I was diagnosed in 2006. It was a hard time in my life, as I had recently lost my mother. I lost many friends to AIDS in the early ’80s, so for me to get HIV so much later was devastating. But I soldiered on and am glad that I am now on the other side. I’ve got my own business, and I’m living my best life.

 

What three adjectives best describe you?

Creative, gregarious, nurturing.  

What is your greatest achievement?

Starting my own business, MCSC. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t create. 

What is your greatest regret?

Not saving enough money.

 

What keeps you up at night?

Worrying about the future. I am learning to not live in the moment. 

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

The stigma is a death sentence. HIV does not have you; you have it. 

What is the best advice you ever received?

Write my own checks.

 

What person do you most admire?

Dolly Parton. She helps so many in the LGBT world. She is a saint and should be canonized.

 

What drives you to do what you do?

I love creativity. I love waking up and seeing what newness can be created.

 

What is your motto?

Without vision the people shall perish.

 

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

My phone. It literally has everything I need to live, LOL. What did we do before the phone became smart?


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

A lion. They are at the top of the food chain and are also majestic and powerful.