Lexis-Dotson Dufault
EMERGING NONPROFIT LEADER AWARD
Lexis Dotson-Dufault is a birthing doula, Reproductive Justice organizer, and the Executive Director of the Abortion Fund of Ohio (AFO), the state’s only abortion fund, providing direct support to thousands of abortion seekers each year. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Lexis is a proud first-generation college graduate and former foster youth whose leadership is deeply rooted in abolition, Black liberation, and healing from generational trauma through mutual aid, community care, and trauma-informed support.
Lexis’s journey into Reproductive Justice began long before she held a title: supporting family, friends, and community members through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum while navigating state violence, family separation, and systemic neglect. In 2019, she earned her degree from the University of Massachusetts with a focus on educational justice and the school-to-prison pipeline. That same year, she joined the Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps, leading her to intern, volunteer, and later serve on the board of AFO before becoming its third-ever staff member and now Executive Director.
In addition to her work in Ohio, Lexis serves as Co-Coordinator for Abortion Access with Advocates for Youth, where she helps expand access to abortion across universities in Massachusetts. She is also a storyteller with We Testify, using her abortion stories to break silence, shift stigma, and build power for people navigating pregnancy and care.
Lexis leads her work with the unwavering commitment to build a world where Black communities get to live full, thriving, safe and self-determined lives. In her downtime, she can be found catering to her cat Suge, trying various sweet treats, and listening to Megan Thee Stallion.