I am the executive director of the NYC Center for Black Pride, which, among many things, is the producer of the annual NYC Black Pride Festival. Personally, I have been doing community work and supporting people living with HIV since the early ’90s by creating spaces and educational events. I became HIV-positive in 2010. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the NYC Black Pride Festival.

 

What three adjectives best describe you?

Creative, resilient, determined.

 

What is your greatest achievement?

I’ve had roles in the hit TV series Pose and New Amsterdam plus was featured in major films like Saturday Church. I have also been featured in The New York Times, SWERV, Vogue and W magazines.

 

What is your greatest regret?

That it took me so long to accept and live in my truth as a Black gay man.

 

What keeps you up at night?

Trying to find ways to get more funding to do more for the Black LGBTQ community.

 

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

The daily regimen of medications.

 

What is the best advice you ever received?

Get tested to know my status.

 

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

George Bellinger.

 

What drives you to do what you do?

I want to show people that being HIV-positive is not a death sentence. You can live a long, full, healthy life and achieve your dreams.

 

What is your motto?

Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone, so live every day to the fullest.

 

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

My wallet.

 

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

An eagle, because it would be great if one could fly, and eagles are a protected species.