Jim attended Buena Vista University, interested in both Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Journalism and Television Production, and Computer Science. After graduating, Jim took a year off to explore photography and travelling before moving to DeKalb, IL where he attended Northern Illinois University and taught classes in Media Production while working on a Masters degree in Communication Studies.

In 1995, Jim moved to Chicago and began a career with Travel 2000, a travel specialty store where he served as a store manager and corporate trainer. In 1999, Jim turned down a promotion to become district manager when he learned of a career opportunity at Horizons Community Services. In March of 1999, Jim joined Horizons Community Services as Volunteer Coordinator and Information Technology (IT) Manager. Over the years, Jim assisted in several transformative initiatives for the organization, actively engaged in the growth of a small, grass roots social service agency into Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ Community Center.

Over his tenure, Jim has served in a variety of progressive capacities and now serves as Chief Technology and Operations Officer, responsible for technology and building operations including infrastructure, security, reception, and operations staff at multiple sites.

Luke Romesberg has been with Center on Halsted since November on 2021. He holds a MA in Counseling and is a PhD Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision. Additionally, he is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor. Luke has over 10 years of experience working with diverse communities throughout the Chicagoland area, ranging from youth to adults, in individual and group environments, and throughout schools, hospitals, and social services agencies. Luke is also a published author and regularly engages in speaking on panels, conference presentations, and media requests.

Brittany Terry has a hand in building all diversity, equity, and inclusion programming offered by Center. This includes staff trainings, culture building, and community outreach. Brittany is intentional about making sure our actions ladder up to Center’s mission, values and racial equity statements.

Originally from New York, Brittany began her Chicago journey at Loyola University Chicago for graduate school, where she studied sociology. Throughout her time at Loyola, she began to create a sense of community in Chicago and post-graduation, decided to stay for the long haul. It was in Chicago where Brittany gained experience in working for Illinois’ Department of Juvenile Justice, Northrop Grumman (a government contractor for the military), and FCB Global (an international advertising agency).

Brittany and her partner recently purchased a home in the Bronzeville neighborhood of the city. She most enjoys cooking, traveling, shopping, working out, and upcycling furniture.

Jenny Urban is an award-winning chef, culinary arts instructor and business owner. Most recently they served as the nutrition and health manager at the Broadway Youth Center. Their prior work experience includes being the head chef Instructor for the Chicago Food Depository and executive chef instructor at Inspiration Corporation/Café Too.

Jenny’s passion for teaching culinary arts has focused on social service settings working with refugees, individuals that are homeless and underemployed, senior citizens, youth, and the LGBTQ community as a whole.

In 2008, they opened the Urban Café, which was awarded “Best Neighborhood Spot in Lakeview” by The Chicago Free Press.

Jenny has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, Windy City Times, Time Out Chicago, PBS Newshour, and the book A Recipe for Hope, by Karen Skalitzky. Urban has been named one of “30 under 30” by Windy City Times and “30 Women to Watch Under 30” by The Chicago Sun-Times.

When not in the kitchen, or with their two teenagers, Jenny can be found playing drums with local LGBTQ hall of fame musician, Scott Free. The group’s release, “The Pink Album,” was awarded the Album of the Year by Pride in the Arts Organization. Songs from the Pink Album went to #2 on the video click list on LOGO tv. Free and Urban have performed at pride events across the country, including Chicago Midsommarfest, Chicago Market Days, The Mathew Shepard March, Milwaukee Pride Fest, and Northern Michigan Pride.

Brenna Quinn, “B. Quinn,” is a Chicago-based artist, writer, educator, and development specialist. Quinn earned her double BA in Visual Arts Management and Studio Arts from Chatham College for Women and later her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

During her graduate studies, she began working in SAIC's Office for Institutional Advancement, supporting the Corporate, Foundation, Government, and Civic relations team. Quinn later took on the role of Assistant Director of Foundation and Government Grants at the Art Institute of Chicago. From 2018-2020 she was the Manager of Development at the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College.

Then, she was appointed as a Fulbright Independent Scholar, eventually completing her residency in the spring of 2021 at MQ21 in Vienna, Austria. Concurrently, before joining Center on Halsted, she worked as an independent grant writer and advancement consultant—collaborating with non-profit clients to support various direct-social service and cultural missions.

Erica Gafford joined the HIV Services staff at Center on Halsted in 2013. She has been working in the arena of HIV/STI prevention in Chicago for over 15 years, holding a variety of roles. These roles cover a wide range, including Health Educator/HIV tester, program administrator, research study coordinator and activist. In her current role as Director of HIV/STD Testing & Prevention Services, she is responsible for the oversight of HIV/HCV testing, PrEP Navigation and Linkage to Care services.

Erica Gafford has served on the Executive Committee for the Black Treatment Advocates Network since 2017, and currently serves as Chair – a role she has held since March of 2019. She is also a member of the ViiV Government Relations - Medicaid Policy RoundTable and the UIC – Project WISH Advisory Board. Through her many years of work in HIV/STI prevention, Erica Gafford has gained key insights into the prevention and health promotion needs of communities most impacted by these issues. Most important is the need to tailor prevention efforts and programs to address the specific concerns of these communities in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner.