Description of product or service:

Queerality is dedicated to creating, supporting, and stewarding art and education to influence a social shift that inspires intersectionality and inclusivity.

 How many years have you been with company or in business?

1

 What company or organization you respect most and why?

Ahh, there’s so many – GALAEI, The Attic Youth Center, and Morris Home just to name a few local organizations doing great work for our community.

 Which business leader or innovator do you most want to emulate and why?

Well, I can’t just choose one – is 5 too many? Haha! I want to be a hybrid of Marc Coleman of The Tactile Group, Amber Hikes of Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, Cara Rossi of Santander, Jone Magagna of The Magagna Company, and Lee Huang of Econsult Solutions.

 What is the most important business decision you’ve made to date?

Leaving an organization in Philly that didn’t quite agree with my professional vision. Because I left that position, though it be one of my most prideful professional titles, I have received so much more than I could have ever expected.

 What is the most important life decision you’ve made to date?

Moving to Philadelphia in December 2015.

 When and why did you join the IBA?

I have been a “member” of IBA since I joined PGMC’s Board of Directors in July 2017; I became my own REAL member (haha) in December 2017 – IBA is just too great an organization to only be a member by default.

 Since joining the IBA, what has been the greatest advantage to you and your business being a member of the Chamber?

The greatest advantage of being a member of the IBA is having the opportunity to develop professional relationships with amazing LGBTQI+ folks, entrepreneurs, and city leaders that have evolved into personal friendships.

 What is your proudest moment, honor, or achievement?

My proudest moment was ripping off the band-aid so-to-speak on my original life in Texas. After living in lies and shame, I quit my beloved career of almost nine years, in a school district I had been a part of for over 20 years, and made the decision to travel the country spontaneously and independently for two months before making the decision to move to Philadelphia. After being in Philly for just 16 hours, I knew this was a place where I could live in authenticity – personally and professionally.

 What programs, outreach, or organizations are you involved in that give back to the community?

Queerality was created as a for-profit, for-service business model to give back to local non-profit organizations and educational agencies who support the queer community. In addition to giving free dollars to organizations, we also volunteer at events like Philly Pride’s GSA Fair, attend events such as the Holiday Open House at William Way Community Center, and are planning workshops for 2018’s Trans-Health Conference.

 What is a little known fact about you?

I’m addicted to black pepper. Like, I take off the pepper shaker cap and just pour it on my food. The more pepper, the better!

 What is your guiltiest pleasure?

DO NOT TELL ANYONE – okay, you can. Over the holidays, I learned that there is a Real Housewives of Dallas, and of course, I binge watched Season 1 because it, sadly, reminds me of home. Haha!

 To date, what has been your most favorite vacation spot?

I’ve never done much vacationing, but my home-away-from-home before moving to Philly was Seattle, WA; since moving to Philly, I’ve only traveled back to my hometown, Dallas, TX. Nevertheless, I desperately want to go to Thailand and Italy.

 What is the last book you read?

Currently reading Whatever Arises, Love That by Matt Kahn.