“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.” James Baldwin

In 1999 life as I knew it took a turn. I was diagnosed with HIV and became part of a growing number of persons whose existence would be framed by their health status. I was sad, depressed, and ashamed at myself. Add to that my experiences within the Black church and being told that my 'lifestyle' was unfavorable, I was hopeless. However, what I thought was the end turned out to be the beginning. Tragedy turned into triumph. ​

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In communities of color there exist gaps in how sexual health is addressed. The lack of conversation and understanding leads to behavioral practices that place many at-risk for HIV and STI infection. I decided to fill that void by sharing my story and educating those guided by ignorance, religious practices, and intergenerational teachings that hinder collective liberation. It has been a joy-filled journey that allows me to globally connect with a diverse collection of individuals and groups.  

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My passion and focus is on improving the wellness of marginalized individuals, specifically Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) who identify as LGBTQ. I posess 20+ years of experience in community engagement and servant leadership, and work to restructure how traditional systems engage in conversations about sex, sexual behavior, and human sexuality in effort to deconstruct oppressive approaches to the subjects. My doctoral research investigated the impact of faith-based sexual exclusion upon the lives of Black Christian gay and bisexual men who are actively involved within the traditional Black church. A sensitive topic that must

be addressed to create sexually inclusive spaces that support holistic approaches to wellness.

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In 2023 I founded Red Rainbow, whose mission is to eradicate the religious stigmas that marginalize individuals and prohibit inclusive spaces for worship. The journey continues.