“We all have the need to feel special, this need can bring out the best in us yet the worst in us. This need created The Velvet Rope”. This quote is one that I live by every day. It symbolizes being self-aware but conscious and empathetic to the struggles we all face as humans. As a native Washingtonian but raised in Prince George’s County, I take pride in who I am and the experiences that have shaped me. After graduating from The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2015, I soon got into HIV prevention and education. My passion behind this work simply stemmed from the desire to be a voice and face for those in the community who felt they didn’t have one of their own. As a Health Impact Specialist for DC Health, I was able to connect with many community-based organizations in the area to provide holistic sexual health services and education, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020, I moved to Atlanta, GA to further my career in Public Health. There I worked with a faith-based organization providing HIV prevention and educational services to an even more specific demographic of people, homeless and underpaid. Currently back in my hometown, I work as an EIS Patient Navigator for Washington Health Institute. In my spare time, I enjoy music, attending concerts, car karaoke, binge watching Law and Order SVU and traveling. As a long time member of the DMV based organization, Models INC, I enjoy modeling, dancing and coaching a new generation of fearless and fierce young men and women.
Tiffani Bell | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Faith-driven leader, founder, and strategist empowering others through ministry, purpose-driven community and coaching.
Colin Byrd | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Colin Byrd is a former mayor and a current Ujima Scholar, a master’s student in school counseling at Bowie State University, a member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society, a member of Chi Sigma Iota, and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. A...
Mark J. Cox | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Mark is a passionate polyglot, seasoned educator, published writer, skilled rapper, experienced filmmaker, and a former IT professional. Originally hailing from Northern New Jersey, he now resides in Baltimore City, where he lives with his loving wife and precocious...
Dr. Rochelle M. Thompson | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Dr. Rochelle Thompson is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and cultural thought leader known for creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and challenged to grow. With a background in mental health, organizational leadership, and community impact, she brings a...
Jonathan A Romero | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Jonathan Romero is a Bowie State University Graduate of the Counseling Psychology program. He has worked in direct care in the field of Behavioral Health for 4 years. When he is not researching and working on projects, he spends his time working as a professional...
Leon Thurston Jr. | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Lee Junior is a nationally recognized Leadership Development specialist, top-selling author and ordained minister, as well as the CEO of his Professional Development School, the University of Unstuck. Leon has spent the last 11 years leading organizations across the...
Kwanzaa Nivens | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Kwanzaa Nivens is a native Washingtonian, youth development educator, and finance professional with more than 26 years of leadership experience in public-sector financial management. She brings a unique blend of structure, compassion, and practical knowledge to her...
NiaChloe Bowman | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
NiaChloe Bowman is an Afropreneur, financial educator and community advocate dedicated to closing the racial wealth gap through culturally relevant financial education. In her early twenties, she navigated her own journey from poverty to financial stability as a...
Dr. Radhia Afif | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Dr. Radhia Afif is the owner and operator of The Behavioral Wealth Project LLC. For more than a decade, Dr. Afif has dedicated herself to the personal and professional growth of others as a Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS). She is also a certified facilitator of the...
Dr. Warren E. Leggett, Jr | GOAT Honors 2026 speaker
Dr. Warren Leggett Jr. has built an extensive career in psychology, addiction counseling, and criminal justice education, grounded in a solid educational foundation. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina A&T State University...