LGBT Life Center

Empowering the LGBTQ and HIV communities since 1989.

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Staff

Empowering Communities: Our New Health Navigator Guided by Core Personal and Professional Values

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Name/Nickname: Allison or Allie
Pronouns: She/Her
Job title: Community Health Navigator/Prevention Specialist

Where’d you come from and what’d you do there?
I am from South Shore Massachusetts, and relocated to Virginia Beach. At my prior job I was a Prevention Educator for HIV & Infectious Diseases at a small clinic in Brockton, Massachusetts called the C.O.P.E Center where I did everything from STI education with patients and community partners, HIV/HCV and STI testing, and community outreach.

I’m here to help you with…
Improving and empowering individuals to lead healthier lives and promote unstigmatized awareness and care surrounding HIV. I believe that empowerment, education, and access to care help individuals and their communities live healthier and happier lives. Any way that I can help someone achieve this, I will always try my best to do it. 

How did you become interested in working at the LGBT Life Center? 
I became interested in working at the LGBT Life Center when researching the areas of Virginia Beach and Norfolk. I wanted to continue working with an organization that I felt aligned with my values and passions both personally and professionally. I was excited to learn about The Center and its mission to serve those affected, and an organization that I felt was truly making a difference in people’s lives.

What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know?
One interesting thing that most people don’t know about me is that I worked on a farm growing up and originally wanted to become a veterinarian!

What excites you most about being at the LGBT Life Center?
What excites me the most about being at the LGBT Life Center is the opportunity to continue doing the work that I am passionate about as well as learn and help a new community and get to know my colleagues. 

Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…

• Animal: Shark
• Color: Purple
• Song/Music: Country, Metal, Punk Rock
• TV Show/Movie: Favorite Movie is “The Peanut Butter Falcon” Favorite TV Show is “90 Day Fiance”
• Hobby: Working out, kayaking, cooking, spending time with my niece

Contact Allison:
aramano@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

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Marcus Helps Clients Take Control of Their Health

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Marcus has dedicated his career to helping people get the resources they need to thrive.

Name/Nickname: Marcus Stewart
Pronouns: He/Him
Job title: Medical Case Manager

Where’d you come from, and what’d you do there? I worked in Applied Behavior Analysis as a Registered Behavior Technician working with kids with Autism.

I’m here to help you with… Linking clients to medical care, encouraging them to take their medication, and getting them the resources needed to take control of their health.

How did you become interested in working at the LGBT Life Center? I’ve tried to focus my professional career in helping vulnerable or disenfranchised populations. Learning about the services that are done made me want to help.

What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know? I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to four other countries across the world.

What excites you most about being at the LGBT Life Center? Working with a diverse group of people.

Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…

• Animal – Tiger
• Color – Blue
• Song/Music – R&B
• TV Show/Movie  – Everything Everywhere All At Once 
• Hobby – Games of all kinds

Contact Marcus:
mstewart@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

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Staff Spotlight: Anjeni’ Moore Leverages Our Resources to Transform Hopelessness Into Hopefulness

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Name: Anjeni’ Moore        
Title: Transgender Resource Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her


How long have you been with LGBT Life Center? 
I have been a part of the Life Center Family for 4 years, 2months. 

Tell us a little bit about the work you do at The Center:
As the Transgender Resource Coordinator, my role is to find and/or create sustainable and useful relationships with resources that provide services for trans and gender non-conforming communities. I receive online inquiries both regionally and nationally from trans-identifying individuals in need of services. In this position, it is my duty to find ways to assure trans and gender non-conforming communities have better access to gender-affirming care, mental health, wellness, and all resources that provide a better quality of life for all trans identities.

