Previously, they spent over a decade in higher education in roles that supported and empowered students of color and LGBTQ+ students and communities. They ran the Bonner Program at the College of Charleston— an access to education leadership program that centers service learning and civic engagement in larger social justice contexts. Domenico also directed the ALANA (African American/Black, Latinx, Asian/Asian American and Native American) Cultural Center and LGBTQ Center at Vassar College, was an academic advisor at Bard College, and was the assistant director of the Multicultural Resource Center at Oberlin College in Ohio.

Domenico is one of the co-founders and facilitators of the Transformative Teaching Collective, a predominantly female, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC-owned cooperative that provides social justice education and consultation to non-profit organizations, university faculty and student groups, government organizations, k-12 teachers, volunteer groups, and faith-based organizations. They are also formally certified in social justice mediation from the Social Justice Mediation Institute, UMass Amherst, and has skills in multipartial mediation, facilitation, and conflict resolution.

In their free time, Domenico serves on the boards of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Charleston City Paper, and is an active member and vice president of the Charleston Blockade Rugby Club— the state’s first queer and inclusive sports team. In 2023, they were awarded the LGBT+ Icon Award by the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, a Forty Under 40 honoree by the Charleston Regional Business Journal, and a Jefferson Award by Multiplying Good South Carolina. Most recently, Domenico was a 2024 Forty Under 40 honoree by his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz.

She has led and designed culturally responsive programs focused on HIV prevention, mental health, and substance use among Latinx transgender women of color—serving in roles ranging from Lead Care Manager to Program Manager for trusted organizations like Instituto Familiar de la Raza and the San Francisco Community Health Center. Currently, she consults nationally on workshops that center the lived experiences of trans women of color through the GLOW Program with Gilead and NMAC.

Alejandra is also a dynamic facilitator, speaker, and emcee. She’s hosted prominent events including San Francisco Trans March, Gay Pride, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Transgender Day of Visibility, using her platform to elevate intergenerational wisdom, cultural pride, and trans liberation.

Fluent in English and Spanish, and trained in HIV counseling, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing, Alejandra brings heart, humor, and unmatched expertise to everything she does.

Before moving to Charleston, Anna served as Executive Director of OUTright Youth in Hickory, North Carolina, an LGBTQ+ youth organization creating safe and affirming spaces for young people and families. Most recently, Anna served as Associate Director of Statewide Impact & Community Engagement at Palmetto Project, where she helped build community partnerships, strengthen stakeholder engagement, support donor cultivation and stewardship, and advance statewide initiatives serving vulnerable families.

Anna is passionate about relationship-centered fundraising, community-building, and connecting people to causes that create meaningful change. She is excited to support WAF’s continued growth and help build the philanthropic partnerships that make affirming programs, spaces, and support possible for LGBTQ+ young people across South Carolina.

Across his professional journey, Luis has been dedicated to fostering inclusive environments, building meaningful community partnerships, and creating opportunities for individuals and families from diverse backgrounds to thrive.

Luis earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston College, where his research focused on leadership practices that support LGBTQ+ youth in schools. His work has emphasized the importance of creating safe, welcoming, and affirming environments where young people feel valued, respected, and empowered to be their authentic selves. He has also served on nonprofit boards and developed community engagement initiatives that bring together families, volunteers, and community organizations to strengthen connections and expand opportunities for those they serve.

Luis believes that meaningful community service begins with listening, building relationships, and ensuring that everyone feels a sense of belonging. He is excited to bring his experience in organizational leadership, community engagement, and advocacy to WAF, where he looks forward to supporting its mission and contributing to a vibrant, welcoming, and affirming Community Center for LGBTQ+ youth and the broader community.

Michael is passionate about people, community, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and cared for. In addition to his retail leadership, Michael has been an active part of Charleston’s LGBTQ+ community through his work as the Director of Entertainment for Charleston Pride, where he has helped coordinate entertainment, performers, events, and community experiences across the greater Charleston area. As Kymmya Starr, a prominent drag entertainer and pageant director, he has also been crowned Ms. Charleston Black Pride and Empress of Charleston, honors that reflect his commitment to community, creativity, and showing up for others.

