Our Team

About Sarah:

Sarah relocated to Charlotte after spending 15 years in Brooklyn, New York. She received her MSW from New York University and has spent her career working at the intersection of LGBTQ community and youth. Prior to coming to Time Out Youth, Sarah worked at A Way Home America, a national initiative focused on ending homelessness for LGBTQ youth and youth of color, and at The LGBT Community Center in New York.

At Time Out Youth:

As Chief Executive Officer, Sarah helps the team bring their visions for creating safe space for LGBTQ youth to life. As a social worker, she’s spent her career working with LGBTQ youth, fighting for access to safe housing, supportive families, and their right to exist fully as they are. She is passionate about this work and wants to use any opportunity she has to remove obstacles for our vibrant queer and trans youth.

When she’s not working:

You can usually find Sarah reading a book, doing yoga, or hiking a trail with her dog, Coconut.

Fun Fact:

Sarah is a first generation Egyptian-American!

From the Charlotte Observer:

‘I feel lucky.’ Q&A with new director of Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ youth center BY DEVNA BOSE JULY 14, 2021 12:30 PM

Sarah Mikhail, Time Out Youth’s new executive director, might be relatively new to Charlotte — but she’s long been fighting for the organization’s cause. Time Out Youth is a Charlotte-based organization that provides support services to LGBTQ+ youth. It’s a natural fit for Mikhail, she said, since she’s loved working with young people since the beginning of her career. Though she started out as a fashion merchandising major in college, she quickly realized her passion for social work. “I became completely enamored with the profession and the versatility of it,” she said of her ability as a social worker to help children in various capacities.

“It was really evident to me working with these kids that I was connecting with that they were born into a life circumstance that was not their fault, but it was certainly their problem.” It made her consider her own childhood, and the privilege she had grown up with, even with parents who were Egyptian immigrants to the United States. “It was clear to me that the systems that made it easy for me to have access to things, were making it difficult for them to have access to anything,” she said. She worked in foster care in New York right after graduation and lived in Brooklyn before moving to Charlotte.

Mikhail and her partner visited the Queen City during the pandemic and “fell in love” with it. They decided to make the move permanent in September. One of the things Mikhail is most excited about is working with young people again in her new role. “I want to be able to hear them out,” she said. “They know what they need more than I do. I want them to tell us that we either have something to offer them or we’re willing to hear what they need and help them get it.” The Charlotte Observer interviewed Mikhail this week to find out more about her vision for Time Out Youth.

What inspired your passion in this kind of work? “I am a social worker, and I spent the last 15 years doing social work in Brooklyn, New York. I’ve been primarily in the child welfare space and in the LGBTQ space, and then intersections of those things throughout my career. My most recent role is doing national work in ending youth homelessness.”

Mikhail had been considering volunteering at Time Out Youth when she heard about the executive director position. She spent a couple of months interviewing with different members of the organization’s team before being offered the gig. “Working at the intersection of the LGBTQ community and young people is just my perfect idea of a role. Being a queer person and knowing that so many of the young people that we serve are people of color is super amazing to me. “I feel lucky to do work in a community that I care about and one that is also mine.”

What is Time Out Youth? Time Out Youth was first founded as a support group when Charlottean Tonda Taylor realized no support groups existed for LGBTQ youth in Charlotte. Taylor, who realized she was gay during her childhood, had left Charlotte for a “more tolerant climate,” Time Out Youth’s website says. She returned 20 years later — her brother was dying from leukemia and later contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion. Her father also somehow became infected with the disease and took his life to spare his family the “burden of his illness,” according to Time Out Youth’s site recounting the organization’s history. Taylor’s brother Sam died seven months later.

At the time, AIDS was viewed as a “gay” disease and carried much stigma. Soon after the deaths of her father and brother, a friend approached Taylor to help a teenager who was struggling with her sexual orientation. The first Time Out Youth support group met on April 8, 1991. Mikhail says: “It’s an amazing organization that just celebrated its 30th-year anniversary this year. That support group turned into an organization that now offers therapy, support groups and case management like emergency housing assistance and financial assistance. You can come to the center and do your laundry, you can get a meal. So I’m really excited to join an organization that provides so much. “Though it’s a small, tight-knit group of people that provide all of this, their impact is wide. It’s been so heartening to get to know them and learn about their goals and ideas for how much more is possible for them.”

