Rahsaan (he/him) and his husband chose the path of adoption to build their family. They are the proud parents of four children who are at the intersection of race, neurodiversity, and gender. Rahsaan and his husband believe in affirming LGBTQ+ families and all families on the margins. As a native of Rochester, NY now living in Buffalo, NY, Rahsaan and his family used social media to build a network of gay fathers. Starting in 2019 with only five members, this group has now grown to almost 80 gay fathers and fathers-to-be. This story was captured in the PBS Brave Spaces Special: How Gay Dads Are Finding Their Village Online
Rahsaan is a PhD candidate in Counseling and Counselor Education at Syracuse University and holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John Fisher University. Rahsaan’s teaching and educational philosophies center on intersectionality, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. One of his advocacy efforts includes increasing the representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ professionals in mental health and healthcare-allied fields. Rahsaan’s research on Black fathers raising children with Autism aims to illuminate their lived experiences, dismantle negative stereotypes of black fathers, and bring more awareness of Autism to communities of color.
In addition to Rahsaan’s educational background, he has over 20 years of experience in the fields of mental health, juvenile justice, community engagement, and healthcare. Rahsaan has worked in various settings, including residential programs, jails, prisons, hospital systems, community-based organizations, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Rahsaan serves on multiple Board of Directors in Western New York. Rahsaan is the Executive Director of Collaborating on Poverty Elimination WNY Inc. and the Project Director for Health Equity at the Community Health Center of Buffalo.
Rahsaan is the Vice President of Corporate Culture for Evergreen Health in Buffalo, NY.