Mission

 Lucie’s Place is a grassroots, direct services and advocacy non-profit that provides TLGBQ+ young adults experiencing homelessness in Arkansas housing solutions including a rental and utility assistance program, gender-affirmative transition resources, and grocery assistance while addressing the conditions of homelessness as structural, and efforts for the development of autonomous, liberated communities rooted in justice. 

Vision

We are a Black feminist, trans-led, and inter-generational collective working with our Arkansas community in efforts to build and sustain a community rooted in transformative justice that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, Trans/Gender Non-Conforming, and Queer folks can invest in as a space in which they not only belong, but instead are loved, deeply appreciated, and celebrated. Lucie’s Place is dedicated to the purpose of advancing justice for Black, Indigenous, people of color, trans/gender non-conforming, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people, cultural and political asylum seekers, and survivors of genocides. 

We are committed to fighting against housing discrimination, the over- policing of trans, queer and gender non-conforming black and brown people across the state of Arkansas. Alongside a housing initiative, Lucie's Place operates a community center that in addition to providing drop in services, is a home for queer and trans political and archival education, safer sex and gender education, and encourages the collective determination of black and brown queer and trans people in Arkansas, and the Deep South. 

Staff & Board

X Freelon
Executive Director

x (they/them)utilizes their knowledge as a healer and over ten years of experience as a youth advocate, community organizer, and  interdisciplinary artist to guide and ground their leadership in compassion. x feels that in order to effectively show up on behalf of the community, we must practice “listening to the heart of matters,” which for x means placing the voices and experiences of the most vulnerable amongst us at the center of our efforts. Born in the Delta and raised throughout the Deep South, x is familiar with the experience of queer and transphobia, and incorporates their history as a black, non-binary femme  in all aspects of their work. x was brought to Little Rock through love, art, friendship, and a passion for black and queer histories, and is committed to a vision of transformation for Lucie’s Place.

Tig Kashala
Director of Operations

Tig (they/he) is a Black and Asian nonbinary trans-masculine theater artist and community organizer native of Southwest Little Rock. They manage the Community Drop-In Center and one of their favorite aspects of this job is helping TGNC folks find attire in the closet that is not only affirming, but also embraces their style. They feel personal style is all the more important to trans folks because "so often we are denied the freedom to express ourselves in all arenas of life." 

Lee 
Community Aide

Lee (they/them) is the first person to greet people when they enter the Drop-in Center at the front desk. They provide services to members; directing them to medical and financial resources, and assisting with the utilization of resources within the Center. 
​Jalesa Fearson
Housing Resources Coordinator

​Jalesa (they/she) is a black non-binary femme born in Illinois and raised in Little Rock. They come from several generations of Arkansas natives with their family history stemming from both Harrisburg, Arkansas as well as Little Rock. Jalesa has been actively involved in community work since 2020 but has been an advocate for their community since youth. Being graced with the opportunity to work for Lucie’s Place as their Housing Resource Coordinator, they feel as though this role gives them the chance to use their resourceful nature, as well as personal experience, to help others secure housing. They bring to this role a natural compassion, and a hunger to help those who need it most.
​
​Carrie Walker
Director Of Wellness

​ Carrie Walker (they/she) is a graduate from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018, and double-majored in English and African/African-American Studies. She is currently working toward a Master of Science in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. Here at Lucie's Place, they will be developing community engagement activities for the center's members, while also encouraging them to practice habits that will ensure their mental, emotional, and physical wellness! 

Bee Kelley
Board President

          Bee (she/her) is an associate professor of chemistry at Philander Smith College in the department of Chemistry-- teaching organic, inorganic, and biochemistry. As a recent member of the Little Rock community she is always looking for ways to help. Bee has been a frequent HRC Arkansas volunteer and is an HRC Elevate Fellow. ​

Tien Estell
Board Treasurer

Tien Estell (they/them) is proud to serve as Treasurer on the Lucie's Place Board of Directors and believes fully in the mission and direction of LP. Tien is the Advocacy and Resource Organizer for Intransitive and is a Community Connector/HIV Consultant for the AR Department of Health. They are also an abolitionist, an activist, and a performance artist. ​

Adrienne Collins
Board Secretary

Adrienne Collins (she/her) currently serves as Director of Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Rock Region METRO.  She brings over 21 years of experience to her position. She is also the owner of AC Productions LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in HR, DEI, and IT. Adrienne holds five degrees including a B.A in Criminology, a B.A in Spanish, and a B.S in Sociology from Arkansas State University; an MBA in Information Technology Management and an MBA in Business Administration from Webster University. She is also a member of the Little Rock Junior League, Rotary After Hours in West Little Rock, Argenta Downtown Council, and serves on the Board for the Little Rock Zoo, Real Images, NLR Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, the Center for Cultural Community, and the Historic Arkansas Museum. In Arkansas Money and Politics, her outstanding leadership earned her recognition as one of their "Power Women" of 2021.