What’s your vision for Time Out Youth? “A key part of my leadership style is collaboration and having youth lead the work. A lot of the work I’ve done has been really well-informed by young people but not particularly youth-led, so I have an interest there. I want us to continue to grow, I want to build a bigger team that can keep doing what they’re already doing that really, really works, and give them space to build out things that they know young people need.” “How do we build partnerships, how do we build programming that young people that are coming to Time Out say they need, and more importantly, why aren’t young people coming? What do we need to offer them that we don’t have? So, for me, it’s about growth and expansion — not in terms of quantity, but intention to build what young people need.” “I told the team I’m going to spend a good six months listening to people.”

What do young LGBTQ+ Charlotteans need? “Definitely housing. It’s something that Time Out Youth has done. We currently have only one housing specialist who is connected to some shelters and we have a host home program, but it’s certainly not enough. Figuring out where partnerships in the housing space are will be really, really meaningful.” LGBTQ youth represent about 40% of the homeless youth population. Of that population, studies indicate that as many as 60% are at risk of suicide, research says. “Our LGBTQ young people, particularly Black and brown young people, are coming to Time Out for services. But they are not even able to access some of the mental health support because their basic needs aren’t being met. So how do we ensure that those young people are both able to access services for their mental health or physical health, and also get that case management and housing support?”

What do you want local LGBTQ+ youth to know about you and Time Out Youth? “I really love to lead with the concept of intersectionality. I am a queer and brown person and believe that it is my honor and my duty to lift up the voices of young people that either share my identity or that I’m an ally to. All queer brown people are not a monolith, so I cannot speak for young people that are coming in that are Black, that are transgender, that have any identities that are within my community but I don’t share them. So how do I be a voice, and lift them up? “I believe that my job isn’t to speak for you but to give you a seat at the table so that you can speak for yourself.”

Link to full story here.

Visit Sarah’s LinkedIn profile here.

About Shaq:

Shaq is a native of Toronto, Ontario. She received her Master of Social Work from Johnson C. Smith University. Shaq was a member of the 2010 CIAA Women’s basketball championship team and of the Phi Alpha Social Work national honor society at Johnson C. Smith.

At Time Out Youth:

As Chief Program Officer, Shaq is responsible for the oversight and management of Time Out Youth’s housing, supportive services, clinical services, and programming team. Through strategic visioning and planning, she believes that placing the power in the hands of young people will increase social and economic independence. She finds value in building innovative community partnerships that drive the Center’s mission and creating partnerships with young people as they take the lead in identifying the support and services, they need to be successful.

When she’s not working:

Shaq spends a lot of time reconnecting with herself, reading books, and watching basketball.

Fun Fact:

Shaq has an identical twin!

Visit Shaq’s LinkedIn profile here.

About David:

David has worked to raise over $30m in critical funds to support non-profits across several sectors since 2006. A resident of Charlotte since 2015, David has worked in Director of Development positions for both the Ada Jenkins Center and Sustain Charlotte. David previously lived in Boston, MA where he served as Operations Administrator for Boston Baroque, and as Development Manager for MassEquality and Mainers United for Marriage. David attended Berklee College of Music, majoring in Music Business & Management.

At Time Out Youth:

As Chief Operating Officer, David oversees the Center’s operations, financial sustainability, community engagement, and advancement strategy. He brings over two decades of experience working at the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and human services, with a deep commitment to racial justice and anti-racist practice woven throughout his leadership. David believes that equity must be embedded in how organizations are funded, governed, and operated, and works to ensure Time Out Youth’s systems, partnerships, and advocacy efforts reflect that commitment. He is guided by the Center’s vision of inspiring inclusive communities where all youth are equally empowered to reach their full potential.

When he’s not working:

You can usually find David listening to live music, learning about wine, and living a very fulfilled life with his husband, Chris, and their wonderful son.

