Hurst, Texas

Positive since 2007

My personal journey with the Lord truly began with the tragic passing of my loving aunt in September of 2000. Although I was raised with a strong, diverse religious background, the loss of my aunt—my best friend and second mother—slowly pushed me onto a self-destructive path. Initially, I immersed myself in services for the LGBT community and HIV/AIDS prevention education. But sensing a need for change, in 2006, I moved from upstate New York to the city, searching for more. Enticed by the scene, I fell into activities and behaviors that eventually left me broken, homeless, depressed, and diagnosed with HIV on December 14, 2007. Lost and without hope, it was then that God’s grace covered me, lifted me, and placed me exactly where I needed to be to begin my walk and purpose.

Through the love and encouragement of the God-appointed family that I was blessed with, I then founded the house, Family of Vuitton, which supported LGBT youth in the ballroom scene. By encouraging them to stay in school, to do something positive, and to know their status, I was introduced to different organizations and support groups that graciously opened their doors to me and the other Vuittons. Soon, I was actively supporting the community, bringing my newfound family with me. I was a facilitator, case manager, trainer, tester and counselor. My love, faith and favor in Jesus Christ allowed me to grow spiritually and strengthened my influence in the community and for my family.

Organizations I worked and/or volunteered with include: the Village Care Of New York, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) support group, the AIDS Service Center, and the HIV Is My Reality campaign through Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD). I was also selected to attend the National African American MSM Leadership Conference in 2011.

I have used my knowledge and background to help homeless, sick, addicted, HIV-positive and cancer communities in any way I can. But when I stepped outside the LGBT community, I realized that the problem is bigger than just that one, and we need to unite all the communities. I founded a Vision International Ministry and moved to San Antonio, Texas, in 2012. At our first mixer, I got over 50 people tested while sharing the word of God. My mission in life is to bring people to God and to remind people that they will not be judged for where they have been or, the mistakes they made, because I have made them as well; I have been in a lot of places I did not belong. I want to give people hope and remind them that they can make it out of their situation with help.

After I lost my best friend to cancer, that experience opened a brand-new door for me. Instead of being sad and depressed, I put that into my ministry, which is now called Vision Unlimited. There is no limit to where we will go. There is no limit to how far we will go. Vision Unlimited focuses on but does not limit itself to depression, suicide, cancer, addiction, HIV, religion, diabetes and so much more.

Today I am married and living in Hurst, Texas, with my husband and our dog, Destiny. I have been sober for 11 months. I got my GED and enrolled in college. I have a long ways to go, but I am happy that I am doing it. My husband is a pastor of a small church, and he is helping me put together a wellness walk under Vision Unlimited.

This is my story. I hope it’s able to touch someone and encourage them not to give up.

What three adjectives best describe you?

Determined, honest, loyal

What is your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement was getting my GED and enrolling in college to work toward my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in behavioral analysis.

What is your greatest regret?

Giving up my dog Diesel

What keeps you up at night?

The thought that I was not there for my best friend when she was diagnosed with cancer and did not go to her funeral

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?

The only thing I would change is my involvement in the HIV community. I would do more to educate, because it goes far beyond the LGBT community. It’s in the straight community and even lives with kids.

What is the best advice you ever received?

My sister would tell me, I can do anything I can put my mind too as long as I try. Another one my mom would say is, “Do unto others as you would want done to you.”

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?

Thomas Powell. I met him back in 2010 and he changed my life forever. He is loving, outspoken, educated and a big part of the LGBT community back in New York City.

What drives you to do what you do?

I want to give other people hope, and to encourage them that they can become more than their situation.

 

What is your motto?

Keep it real or keep it moving.

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?

I would grab my bible to keep my courage and help build my faith.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?

A dolphin, because they are able to travel all around the world in the deepest parts of the ocean and see things we never could. They are loving and very playful.