Michael is excited to bring his leadership, joy, creativity, and love for community to Closet Case as it continues to grow as a welcoming and affirming space for WAF’s broader community.

Their work brings together storytelling, design, and a strong commitment to accessibility, youth safety, and trauma-informed communications.

Before joining WAF in this role, Carlz served in communications, advancement, IT, and community center leadership roles in the Philippines, Australia, Dubai, and Charleston. As a drag entertainer, Carlz performs as Cassandra Cake and was crowned 2026 Sovereign of Charleston Pride, bringing creativity, joy, and community presence to their work both on and off stage.

Whether they are building a campaign, designing a newsletter, organizing digital systems, or adding just the right amount of fabulous to a spreadsheet, Carlz is passionate about making WAF’s communications welcoming, beautiful, strategic, and rooted in love for LGBTQ+ young people.

His involvement in the Charleston community was present as he became Bonner leader and volunteered with the afterschool program called Cusabo Scholars and the We Are Family. While interning and volunteering with local organizations his focus was always on youth outreach and education. 

After graduating in 2021, Troy worked as an Education Specialist with the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry where he engaged in various activities that sparked joy, imagination, and wonder to all the children who would visit. It was there that he learned the true value of Queer representation in rural areas and developed a passion for youth advocacy. Today, his passion to connect trans and queer youth to necessary affirming resources is his drive to keep fighting for a safe community for Queer students in the local area to thrive! 

In his personal time, Troy can be found outside in his garden, trying new vegan recipes in the kitchen, or relaxing with his cat, Arlo. 

Her work spans across roles dedicated to empowering children, adolescents, and their families. She began as a Registered Behavioral Technician, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with youth on the autism spectrum. This early experience fostered a passion for understanding behavior and embracing the unique strengths and needs of individuals.

Today, Chandler continues this mission through her thriving therapy practice, where she works with youth, adolescents, and their parents. She is committed to helping families navigate challenges, strengthen connections, and foster growth. Driven by a deep commitment to social justice, service, and integrity, Chandler approaches her work as a social worker with compassion, empathy, and a focus on long-term positive impact.

She loves helping people find something they’re confident in or excited about. After all, everyone deserves some good retail therapy especially when it benefits a good cause! Originally from Central Maryland, Lilly is grateful to be embraced by the Charleston community and her chosen family at WAF.

For nearly 10 years she has been an instructor for physical education and emergency medicine courses through The Citadel and Lowcountry Regional EMS Council, overseeing the skills education for students seeking EMT and Paramedic certifications for the latter. She is also an American Heart Association instructor for Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support courses.

Her other great passion for the last 20+ years has been the sport of Rugby, where she is still an active player, coach, medic, and referee.  Her home club is the Charleston Blockade - an inclusive team that embraces LGBTQ+ membership from all people, and supports WAF as their primary charity. 

She has always felt different and knew she was female at heart for as long as she can remember, and she fully came out at age 12 on the first day of Pride Month in June 2021.

Annie is the second oldest of six siblings, with one older sister, two younger sisters, and two younger brothers. Annie is proud of who she is, lives authentically every day, and strives to make the world a better place by leading with kindness wherever she goes.

They have been working with WAF as a committee member for their Trans Love Fund, a moderator for their Discord servers, and are so proud and excited to be joining the Ambassador Program! Indie’s passion extends to their work as a Holistic Healing and Reality Creation Coach, trained through The Institute for Coaching Mastery. They’re most fulfilled through helping people learn to take back their agency, supporting them in healing from the inside out, and empowering them to live authentically and follow their most aligned path.

In his free time, he paints, listens to music, and spends time with his family and friends. He is looking forward to working with We Are Family and participating in events and outings. He looks forward to helping the community and other queer youth like himself.