Fun Fact:

David is a classically trained vocalist and pianist and has performed in Carnegie Hall, the Mozarteum, and various other concert venues around the world!

Visit David’s LinkedIn profile here.

About Lily:

Lily received a master’s degree in social work from Winthrop University in 2022 and is an LCSW.

At Time Out Youth:

Lily is a therapist at Time Out Youth and offers clinical services to youth and young adults, ages 13-24. With a client-centered approach, Lily believes in meeting individuals where they are on their mental health journey, providing a safe and nonjudgmental space for growth and healing. Lily utilizes a blend of evidence-based practices that meets each client’s unique needs to promote emotional well-being.

Throughout her career, Lily has gained experience in various clinical settings, including outpatient care, intensive in-home treatment, women’s shelter services, and family-centered treatment. Understanding the unique experiences and systematic barriers that LGBTQ+ youth often face, Lily is committed to creating a supportive space where they can explore their identities, navigate challenges, and build resilience in the face of adversity.

When she’s not working:

You can usually find her spending time with her two dogs, playing guitar, or painting!

Fun fact:

Lily has learned over 5 instruments!

Visit Lily’s LinkedIn profile here.

About Ayanna:

Ayanna is originally from Columbus, OH where she graduated with degrees in both Early Childhood Development and Health Science. While in Ohio she worked with many Non Profit Organizations such as Neighborhood Services Food Pantry, Stonewall Columbus, Equality Ohio, MidOhio Food bank, Local Matters, and The Youth Yoga Project. She moved through the country working with AmeriCorps through the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps in Colorado and Green Peace in Oregon. In the Spring of 2023 she moved to Charlotte, NC where she cofounded the Queer Conscious Collective and joined the team at Time Out Youth.

At Time Out Youth:

As Intake Specialist, Ayanna greets each and every client, donor, and guest with warm and welcoming energy. She guides new clients through the intake process, ensuring their information is updated and providing them with a tour of our facilities. Ayanna also answers calls and connects clients to the departments and resources they need to thrive. In addition, she supports the operations and finance manager in managing our vibrant volunteer program, coordinating schedules, and hosting appreciation events. With a focus on day-to-day operations, Ayanna monitors facilities and tracks inventory, all while embodying the center’s commitment to community service.

When she’s not working:

You can find Ayanna, doing yoga, leading reiki and sound healing, mixing up a tincture, gardening, crocheting, paddle boarding at Latta Park, roller skating around town, singing with the One Chorus Choir, or enjoying good company at a local vendor market.

Fun fact:

Ayanna has travelled to every state in the US except Alaska as well as 13 different countries.

About Durell:

Born and raised in a small town in Virginia, Durell moved to Charlotte, NC in 2013 to pursue a bigger and better and more freer life for himself. With 10 years in NC, he’s met so many incredible people from the banking industry, fashion world and housing communities. He believe his purpose is helping others live better lives and to feel better about themselves.

At Time Out Youth:

Durell helps young people in obtaining and sustaining permanent housing. We all need help when times get hard. Durell’s hope is to be some light and comfort for those seeking shelter and other services for basic everyday living.

When he’s not working:

You can usually find Durell napping on the couch or out of town with friends!

Fun fact:

Durell used to suck his pointer finger until he was 11 years old!

About Basia:

Basia is a native of Buffalo, NY and was raised in Charlotte, NC. She graduated from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy and Religion. After graduating she moved to Atlanta and began a career in Property Management. Basia has always been passionate about true community involvement and has worked and volunteered within various organizations and shelters. After 5 years in Atlanta, Basia relocated to the Mile High City (Denver, CO) and was able to deepen her love for emotional wellness within her community.

She has immense gratitude for serving with ACLU Colorado, MSU Denver, Progressive Promotions and was invited to share as a guest speaker/poet an original poem for Womxn’s March Denver in 2021. Basia is honored to have served compassionate communities in Buffalo, Charlotte, Atlanta and Denver that protect our black and brown people, our LGBTQIA youth and those who have experienced being unhoused. Basia is an activist that will forever service and create safe spaces for black and brown queer folk to be seen, heard and celebrated.

