September 11, 2018

Safe Space NOVA is critical because of the access and opportunities that it provides for our youth. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio proved to be quite difficult for me as a very shy and insecure child. I didn’t have the opportunity to enter many spaces where I felt like I could authentically be myself without ridicule or scrutiny. I had no support system to help me control my emotions and deal with the trauma of simply being different than the other boys in my schools and in my neighborhood. It took me years, including my move to the DMV to pursue a graduate degree at Georgetown, before I felt like I could be completely confident in who I am as a black gay man. The youth within our community deserve better than that same narrative I’ve heard so often. They deserve to live full lives and to be seen, heard, and treated with respect.

Currently, I serve as a Health IMPACT Specialist for the Gay Men’s Health Collaborative (GMHC). Our organization is an empowerment group for black gay men between the ages of 18-34. While the work we are doing for this specific demographic is extremely important with consideration to sexual health, it is so critical for organizations to reach out to the youth as well. I am honored to able to support the efforts of Safe Space through its partnership with GMHC. The reality of the success of this partnership has been our admiration of Safe Space’s ability to foster the next generation of leaders, scholars, and activists. I believe that they will be the driving force for the change that many of us are working towards today.

Even with this fantastic job and the opportunity to continue my education, I am still dealing with my own depression and anxiety because of concerns for the future. There is often so much pressure placed upon young people to work hard to be “the best.” I am 22 years old and still take moments throughout my day to stop and reflect on how far I have come to achieve these successes. I do this to take pride in who I have become. Though I am far from perfect, I have found that there was so much value in claiming my self-worth. Today does not have to be the limit of your dreams, but it is important to ground yourself in the beauty of who you are presently so that you continue thrive. It is my dream to be able to share that message with LGBT youth as they form their own paths and make new waves for the generations to follow them.

I wish much success to Safe Space NOVA and hope that we can continue to share a positive partnership to continue this great work in our community!