Community & Connection

I started to see people of color because I am a person of color and tried to be effective in business and interpersonal relationships. I also started to see the LGBTQ community as part of my tribe because they were othered in their existence. I began to lean in and work with underserved or underdeveloped communities early on. When the AIDS crisis happened in Africa, I felt, as an African-American, that it was impacting me, especially as an African-American male. I couldn't figure out why, and I realized I could be helpful to African men. I volunteered for an AIDS organization, Phoenix Body Positive, back in the day. I got involved in communities so I could ensure people felt seen and supported, and I tried to use my skill sets to uplift and help them. I knew I was looking for my tribe. I was in choir, and I became a concert choir member very early on. That took me into other things in life because we were competing nationally and then internationally.