Family Equality Welcomes New Additions to Our Board of Directors

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.

Rahsaan 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.