In this series, Windy City Times will profile some of its past 30 Under 30 honorees.
Windy City Times presented its 30 Under 30 Awards, honoring individuals who have made substantial contributions to Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community in entertainment, politics, health, activism, academics, sports or other areas, from 2001-2019. This year, Windy City Times has revived its 30 Under 30 Awards, honoring a new cohort of LGBTQ+ Chicagoans and their allies.
Many honorees have gone on to great success in their professional and educational endeavors. One past honoree became the mayor of a major U.S. city, and many others have achieved success in the arts, law, academia and other areas.
One such individual is Alex Sewell, who was honored in 2011. He currently is involved with social impact and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives with the film/TV production company Bad Robot, which Katie McGrath and J.J. Abrams founded. Sewell is also involved in a similar capacity with Good Robot—Bad Robot’s philanthropic/social-impact arm.
NOTE: This conversation was edited for clarity and length.
Windy City Times: What do you remember about the night you were honored?
Alex Sewell: You know, I was actually in D.C. at the time. I was in my internship; I didn’t return to Chicago until three years later, and that was just to visit. I was in D.C. from 2011 until 2016. I actually left the day of [former Chicago Mayor] Rahm Emanuel’s inauguration.
I started with the Congressional Black Caucus in an internship. It was my first experience on the Hill. I actually ended up getting an opportunity with Leader [Nancy] Pelosi’s office. Then I got my first gig with the Department of Energy; that was a political appointment.
WCT: But you’re currently in L.A. How did that happen?
Sewell: I worked for Sen. [Mary] Landrieu at that point. I then went to New Orleans—my third home—and I loved it there. Then, I went back to D.C. and worked in administration for the Export-Import Bank. After that, we were approaching the 2016 election and I decided that I wanted to enter another influential sector that can create a ton of change and impact in our culture. And that was a time when the entertainment community started to do more, especially with President Obama’s administration. So I wanted to be a part of that, and I started working for a social-impact firm called Propper Daley.
Then, after my contract was up, I started working for Smith Family Circle, Will and Jada’s family foundation. [Laughs] It’s complex because I worked for their production company, and I then bridged over to their family foundation. And then I started working with Bad Robot five years ago. I’m focused on inclusion, social impact and internal culture. It’s been a long journey but each opportunity has been an honor.
WCT: I recently talked with a nonbinary dancer who said that dance isn’t necessarily as progressive as one might believe. Do you think that’s true of the film/TV world as well?
Sewell: That hasn’t been my experience with the people I’ve had a chance to work for. I think that the folks I’ve been with have backed their mission statements in a lot of different documented ways. I don’t think anyone doubts Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s commitment to community, and they’ve been on the international side of things. J.J. and Katie, who’s his wife and business partner, have established an anti-racism fund and have backed up their values.
But even though that’s been my personal experience, we need greater representation across the board in every single area. There’s a ton of work that needs to be done when it comes to diversity across executive ranks, and when it comes to talent and production. The data state that.
WCT: What are the best and most challenging parts of your job?
Sewell: The best part of my job is getting to be a strategic advisor and thought partner when it comes to advancing inclusion initiatives and programs that I think will have an impact in creating a pipeline for more diversity. By the same token, that work is slow-going; it takes a while for policies to change and for productions to be realized. I think we have varying levels of frustration with the progress we see in facets of our life, and this is just a longstanding frustration.
WCT: And what is that process of getting a policy out there?
Sewell: I think there are different gears that you have and, as a DEI practitioner, I think it starts with internal culture work. There are various programs that highlight the diversity within your company as well as further the intention of retaining diverse talent. So that starts with people feeling seen and that they add value to a community. I think seeing values on the external front line up with your internal—like supporting causes that matter to them—is important. Also, putting funding behind initiatives really matters.
I think it starts with the internal and then moves to the external, through actions we can see: investment, action and support.
WCT: And the good [Good Robot] is within the bad [Bad Robot]. Huh…
Sewell: [Laughs] Yes! And everybody can be a Good Robot within the company. For example, we have our employee-giving program—things like that.
WCT: Asking you something I’ve asked some people this past year, what is it like for you to be part of the LGBTQ+ community in today’s America?
Sewell: You know, it’s been such a beautiful journey from the time I was honored for 30 Under 30. Over that time, we were granted the right to marriage in 2015, when I was leaving D.C. And I remember seeing the celebration outside the Supreme Court, and I remember going to the White House when it was lit and the rainbow flag was there. I had the most immense sense of pride—but I was also closeted in a lot of ways and I wasn’t true to myself.
What I’ve experienced since living in L.A. has been a greater liberation to explore who I am. This was while we had a president, in Trump, who was creating and inflaming all sorts of anti-LGBTQ tensions. Part of what I’m getting at is that it’s been both the good and the bad. It’s been bittersweet yet joyful, especially about who I’ve become and how much we’ve progressed. I’m also enraged by the questions around that progress and the vilification of so many communities; I’m incensed by the hatred toward the trans community, first and foremost.
I’m also angered by the vilification of drag. I’m a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the art of drag. It’s caused me to become an artist and want to showcase drag to the world.
WCT: So you’re a drag artist?
Sewell: I am. My drag name is Sasha Bombpop. “Sasha” is “Alex” in Russian. The last name is from the Independence Day popsicle—red, white and blue—and it’s a tribute to our political past and our independence. It’s also delicious and is the most popular popsicle out there! [Smiles] I feel free enough to explore my artistic side in so many ways, including performance.
WCT: I personally wouldn’t dress in drag—but, if I did, my name would be Rachel Justice.
Sewell: Yeah!!! I love that! That is everything. I love a play on words. That’s so cute—and powerful.
But having gone on my journey, I’ve realized that the power comes from you—not institutions or leaders. You go out and set yourself free.
WCT: So would you go on Drag Race, if invited?
Sewell: Yes—absolutely! That’s such an amazing platform to be able to be myself and talk about the things I still talk about.