Today we’d like to introduce you to Leo Cusimano.
Hi Leo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
If you had told the 18-year-old version of me that one day I’d own one of the country’s most respected LGBTQ newspapers, speak around the nation about the future of local journalism, and somehow become the “adult in the room,” I probably would have laughed… and then asked if there was at least good Italian food involved.
My journey has never been a straight line. Neither am I. It has been full of unexpected turns, incredible mentors, a few spectacular mistakes, and a whole lot of saying “yes” before I knew exactly how I was going to pull something off.
I grew up believing in hard work, community, and showing up for people. I’m an Eagle Scout, and that “leave things better than you found them” mentality has followed me my entire life. I earned a degree in marketing, but what has shaped me most has been building relationships, saying yes to opportunities that scared me a little, and surrounding myself with people smarter than I am. I’ve learned that success isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, working hard, and never forgetting where you came from.
The greatest blessing in my life isn’t my career. It’s my family.
My husband, Tony, and I have been together for 45 years. He’s been my biggest supporter, sounding board, best friend, and partner through every adventure. Together we’ve built a wonderful life, including raising our two sons, Elijah and Jeff, whom we adopted through the foster care system. Becoming a dad changed my perspective on everything. It taught me patience, unconditional love, and what really matters at the end of the day.
Professionally, I’ve had the privilege of leading Dallas Voice for more than three decades. Along the way I’ve also become involved nationally, serving as President of the National LGBT Media Association and helping launch News Is Out, a collaboration of LGBTQ news organizations across the country. I care deeply about making sure local journalism not only survives but thrives.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate. I’ve had amazing mentors, remarkable colleagues, loyal readers, and a community that has trusted me with its stories and their history. If there’s one thread that connects my personal life and my professional life, it’s gratitude. None of us gets where we are alone, and I never forget that.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. But honestly, if it had been a smooth road, it probably wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun.
Every challenge has taught me something. The media industry has changed dramatically over the past few decades, and leading an LGBTQ news organization means you’re constantly adapting. I’ve learned you can’t fall in love with the way things have always been done.
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that change isn’t optional. Early in my career, I thought success meant protecting what we had built. Now I know success means being willing to reinvent yourself before someone else does it for you. We’ve evolved from being “just a newspaper” into a multimedia organization with digital journalism, newsletters, video, events, and national partnerships. Reinvention isn’t a one-time event. It’s practically part of the job description.
On a personal level, I’ve made mistakes, trusted the wrong people a few times, and heard “no” far more often than “yes.” Sales has a funny way of keeping your ego in check. But every setback has made me a better leader, a better listener, and, I hope, a kinder person.
At the end of the day, I still love what I do. I still believe local journalism changes lives. And I still wake up excited to come to work. That’s a pretty good sign I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Dallas Voice has been telling the stories of North Texas’ LGBTQ community for more than 40 years. We’re the leading LGBTQ media organization in Texas, but I like to think of us as much more than a newspaper.
We’re journalists, storytellers, marketers, event partners, cheerleaders, watchdogs, historians, and sometimes therapists. (Okay, maybe not licensed therapists, but we’ve listened to a lot of people over the years.)
We publish our weekly newspaper, produce daily digital journalism, newsletters, videos, special publications like OUT North Texas, host community events, and create integrated marketing campaigns that help businesses authentically connect with one of the most loyal and engaged audiences anywhere.
What sets Dallas Voice apart is trust.
For four decades, we’ve shown up week after week, whether the news was joyful or heartbreaking. We’ve covered everything from the AIDS epidemic to marriage equality, local elections, Pride celebrations, transgender rights, business openings, arts and entertainment, and the everyday stories that too often go untold. When something important happens in our community, people know they’ll find it in Dallas Voice.
I’m also incredibly proud that we’ve evolved without losing our soul. We’ve embraced digital media, video, social platforms, newsletters, and national collaborations while staying true to our mission of serving the LGBTQ community with credible, independent journalism.
What makes me proudest isn’t an award or a milestone. It’s when someone tells me they found a sense of belonging because of something we published. Or when a business owner tells me we helped them grow. Or when a young LGBTQ person sees themselves represented in our pages for the first time.
At the end of the day, we’re in the hope business. We happen to publish a newspaper, but what we’re really building is connection, visibility, and community. After all these years, I still think that’s one of the best jobs anyone could ever have.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I honestly don’t believe anyone achieves success by themselves. If they tell you they did, they’re probably forgetting a lot of people who opened doors, offered advice, or simply believed in them when they needed it most.
The first person who comes to mind is Robert Moore, the former owner and publisher of Dallas Voice. Robert took a chance on me, became a mentor, and eventually trusted me to carry Dallas Voice into its next chapter. That’s a responsibility I have never taken lightly, and I think about that trust almost every day.
My longtime accountant and friend, Ron Allen, has also been a steady voice of wisdom over the years. Sometimes you need someone who will celebrate your successes, and sometimes you need someone who will tell you, “Leo… let’s think about this one a little longer.” Ron has been both.
My husband, Tony, deserves more credit than he’ll ever ask for. We’ve been together for 45 years, and he’s been my biggest cheerleader, my sounding board, and the person who keeps me grounded. Every entrepreneur needs someone who believes in them even when they’re doubting themselves.
I’m also incredibly grateful for our team at Dallas Voice. Journalism is a team sport. Our reporters, editors, designers, photographers, sales staff, freelancers, distributors, and business partners all share the same commitment to serving our community. They make me look far better than I deserve.
Finally, I owe a tremendous debt to our readers and advertisers. They’ve supported Dallas Voice through four decades of change because they believe independent LGBTQ journalism matters. Their trust is something we earn every single week, and it’s probably what I’m most grateful for.
I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of people believe in me throughout my life. My goal now is to do the same for the next generation, opening doors for young journalists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders the way others once opened them for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dallasvoice.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dallasvoice
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/dallasvoice
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/19142335/admin/dashb
- Twitter: https://x.com/dallasvoice
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dallasvoice3020
- Bluesky: dallasvoice.bsky.social