Tell us about a time you helped a client:
Throughout my tenure with the agency, I have had the privilege of helping many clients. There are some situations that resonate with you more than others. I do remember an opportunity I had to help a community member; they were in a situation where they were facing houselessness,  joblessness, no medical insurance, in an intimate partner violent relationship. This client was at wit’s end. Through our services plans and navigation, we were able to enroll the client into insurance; we were able to rescue them from intimate partner violence; we moved them into one of our Temporary Hotel Shelter through our Housing Department, then into an apartment of their own. Not only were we able to impact their quality of life in this regard, but after continual volunteer opportunities, this client became a colleague. I was so proud and grateful that I had the privilege of assisting someone in turning their life from hopelessness to hopefulness. Once this client was able to achieve these goals, they had a new lease on life and a greater sense of self. 


What do you love most about your colleagues? 
The thing I love most about my colleagues is their passion and heart for the work we do. Sometimes in the moments of working together, you find the unsung heroes that are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to assist our clients, and I love every minute of it. It rings true to the mantra of my life, which is “If I can help someone along the way, then my living will not be in vain.”  We are not working for the lights, camera, or action; we are working to change lives.

I love working with the LGBT Life Center because, to me, it is home. There is a sense of family that I can show up in my authenticity, and I am treated fairly and equitably across the board. There is no hidden agenda; there are just like-minded individuals with the same goals in mind. And those goals are to improve health and wellness, strengthen families, and provide transformative education and advocacy for all of those who enter our doors.

Contact Anjeni’:
amoore@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

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Staff Spotlight: 7 Years and Counting, Ricky Stith’s Work Enriches LGBTQ+ Lives in Hampton Roads

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Name: Ricky Stith        
Title: Senior Community Health Navigator
Pronouns: He/Him

How long have you been with LGBT Life Center?  7 Years!

Tell us a little bit about the work you do at The Center:

As a Senior Health Education Navigator, a large part of what I do is to ensure that the community has access to our resources, such as HIV/STI testing, housing, employment, health insurance, HIV Treatment/Medication, food, Prep, and Mental Health Services. I also facilitate (RISE), a group intervention for gay and bisexual men, and Health Living Project, an individual intervention for HIV+ individuals.

Tell us about a time you helped a client:

As previously stated, I work with clients who are HIV-positive. I help them live healthy lives. About a year ago, I had a client who just wanted to talk while I was at work during a testing shift. It was no big deal because I always tell clients to call me even after they finish services at The Center; this client, in particular, had gone through the Health Living Project. This client was depressed and said that he was thinking about suicide. I tried to engage in conversation, but he hung up the phone. I tried calling him, but he would not answer. I called the police and provided as much information as possible. Later that night, I discovered that he was featured on a local news channel. Apparently, his parents reported him missing.  Thankfully, he was later found and unharmed.  Basically, he just needed someone to talk to, and he chose to call me. I was so happy for him. Today, he is not only surviving but thriving. He is in mental health counseling and stable enough to have worked full-time for the past 6 months. Yes, it’s rewarding to help others. Sometimes those who you help feel as if they owe you something. They don’t. 

What do you love most about your colleagues? 

I will be 64 years old in December, and I am looking forward to retirement in a few years. With that said, I especially enjoy working with the younger generation. I learn so much from my younger colleagues, especially regarding technology. They are always willing to help me learn about social media. They are always respectful. I love it when they say, “Mr. Ricky.”   Also, I know that it will be the younger generation who will carry the torch for future LGBTQ+ causes and concerns. 

What do you love most about working at The Center?

I love the fact that The Center is a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. When I was young and growing up, there was no place for refuge in the community. I didn’t ask momma or daddy. You were on your own to find guidance, often in dangerous, unhealthy spaces.  Thank God things have changed for the better. 

Contact Ricky:
rstith@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

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Welcoming Bryan Armock, Director of Operations, to the Team!

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From the high seas to a “Higher Love,” our Director of Operations uses his passion for efficiency to make a difference in our community.

Name/Nickname:  Bryan, Bry, B, Skates, Mr. Make It Happen…call me what you want but don’t call me late for dinner!
Pronouns: He/Him
Job title: Director of Operations

Where’d you come from, and what’d you do there?  I originate from the great state of Michigan, home of snow, big lakes, and of course, The Michigan Wolverines—GO BLUE!  I am a former Navy Corpsman, often referred to as a Combat Medic.  After retiring from service, I followed my creative path, obtained my contractor’s license, and started my own home improvement company.

