible space at 50 Orange Street in New Haven’s Ninth Square District. All in less than three months of taking up leadership.

During this time, Soto expanded the Center’s services: launching new support groups, health & wellness fairs, increased outreach for aging LGBTQ+ community members, and strengthening ties to broader immigrant and queer communities. 

Beyond his work at NHPC, Juancarlos is also an artist — his creative work draws from his Puerto Rican and Taíno heritage and centers immigrant rights, identity, and the power of activism. Now stepping back from his role as Executive Director in April 2025 to focus on family, art, and new paths forward, he remains deeply committed to community, justice, and expression. 

In everything he does, JC blends compassion and leadership — helping build safe spaces, demanding justice, and uplifting voices that too often go unheard.