At Time Out Youth:

As a Housing Navigator, Basia warmly welcomes young people to the center who are seeking housing, our supportive services and a listening ear. She is deliberate about assisting our young people with abundant resources and empowering them to be self sufficient. They believe we all deserve supportive help along the journey and it’s vital that we are gently reminded of our capacity to be great and to help others along the way.

When she’s not working:

Basia enjoys spending time and being grounded in Mother Nature. She fills her cup by writing, meditating, reading and moving her body. Basia is a musician and plays the guitar and djembe. You’ll find Basia enjoying lattes at a coffee shop, making memories with her partner and family, adventuring in new cities/countries or resting in a hammock.

Fun Fact:

Basia is the winner of Miss RayeDiant Jewels Pageant hosted by Lisa Raye McCoy. She won amazing prizes including a trip to Turks and Caicos Island by playing the drums.

About Dej’a:

Dej’a is a current JCSU graduate student studying to get her Masters in Social Work. 

At Time Out Youth:

At Time Out Youth, she is the Programs Assistant working to assist our youth in becoming their best selves through providing safe spaces, connection, guidance and confidence building.

When she’s not working:

She loves to unwind and relax by reading a good book or getting her body moving with some pole fitness!

Fun Fact:

Dej’a is a Mixologist!

Jorge is a native of Miami, FL, where he earned his Bachelors in Business Administration and Accounting from Florida International University. The son of Cuban-born parents, he is fluent in both English and Spanish and proudly embraces his bicultural upbringing and experiences. A huge proponent of affordable housing and helping others in achieving such an important goal, most of his career has been centered with working for organizations, both in the for-profit as well as the non-profit sectors, that have endlessly supported this very important cause. A resident of Charlotte, NC since 2018, Jorge lives with his long-time partner and husband, John, experiencing life’s wonderful journey together since 1995. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and tending to never-ending landscaping projects while at home.

About Elissa:

Originally from Gastonia, Elissa is a graduate of UNC Charlotte, where she got her start as a reporter for the campus paper. While there, she worked with many Charlotte-area nonprofits, including Safe Alliance, The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, and the Girl Scouts. She’s since traveled all up and down the east coast, including serving EqualityMaine as an AmeriCorps member working with programming for LGBTQ+ elders and as a counselor at their summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth. She also spent 2.5 years as a coordinator and trainer for Main Street Operations at Magic Kingdom. Elissa is thrilled to be back working with the LGBTQ+ community in the city she considers home. 

At Time Out Youth:

As Communications Manager, Elissa’s goal is to tell the story of Time Out Youth in creative and interesting ways! She is responsible for representing the Center at community events, in the media, and through its online presence. She shares the amazing work the Center is doing with our community so everyone can get involved. 

When she’s not working:

Elissa can be found enjoying the Charlotte theater scene, trying new restaurants and recipes, and hosting her book club.

Fun Fact:

Elissa enjoys and regularly attends sci-fi conventions, especially Dragon Con in Atlanta, GA. 

Visit Elissa’s LinkedIn profile here.

About Greg:

Greg has worked as a fundraiser for almost 10 years, raising support mostly for local organizations, like Florence Crittenton Services, Playing for Others, and the Freedom Center for Social Justice. Greg is originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut, but was raised in Charlotte, NC. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in both Communications and Political Science. 

At Time Out Youth:

As Donor Relations Manager, Greg oversees the cultivation and stewardship of all donors, no matter the gift! When it comes to individual fundraising, Greg believes deeply in connecting with like-minded individuals to bring about life-changing services to the teens and young adults Time Out Youth serves. Greg’s goal is to connect donors with the Time Out Youth programs and services that resonate the most with them, allowing them to see their impact in the way they intended. 

When he’s not working:

Greg is really into all things pop culture: music, television, film, literature, and is a drummer himself! 

Fun fact:

Greg’s role model is his mother, to whom he contributes with instilling the values he shares with Time Out Youth in him! 

