Meet
the
Board
Margaret Ila Christian
President
She/Her
Originally from Tuscaloosa, Margaret Ila Christian serves as an ally for the LGBTQ+ community and has a passion for creating opportunities for others. Margaret Ila works professionally as the Intern Pathways Program Manager at Lockheed Martin, where she is a NOVA Award winner. She also leads her local Delta Zeta sorority alumnae chapter as president, as social media director for the Mystic Krewe of the Druids, and she sits on the Board of Visitors for The Capstone's office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education. "MIC" was selected as one of Tuscaloosa’s 40 under Forty Business Professionals by The Tuscaloosa News in 2020. A three-time graduate of The University of Alabama, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Jelly Bean.
Huey Rudder (Saaphyr Flayme)
Vice-President
They/Them & He/Him (They/Them & She/Her )
Huey is originally from outside of Montgomery, He currently works as the graphic designer for the City of Tuscaloosa. He loves anything creative and is an amateur printmaker, making relief and monoprints in his spare time. He believes strongly in fostering community and advocating for equality and equity. Huey joined the Mystic Krewe of the Druids in 2018 and has served on the board to help raise funding for Five Horizons Health Services (formerly West Alabama AIDS Outreach). He is also a proud plant daddy to a jungle of house plants.
Saaphyr has been around (in some form or fashion) since 2008. She was named by Bambi Kira, her Drag-Nana. She’s the Mistress of Bingo, and loves to interact with the community. She loves to swear, but only in the appropriate places.
Davis "DJ" Jackson
Treasurer
He/Him
DJ Jackson grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He works professionally as the Associate Director for Enrollment Management at The University of Alabama. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in American History, Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, and a Masters of Business Administration from UA. He is currently an active member of Capstone Alliance, UA’s LBGTQ+ faculty, staff, and graduate student association and a founding member of The University of Alabama LGBTQ Alumni Association Chapter.
Ed White
Secretary
He/Him
Ed Taylor-White is the Hospitality and Tourism Instructor at the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy. He has a passion for hospitality, event planning, and fundraising. He has been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community of West Alabama through various organizations since graduating from The University of Alabama in 2010 with a Bachelors in Human Nutrition.
Marti Ball
She/Her
Marti Ball was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She currently works at the Tuscaloosa Public Library as Director of Outreach Services and enjoys sharing important resources and a love of reading with the Tuscaloosa community. Marti cheers on the Tide in every sport and loves spending her weekends playing softball or kickball and spending time with her kid and her dog.
Caleb Tucker
He/Him
Caleb Tucker grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He currently is a Student Housing Property Manager with two properties in the downtown area. He is a proud plant parent and dad to two dogs and a cat.
Derrick Steverson
He/Him
Derrick has been with Five Horizons Health Services (FHHS) since 2019. He began his tenure with the agency as the Assistant Director of Community Engagement but has since been promoted to the Director of Community Partnerships. In these roles, Derrick has formed strong relationships between FHHS and the community by implementing strategies that mobilize local citizens to advocate and volunteer in HIV/STD prevention and education efforts. Derrick’s goal is to bridge the socioeconomic gap in underserved communities by facilitating active participation from priority populations while addressing the social determinants of health that affect them. Derrick is well-equipped to successfully build sustainable relationships with underserved populations that will leave a lasting impact on these communities.
Nate Sturm
He/Him
Nate is originally from Lakewood, Colorado but moved to Tuscaloosa in 2012, where he went on to acquire his B.S. in Environmental Science and M.S. in Aquatic Biology from The University of Alabama. He now works as an aquatic biologist for the state, conducting research on the remarkable biodiversity found in the waters of Alabama. As a former graduate student, Nate also serves as the Liaison to Graduate Students for Capstone Alliance, UA’s LGBTQ+ faculty, staff, and graduate student association. He is passionate about protecting and celebrating both the natural environment of Alabama and its vibrant LGBTQ+ community through advocacy, education, and hard work.
Barry Hunter
He/Him
Barry Hunter a native Tuscaloosa resident who attended Central High School. He currently is a Department Supervisor at Phifer Wire Inc. Barry’s goal is to help build an LGBTQ+ community in which all members feel welcome.