Meet The Team

Kelly moved to Lafayette in 2020 after spending 12 years living in Pittsburgh, Pa. As an active member of the LGBTQ+ E/BRG at The Bank of New York Mellon, it was only natural to get involved in the Lafayette community. Kelly has spent the last two years getting acclimated to the heat, humidity, and mosquitos of South Louisiana. She spends her days working from home with her four-legged fur kids and can't wait to see what the future holds for the queer community in Lafayette.

Wendy moved from Washington, DC in 2019. Knowing Lafayette wouldn't be as progressive, she anticipated getting involved with the community and creating change. In 2021, Wendy, along with the support of local businesses and volunteers, organized an inclusive Pride Festival, earning a "Wavemaker" award from The Current. Wendy is a provisionally licensed counselor at The Authenticity Center.

Brandi is a dynamic force working in Lafayette's community since trading Houston for the Bayou in 2010. Beyond her role as a dedicated parent to two amazing kids, Brandi is a catalyst for change in multiple spheres, spearheading initiatives at local schools, driving forward environmental causes with No Waste Lafayette and Deuxième Vie Creative,  and her own zero waste store Sans Paquet.  As a member of Leadership Lafayette Class XXXVI, Brandi hopes to stand as a beacon of change, shaping a future where every aspect of community thrives in harmony.

Peyton is a 26-year-old trans woman based in Lafayette, Louisiana. She serves as the first Executive Director of Louisiana Trans Advocates and serves as Board Secretary. She leads LTA’s legislative initiatives and helps lead LocALL (Legislative Organizing Coalition for All LGBTQ+ Louisianans) which LTA co-founded. She also became the first openly transgender person to be elected in the state of Louisiana in July 2020. All-in-all, Peyton combines her talents in advocacy, marketing, and organization to enact change.

Monet is a founding member of Acadiana Queer Collective and describes herself as "Queer-adjacent" when it comes to labels. She works as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Acadiana and when she isn't seeing clients she enjoys spending time with her husband, Chase, and her three cats; Luna, Zelda and Luci. She believes in leaving things better than she found them and hopes AQC can be a part of that mission.

Jess is a mom of two, an attorney, a triathlete, a blogger, and a yoga teacher. She is a member of the Junior League of Lafayette, a board member of The Family Tree, and a member of Leadership Lafayette Class XXXV. A native of Lafayette, Jess is a firm believer that our community can only be its best when everyone has a seat at the table.

Roxie C. Black is a woman of color and trans experience. She is a FFF Market Specialist for Circle K convenience stores. Roxie is on the Board of Directors for Acadiana Pride. She is a former Miss Gay Louisiana USOFA @ Large, Queen Apollo XLII, a cast mate at Bolt, a former Miss ROU and Miss Apollo, the first grand marshal of Pride Acadiana’s parade and continues to serve as the MC for the Pride Festival. Favorite quote “Never let anyone’s ignorance become your reality.”

Zack moved to Lafayette for college in 2019, graduated in 2022, and decided to establish his roots here because of the good food and great people. In school, he was active in the queer community on campus, working in UL Lafayette's Office for Campus Inclusion and serving as secretary of Delta Lambda Phi, the university's only fraternity specifically for gay, bisexual, transgender, and progressive men and non-binary individuals. He's excited to help make Acadiana a better, more connected place for the LGBTQ+ community.

Chrissy is a compassionate force within the Acadiana Queer Collective, where she brings a wealth of experience and advocacy to the forefront. As a devoted mother to three special needs children, she embodies resilience and empathy, channeling her nurturing spirit into her role as a life coach and baker. Chrissy's unwavering dedication extends beyond her family, as she passionately advocates for neurodivergent individuals, striving to foster a more inclusive and understanding community for all.

A native of Lafayette, Beth has spent many years advocating for safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Proudly bisexual, Beth has a passion for breaking down gender stereotypes and social "norms" so that everyone can feel included, regardless of their gender expression or identity. She's a professional communicator by day and a very amateur stage actor by night. You can also rely on her to remind you when the next election day is. Beth is attempting to raise a teenaged human and two felines in this crazy world. Time will tell whether she is successful.