About Haeley:

Haeley received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte in 2018. Since then, she has worked to support students, educators, and other youth-serving professionals in the Charlotte region with a focus on cultivating inclusive systems for LGBTQ+ youth.

At Time Out Youth:

As the Senior Director of Strategic Engagement at Time Out Youth, Haeley fosters meaningful connection and nurtures partnerships with individual supporters and community agencies. She also helps support community spaces in supporting and uplifting LGBTQ+ people in their workplaces and beyond with an emphasis on celebrating LGBTQ+ youth. She has worked with Time Out Youth for over seven years and has found immense appreciation for and value in cultivating educational and strategic partnership opportunities and space for deeper interconnectedness in this work.

When she’s not working:

You can usually find Haeley on the couch with her wife, Jessi, and their dog, Mateo.

Fun Fact:

Haeley loves any reason to celebrate! She’s passionate about spreading all the joy around holidays, birthdays, successes of people, and even all the unofficial national days like National Popcorn Day in January or National Coloring Day in September.

About Pamela:

Pamela is a native of Massachusetts, where she received her Masters in Counseling. Pamela moved to Charlotte in 2017. She began her time at Time Out Youth as a volunteer!

At Time Out Youth:

Pamela helps organize our programmatic offerings and calendar to provide interesting and engaging opportunities for our young people. She started at Time Out Youth as a volunteer and knew that she really wanted to be a part of this space.  She finds immense power in allowing young people to be themselves and giving them space to grow.

Outside of work:

Pamela loves to travel with her wife and hanging out with her dog.

Fun Fact:

She is obsessed with musical theatre!

About Cierra:

Cierra was born and raised in Richmond, Va. She found her way to Charlotte to obtain her Bachelors in Business Accounting at Johnson C. Smith University where she completed her Master of Social Work.

At Time Out Youth:

Cierra is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities that keep Time Out Youth running smoothly. This includes managing logistics for events, coordinating volunteer efforts, and ensuring efficient communication between different departments within the organization. Beyond the administrative realm, Cierra is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights. She enjoys working closely with the executive team to implement strategic initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ community specifically. Time Out Youth’s mission and vision align with Cierra’s short term and long term goals as a social worker in how we can make macro, mezzo, and micro change. 

When she’s not working:

You can usually find Cierra on the tennis courts perfecting her craft, trying out a new local restaurant in the Queen City, or laying in bed binge watching the same show for the fifth time.

Fun Fact:

Cierra loves to travel and go to different concerts/festivals.

Visit Cierra’s LinkedIn profile here.

About Kailey:

Kailey was born and raised in Charlotte, NC and recently obtained her Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Social Work from UNC Charlotte. Kailey has spent most of her life volunteering within various communities but has a passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community.

At Time Out Youth:

As Development Operations Manager, Kailey helps create fundraising campaigns, cultivate partnerships, manage donors, and coordinate events to bring in resources for the center’s programs and services. Outside of this role, they strive to move through the Center with empathy and compassion for the youth.

When they’re not working:

You can usually find Kailey painting, attending a concert, or hanging out with her three cats.

Fun Fact:

Kailey did competitive dance from age 2-18!

About Danielle:

Danielle is an LCSW, having received a master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University in 2011.

At Time Out Youth:

Danielle oversees Time Out Youth’s Clinical and Programming departments, ensuring the Center is always providing the most needed and impactful services to the clients we serve. Additionally, she provides individual, family, and group therapy to youth and young adults, ages 13-24. For those looking to learn more about providing clinical services to the LGBTQ+ community, she offers trainings and consultations.

Danielle has worked in many different settings including foster care, residential treatment, and the school system. In these settings, she watched LGBTQ+ clients experience barriers to accessing support that their cisgender and heterosexual peers did not. Because of that, she works ardently to break down these barriers and make counseling and case management accessible to all in the LGBTQ+ community.

When she’s not working:

You can usually find her traveling to new places or binge-watching reality tv.

Fun Fact:

She used to work with and study elephants!

Visit Danielle’s LinkedIn profile here.