About Us – The Normal Anomaly Initiative, Inc.

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 is Houston’s premiere Black LGBTQ+ organization, fully emerging in 2018 into a nonprofit incubator at The Montrose Center in Houston, Texas. Starting as a grassroots movement in 2016 focusing on digital storytelling, The Normal Anomaly has understood the need to express our narratives honestly and innovatively while changing our stories to collective resourcing and community empowerment. Before receiving our nonprofit status, we had the privilege of our work being featured on Amazon Prime Video and working with social media departments at the United States Conference on AIDS and Logo/NewNowNext. Since receiving our nonprofit status, we have impacted the lives of thousands of people through direct services, capacity building, research, technical assistance, and advocacy programs.

In this, we have the honor of being the first Black LGBTQ+ organization to be Houston’s Pride Honorary Grand Marshal and the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit Member of the Year while also being featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show in which we received a GLAAD Media Award for our appearance and in Lil Nas X’s ‘Baby Registry.’ Because of our historical connection to media and our current place in changing the lives and experiences of our community, we merge these two worlds for maximum impact and narrative change.

Meet The Team

Ian L. Haddock, Founder and Executive Director

Ian L. Haddock (he/they/any pronouns used respectfully) serves as the Founder and Executive Director of The Normal Anomaly Initiative. Ian has previously worked in local, county, regional, and national organizations to seek the forward mobility of Queer People of Color. Haddock is a contributing columnist for Outsmart Magazine and has written for The Grio, Logo/NewNowNext, Houston Chronicle, and The Statesman. Haddock has appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show and is a GLAAD Media Award Recipient along with being a Legend Award Honoree at the Legends Ball. Haddock has been awarded Living Legend by Houston Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Black History Maker by United Black Ellument at The Resource Center Dallas, Trailblazer of the Year by the African American State of Emergency Task Force, Emerging Leader of the Year from the National African American Gay Leadership Conference (NAESM), Hometown Hero Award from the Carolyn Taylor Lee Foundation, 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst from the Boston Congress of Public Health publisher of HPHR Journal, and the Bayard Rustin Civil Rights Award from the Houston LGBT Political Caucus. He served as the inaugural Male Identifying Grand Marshal for New Faces of Pride 2024.

Jordan J. Edwards, Deputy Director

Jordan J Edwards (He/Him/His) is the Deputy 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.

Joelle Espeut, Program Director

Joelle Bayaa-Uzuri Espeut (she/her/hers) currently serves as the Advocacy Director for The Normal Anomaly Initiative, Inc. Working in advocacy for the last three years, Joelle also serves on the board on The Houston LGBTQ Political Caucus as well as The Mahogany Project, Inc. She also serves on the newly formed Trans Women of Color Anti-Violence Task Force for the American Psychological Association, and the Community Advisory Council for Southern AIDS Coalition. Joelle has written for Spectrum South, the Trans Griot, and Q26. She was awarded The Rising Star Phoenix Award from The Mahogany Project, Inc.

Shelley Washington, Service Director

Rochelle "Shelley" Washington currently serves as the Service Director for The Normal Anomaly Initiative. Shelley is an advocate for community empowerment, transitioning from a 20-year career in education. Inspired by her involvement in The Normal Anomaly program, Project Liberate Cohort 3, she founded Be Owt Ministries, a nonprofit focused on financial literacy and resource allocation for underserved communities. Shelley is an avid faith leader, who educates, equips, and encourages people to experience the Divine in their lives. Beyond her professional pursuits, Shelley finds solace in reading, music, and spending time with loved ones.

About The Initiative