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Comings & Goings
Tifphane Riley named deputy director at Wanda Alston Foundation
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: [email protected].
Congratulations to Dr. Tifphane Riley on being named deputy director of the Wanda Alston Foundation (WAF). Riley said, “The Wanda Alston Foundation is dear to my heart as it speaks to my life’s work. Empowering the voiceless and disenfranchised: Queer youth. As a Black Queer Masculine presenting woman, I know the value of a village that sees you, accepts you, and loves on you, when the world wants you discarded. It was important for me to be a part of an organization that genuinely cares for its youth and to have leadership that validates staff and youth in a way that work doesn’t feel so much like work. … The executive director, June Crenshaw, is a strong advocate, just like the late, great Wanda Alston was; unapologetically fighting for the needs of queer youth. It’s what I do as a trained clinical sexologist that has allowed me to help many LGBTQIA+2 spirit people. I am proud to be a social justice warrior.”
Prior to this, Riley was with Sasha Bruce, as Deputy Chief of Programs. She also was with GenPsych as clinical director.
Riley earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and African-American Studies, from Temple University; and a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality from Widener University.
Congratulations also to Larry Cohen, LICSW, who will be completing his 100th social anxiety therapy group at the end of January. Due to current public health concerns the workshop will be on Zoom and you must register in advance; it is free.
Cohen suggests if you are: Shy? Unassertive? Self-conscious? Embarrass easily? Public speaking fear? Performance anxiety? Avoid or don’t enjoy socializing? Avoid interacting with or being around strangers? Difficulty meeting people or forming relationships? Uncomfortable speaking in groups? Shy bladder? Sexual anxiety? Think of yourself as fundamentally different, not fitting in, not good enough? You should consider registering for the workshop.
Visit the Social Anxiety page on Larry’s website at socialanxietyhelp.com for more information.
WorldPride 2025 concluded with the WorldPride Street Festival and Closing Concert held along Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. on Sunday, June 8. Performers on the main stage included Doechii, Khalid, Courtney Act, Parker Matthews, 2AM Ricky, Suzie Toot, MkX and Brooke Eden.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Celebrating the transgender community, Baltimore Safe Haven, an organization committed to empowering LGBTQ individuals in Baltimore City, plans to host their fourth annual Baltimore Trans Pride on Saturday.
Instead of the usual parade and march, this year’s Trans Pride will be a block party on Charles Street and between 21st and 22nd Streets. The event will start at 1 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and last until 10 p.m.
Community members can go on guided tours, enjoy refreshments by local vendors, listen to presenters, and watch performances by special guests.
Sukihana, the event’s headliner, plans to take to the stage to entertain the crowd, along with a variety of local performers, according to Melissa Deveraux, Baltimore Safe Haven’s executive assistant to Executive Director Iya Dammons.
“Some (are) prominently known, some (are) just making a name for themselves,” Deveraux said. Iya is always making sure that community talent is showcased at all of our functions.”
In company with Pride on Saturday, Baltimore Safe Haven will be opening its new building on Friday from 1-4 p.m.
“That is sort of going to be the prelude to pride,” Lau said. “Thanks to Sen. Mary Washington and the Weinberg Foundation, we were able to purchase the building outright, and it’s going to be a community hub of administrative buildings and 12-bedroom apartments.”
Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said the planning process for Baltimore Trans Pride began in January, and putting it all together was a collaboration of multiple city agencies and organizations.
“Safe Haven is an LGBT community organization, but we service the entire community, and that’s the message we try to spread,” Lau said. “We’re not just here for the LGBT community. We’re here to spread goodwill and offer harm reduction and housing to the entire community.”
Lau said the organization’s biggest goal for the event is to gain exposure.
“(We want) to let and let people know who we are and what our community is about,” she said. “Right now, because of what’s happening in DC, there’s a lot of bad untruths going on, and the total thing is bringing out the truth.”
Deveraux said having a place of inclusivity, acceptance, and togetherness is important in today’s political climate and the current administration.
“This event will have people seeing the strength and resilience of the transgender community, showing that no matter what we are going through, we still show up,” Deveraux said. “We are here, we will not be erased.”
The 2025 WorldPride Parade was held in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 7. Laverne Cox and Renée Rapp were the grand marshals.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key and Robert Rapanut)
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