About Us
Sweet Evening Breeze was founded to address the over-representation of LGBTQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness in Louisville which mirrors national data and the lack of affirming services to address the additional risk they face while on the streets compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.
Our Inspiration
James Herdon was born in Scott County, KY in 1892. At a young age, They moved to Lexington where they grew up at the Good Samaritan Hospital and eventually became head orderly.
Locally known as Sweet Evening Breeze or "Sweets", they were recognized for their gender non conforming style, often wearing makeup, scarves, jewelry and at times, dressing in full drag. As the movement for LGBTQ+ equality began in Lexington, Sweets was instrumental in helping to overturn Lexington’s cross-dressing ordinance.
Despite being a gender non-conforming Black person in the Jim Crow era, Sweet Evening Breeze was well liked in the community and was known for random acts of kindness such as baking cakes or giving shoes to poor families.
It was their hospitality and compassion for others, that helped inspire our purpose and vision to offer houseless LGBTQ+ young adults with affirming services.
Our Staff
Glenn Martin, M.Ed.
Executive Director
Glenn has nearly 30 years’ experience in Senior Organizational Management with a focused specialization in both nonprofit and youth population services. He has held student life leadership positions at different colleges and universities, including Case Western Reserve University, Lehigh University, and the Director of Student Services at Arcadia University. He served as COO at the prestigious International House in Philadelphia.
More recently, Martin acted as Program Director for the Louisville Job Corps, where he recruited 18 – 24-year-olds for the program. His impressive career is that of a visionary and driving force behind program development, community collaboration and partnerships, and board engagement.
Glenn has an undergraduate degree in Broadcasting; and a master’s degree in education - Adult Learning and Development. He is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Stuart Gerard Walker
Program Manager
Stuart Walker is a trans man born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He has worked for several non-profits in the Louisville area and has a passion for working with the LGBTQ+ community.
His goal is to create a comfortable environment for LGBTQ+ clients and to provide direct services and programs that are easily accessible to youth experiencing homelessness in the city.
Board Members
Ali Gautier
Current Board Chair
Ali Gautier is an activist, comedian, and performing artist originally from Danville, KY, currently living in Louisville. She is the Communications & Development Manager for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, and director & producer of the documentary short, "After the Flood." She is a Black Queer artist working to preserve, amplify, and care for the stories of her diverse community.
Nora Inman
Nora is a dedicated Policy Analyst for a local nonprofit, tracking federal, state, and local legislation impacting children and young adults. With a background in grant writing, advocacy, and research, she has held roles as a Grant Writer, an Advocacy Intern for the ACLU of Kentucky, and a Research Assistant for the Human Trafficking Research Initiative at the University of Louisville. She believes that data tells a story and is passionate about reducing the disproportional rate of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. When she is not yelling at her laptop during the legislative session, she enjoys reading, watching horror movies, and spending time with her husband and their two big orange cats.
Ghazel Tellawi
Ghazel is a queer, Syrian immigrant woman from a Muslim background, living in Louisville, KY. She is currently working as a licensed psychologist in MN and WI. Her passions are in working with LGBTQ+ individuals and POC aged 12 and older. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her wife and 2 cats, as well as playing and watching soccer.
Erin Riedel, LCSW
Erin is a licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years of experience who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ young adults. Prior to opening her private practice, Vivaria Counseling, she worked for a number of Louisville organizations that serve adults living with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. She believes that housing is a human right and has seen first-hand how safe, stable housing can radically change people’s lives. She is a lifelong Kentuckian and a three-time graduate of the University of Louisville.