I’m here to help you with… Efficiency, process improvement, and standardization; anything that will help the organization better serve our community.  

How did you become interested in working at the LGBT Life Center?  I love OUR community; it has enriched my life in immeasurable ways, particularly in times of internal conflict. It is my greatest hope that I am able to give back as much as I’ve been given and then some.  

What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know?  I’ve visited 42 countries and 5 of the 7 continents.  The other two are definitely on my bucket list.

What excites you most about being at the LGBT Life Center?  The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my fellow humans, even if it’s a small difference.  

Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…

Animal – Polar Bear
Color  – Purple
Song/Music  – “Higher Love” by the greatest of all times, Ms. Whitney Houston.  “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is a close second.
TV Show/Movie  – The Golden Girls and Silence of the Lambs.  
Hobby – I’m a plant daddy!  I love to watch things grow! 

Contact Bryan:
barmock@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

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Our PrEP Coordinator Has a Passion for Helping People in Our Community

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When he’s not kayaking, hanging out with his dog, or teaching our community about PrEP as an HIV-prevention tool, Maxwell is in school to become a substance use counselor.

Name/Nickname: Maxwell Bradley/Max
Pronouns: He/Him
Job title: PrEP Coordinator/Prevention Specialist

Where’d you come from and what’d you do there? U.S. Navy, I was a ship mechanic on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for 4 years before transitioning to shore duty for a year and a half at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, working in Medical Boards as an assistant.

I’m here to help you with… understanding the benefits of PrEP, helping you decide if it’s a good fit for you, and helping our clients and community understand HIV/STI prevention methods and tools.

How did you become interested in working at the LGBT Life Center?
After meeting with Dexter at a support group I realized I finally fit somewhere in the world and wanted to pursue a career here.

What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know?
I am going to school to become a counselor in substance use because I really have a passion for helping people with substance use challenges, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.

What excites you most about being at the LGBT Life Center?
Helping and guiding people through their journey.

Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…

• Animal – Unicorns and Pegasus
• Color – Purple
• Song/Music – Country music
• TV Show/Movie – Friends or Scooby-Doo
• Hobby – Kayaking or hanging out with my dog

Contact Maxwell:
mbradley@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

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LGBT Life Center Adds a Housing Advocate to the Team

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Our new housing advocate brings experience from Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Welcome to the team, Matthew!

Name/Nickname: Matthew / Matt
Pronouns: he/him
Job title: Housing Case Manager 

Where’d you come from, and what’d you do there?
I previously worked as a Resource Coordinator in the Behavioral Health Department at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH.

I’m here to help you with… Housing resources!

How did you become interested in working at the LGBT Life Center? I’ve always wanted to build more connections with my LGBT community members and work in a field that prioritizes serving communities that are often overlooked or underserved. 

What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know? I create Dungeons and Dragons campaigns that I run for my wife and a few friends. 

What excites you most about being at the LGBT Life Center? Working with individuals who are passionate about the work and the people we serve every day.

Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…

Animal: Tigers
Color: Green
Song/Music: In The Bag by Mac Miller 
TV Show/Movie: Dimension 20 
Hobby: Board Games/ Table-Top Games 

Contact Matthew:
mpatton@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

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Welcoming Danielle Herman to Our Finance Team!

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Welcome aboard!

Name: Danielle Herman
Pronouns: She / Her
Job: Accounts Receivable / Accounts Payable Specialist

Where’d you come from, and what’d you do there?
I worked in the billing department at a law firm in Downtown Norfolk.

I’m here to help you with…
Grant reimbursements and accounts payable!

How did you become interested in working at the LGBT Life Center?
I wanted to give back to the community and do meaningful work.

Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…

• Animal – Cat
• Color – Yellow
• Hobby – Reading

Contact Danielle:
dherman@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929

Connect with us!

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