Our Team
Keith Pollard
Keith Pollard (He/him) is an award winning activist and advocate who has spent the last decade working tirelessly to ensure the rights of LGBTQ individuals, especially LGBTQ youth. Keith has been an integral part of creating safe spaces and affirming resources for the Queer and Trans community.
In 2015, Keith became a dedicated volunteer with the Youth Working Group at the DC Center where he was able to start advocating for policy change and additional resources for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. Additionally, he went on to actively volunteer with organizations such as Empowerment Liberation Cathedral, Human Rights Campaign and Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders (SMYAL). In 2017 he was hired at the Wanda Alston Foundation, the first housing program in Washington DC solely dedicated to offering transitional housing to homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth, as the Operations Manager. He was able to use innovative ways to elevate the programming to better serve and support the youth. Upon leaving the Wanda Alston Foundation in 2019, Keith was able to assist in promoting a Black Trans woman into the leadership position of Operations Manager. Keith then went on to further his career in LGBTQ advocacy by becoming a Youth Housing Case Manager at SMYAL, an LGBTQ youth services organization that was established in 1984. While working at SMYAL, Keith was able to be a vital part of the opening of three additional housing programs for LGBTQ youth and young adults. Due to his dedication and his achievements he was promoted to the position of Deputy Director of Youth Housing. Keith has supported and advocated for dozens of queer youth throughout their housing journey and is most proud of assisting queer and trans youth ending homelessness for themselves. In 2020, Keith became a committee member of May Is? All about Trans a DC based non profit that seeks to highlight the lives and stories of Trans, Gender Non-Conforming and Non-Binary people. Keith is unapologetic and will continue to relentlessly fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community.
Keith has received certifications and trainings in HIV care and prevention, Sexual health, suicide awareness and prevention, trauma informed care, crisis intervention, substance use awareness and prevention, harm reduction, DEI and Leadership.