How do you identify? Gay, First Generation, Indo-Caribbean, Muslim American.
Occupation?
Senior Communications & Diversity Officer at the Institute of Diplomacy & Human Rights, and Professor at Miami Dade College School of Global Business.
Where do you live?
Plantation.
Age?
42.
What are you looking for in a partner?
The most meaningful qualities I look for in a partner are honesty, compatibility, respect, and support. I am also looking for shared values like kindness, loyalty, and determination. Trust and communication are also essential to building a healthy relationship. Finding someone who respects, understands, and supports my boundaries is important to me. Furthermore, we should share the same core values and chemistry, and we should be able to convey our goals, dreams, and desires. The person I am most attracted to is independent and loyal, as well as empathetic and understanding.
Biggest turn off?
Poor hygiene, lack of ambition, being avoidant, and selfishness.
Biggest turn on?
Having intellectual conversations, being friendly, making me laugh, and teaching me something new.
Hobbies:
Volunteering, activism, reading, traveling, amusement parks (roller coasters), Broadway/theater, art/photography, and writing.
Any charitable/volunteer work?
Board Director, Communications Committee, HarmonyWaves, a 501c3 non-profit performing arts organization in South Florida. We recently produced events in Wilton Manors, such as An Evening with Tony-Award winner Gavin Creel, the Wilton Manors Holiday Spectacular featuring Tony-Award winner Matt Doyle, and the upcoming Rock the Block Street Music Festival featuring American Idol-star David Archuleta.
News Anchor/Host, It's Happening Out Television Network, a 501c3 LGBTQ+ media outlet for news, information, entertainment and education, featured on Queer News Tonight, The FayWhat?! Show, and It's Happening Out Entertainment Show with over 10 million views worldwide.
Advisory Board Member, University of South Florida, School of Business.
Advisory Board Member, Communications Committee, Greater Fort Lauderdale Public Relations Society of America.
Florida State Representative, Grant Panelist, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
Juror, Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA Awards).
Pets/kids/neither?
I have a 13-year-old Shih Tzu named Patches. I adopted him at 7 months old while volunteering at the Humane Society of Broward County. His previous owner gave him up, and we've been together ever since.
What’s your love language?
My primary love language is physical touch (37%), followed by words of affirmation (27%), then quality time (23%), acts of service (7%), and then receiving gifts (7%).
What’s your favorite date night activity?
My favorite date night activities are experiences, such as going bowling, visiting a museum, going to a concert, doing an escape room, or a cooking class.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Binging reality TV shows, singing in the car/shower, and eating Taco Bell.
What’s Your Motto?
Breathe in courage, breathe out fear. My story represents who I am, where I've been, what I've felt, and where I'm going, not only as a human but also as one who has learned when to pause, catch my breath, and be proud of what has been accomplished. I am also grateful for the people who made me who I am today.
This year’s Valentine’s Day special feature is brought to you in partnership with CAN Community Health.
RELATED
