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Let's Talk Race: Exploring the Black Queer Experience
The panelists include:
Tiffany Adams is a sociologist-turned-theologian, spiritual teacher, therapist, and energy healer. She lives in Columbia, SC with her wife, R.G. and their children, Andrew and Mackenzie; where they co-lead the spiritual community of The Way Worship Center, the oldest LGBTQ affirming congregation founded and led by a woman of color in the state of South Carolina. You can see and hear parts of her story in GLAAD's ("Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation") short documentary film entitled "GLAAD Presents: State of Change – South Carolina" that looks at the lives of LGBT people and allies living in the Southern state. A bi-vocational minister, Tiffany provides energy, sound, and talk therapy through her private practice, Adams Family Wellness in West Columbia and serves on the board of directors for The Nickelodeon Theatre in downtown Columbia.
M. Lamont Gleaton is a South Carolina native with extensive stage experience, having performed in various venues across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. He has worked with The South Carolina Ballet, served as a board member for the Columbia Repertory Dance Company and Workshop Theatre. Additionally, Lamont has lent his makeup artistry skills to several Vista Queen Pageants in collaboration with Trustus Theatre. He has graced the stages of institutions like the University of South Carolina (Columbia and Aiken campuses), Lander University, Columbia College, and Francis Marion University. His theatrical credits include roles in The Color Purple, The Wedding Singer, Kinky Boots, A Chorus Line, The Glass Menagerie, Harvey and Hairspray (all with Workshop Theatre), Blues for an Alabama Sky with Trustus Theatre.
Kristina-Lois Hampton is an associate therapist and coach whose work centers on anti-oppressive and liberatory practices. They work in supporting clients through identity exploration; gender journey experiences; and systemic and racial trauma. Kristina-Lois combines her interest of narrative work and schema therapy to support clients in developing a deeper sense of self through their values.
Darius J. Jones is a dedicated public health professional and community advocate based in Columbia, South Carolina. He currently serves as the Program Coordinator for HIV Counseling, Testing, and Linkage Services at the South Carolina Department of Public Health. In this role, Jones oversees the implementation of statewide HIV prevention strategies, ensuring that individuals receive timely testing, counseling, and linkage to care services.
Sadia Pollard is a Black queer southern farmer. They graduated with a horticultural degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2019. After working for the university farm and a small nonprofit farm in WNC, Sadia started Prosper Farm in 2021. Prosper Farm is focused on growing with deep intention, sustainability, and ancestral guidance. Originally renting land in Columbia, SC, the farm is taking a sabbatical to find permanent land to cultivate.
About the Moderator: Kei Grant
As a moderator, Kei has led thought-provoking discussions on a variety of topics, including media representation, gender studies, and visual arts. Their experience includes panels such as Time & Time Again: Exploring the Antique Blacks—A Rootworker’s Tarot (2023), Beyond the Straight and Narrow: LGBTQ+ Representation in Film and TV (2024), Queer Queries: Mental Health and Public Health Advocacy Panel (2024), and Read Freely Fest: Zine Panel (2025).
Beyond their work at Richland Library, Kei actively creates and distributes zines, experiments with collage, and supports fellow artists, musicians, and filmmakers. They are passionate about community-building through play, radical rest, and art.
