About Us – Normal Anomaly Initiative

Eliminating Barriers, Creating New Norms

Mission Statement

Centering Black, queer plus persons to overcome barriers, end stigma and problematic narratives to actualize a new normal.

Vision Statement

To see the forward mobility of Black, queer plus persons

Bold

We take a stand. And we mean it.

Inclusive

Nothing for us, without us.

Passionate

People first.

Innovative

Unapologetically thinking outside the box.

Excellent

In everything we do.

Committed

To the community, our mission, and our vision.

Our History

The Normal Anomaly Initiative began in 2016 in Houston as a blog to tell the stories of people at the margins. Throughout the span of 3 years, the Founder, Ian L. Haddock, had the organization working with Huffington Post, Unites States Conference on HIV/ AIDS (USCHA) and Prime Video. As the platform grew, the Founder had amassed a team of nontraditional activists that began to expand the trajectory in which the group was going.

At that point, they began to extensively focus on garnering training to develop the group into an organization in 2019. Through strategic planning, organizational infrastructure, and more theory-based curriculum such as healing justice, harm reduction and restorative justice trainings, they were able to become a fiscally sponsored organization focused on the digital storytelling of Black, queer plus persons.

In 2020, as the world shut down during COVID-19, the organization began to see that there were so many needs present in the communities in which they were amplifying the voice of. Unfortunately, little focus in their city was towards this community and something needed to be done. The group shifted its lens from telling the story of Black, queer plus persons to changing their story through advocacy, direct services and technical assistance.

Through this, the Positives Organizing, Wellness and Resilience (POWR) Project, Transgender Allyship Collective (TAC), Project Liberate and Black Queer Plus: Center for Liberation was birthed in 2021. Touching their population through learning cohorts, development initiatives, HIV Testing, employment linkage, transportation, a thrift story and more, The Normal Anomaly Initiative is “Eliminating Barriers and Creating New Norms”.

Meet The Team

Ian L. Haddock

Ian L. Haddock (he/they/ any pronouns used respectfully) serves as the Founder and Executive Director of The Normal Anomaly Initiative. Ian has been privileged to work in Communications with NASTAD, as President of Impulse Group Houston and as a Center for Disease Control HIV Ambassador. Haddock has written for The Grio, Logo/NewNowNext and The Statesman. With over 11 years both in front line and management experience in advocacy, nonprofits, and government, he brings a wealth of knowledge and innovation. Haddock has been awarded Trailblazer of the Year, Hometown Hero and National Emerging Leader of the Year. When Haddock is not fighting for the most marginalized, you’ll find him luxuriating with tequila, rose’ or on a fashion or travel conquest.

Joelle Espeut

Joelle Bayaa-Uzuri Espeut (she/her/hers), Director of Programming, oversees the ancillary programs of The Normal Anomaly Initiative, including P.O.W.R. (Positives Organizing Wellness and Resilience), T.A.C. (Transgender Ally Collective), and Project Liberate. Joelle’s social advocacy experience includes assisting with program planning and implementation as well as serving as Communications Manager for The Mahogany Project, Inc. since 2018. Aside from her work with the Mahogany Project, Joelle has worked with AIDS United, GLAAD, Gilead/Compass Initiative, and Emory University. She has also been awarded the Rising Star Phoenix Award in 2020. When Joelle is not fighting for liberation and social justice, you can catch her thrift shopping, blogging/writing, or being a plant mom.

Jordan J. Edwards

Jordan J Edwards is a Program Director at the BQ+ Center for Liberation of the Normal Anomaly Initiative. Jordan serves the Black, queer plus community by increasing opportunities for sustainable employment and linkage to care services for those living with HIV and those interested in PrEP. His first experience with HIV was when he watched a family member pass away of AIDS complications in early 2000, talked down a friend down from planning attempted suicide from receiving an HIV positive diagnosis, but the shift in his life changed once he got his HIV positive results in 2013. Jordan became a Heavy Hitter Pride ambassador in 2019, received an Emerging Leader award from AASOETF and Impulse Group Houston 2019. In 2021, he received the Phoenix Rising award from The Mahogany Project. He can be found in the Advocate, VoyageHouston, and Outsmart. Jordan spends most of his time being creative, gaming, in an animal shelter, and spending time with family and friends.

Brutas Dewayne

Brutas Dewayne (he/him/his) serves as a Program Manager at The Normal Anomaly Initiative. Brutas started in community as an entertainer in the art form of being a female illusionist. In 2014, Brutas got his spark in non-profit leadership when he teamed up with an organization called Msociety for a program called Drag University. Brutas is proud to still serve his community today. He’s also a well-known makeup artist for pageants locally and nationally. His determination and pride in his community continues to fuel his desire to leave a lasting impact on his community.

James Drake

James Drake (He/Him/any pronouns used respectfully) serves as the Lead Research Coordinator for The Normal Anomaly Initiative. Drake previously served as Program Coordinator for Big Buddy which is a non-profit organization for at-risk youth in Baton Rouge, LA. Drake also has also trained to be a life coach and has used those skills in his podcast, The J [email protected] Spot. The Podcast speaks on a wide variety of subjects dealing with relationships and mental health. Drake’s goal has always been to be a resource for his community so that they can live the life they deserve.

About The Initiative