Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathaniel Holley.
Nathaniel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins in a small town in Ohio called Dayton. I grew up in a progressive middle class family with strong roots in the church. I like to think of myself as a writer, philosopher, student of life, and advocate for those living with HIV. I decided to champion the cause and live open and provide visibility following my own HIV diagnosis in 2012. Outside of my work in HIV, I’ve earned a B.A. in Political Science from Morehouse College and master’s in legal studies from American University. Throughout my career, I’ve lived in Atlanta, Chicago, South Korea, Washington, D.C., and I now call Dallas home.
In November 2020, My partner and I started The Freelux Project, a nonprofit focused on increasing access to healthcare for people of Color across the country. Phase 1 initiatives involve providing free virtual mental health services and home STI test kits. I want to create a world where stigma doesn’t interfere with self-care. Outside of his non-profit work, he spends his days as the Associate Director of Compliance for a financial services firm and as a fitness enthusiast. In the coming months, he seeks to publish a collection of his works that include poetry, short stories, journal excerpts, and personal interviews. He says, “I have always believed that we must use our gifts to inspire and show others how to lead full lives. Our job is to teach others as we learn and release our insecurities. That’s why I live boldly” You can find him on Instagram at @nathanielholleyofficial
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building a business is hard, but if you have a passion for what you are doing you will persevere. Growing an organization comes with pains, and learning to scale up was a big hurdle. I am happy to say The Freelux Project has hired two employees and has plans to increase its footprint across the country. The road has not been the easiest, but I am greatful for each lesson I learned along the way. If I could go back, I would do everything the same.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
I remember the first day I chose to openly disclose my HIV status on social media. It was one of the hardest and freeing moments in my life. Once I allowed myself to be an example of positive living (in more ways than one), I was able to see how I could help someone who may be experiencing the same thing. The Freelux Project is built on that mission. I am most proud of the growth that we have seen over the past year. We have secured important partnerships and are currently funded through various grants. We currently offer free HIV self-tests through our website with a partnership with the CDC Foundation. We also currently provide STI referrals and Mpox vaccine navigation. This year we are producing a series of events targeting bringing culture and healthcare together. Please go to www.freeluxproject.org to subscribe and stay updated on our events and promotions.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people who know me and my work are probably not aware that my true love is food and cooking. My dream is to live on a vineyard in Italy for 6 months and cook local dishes and harvest wine. I grew up watching Julia Child and fell in love with food from watching my grandmother cook every day. I plan to one day open a restaurant featuring some of my favorite dishes from around the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.freeluxproject.org
- Instagram: @nathanielholleyofficial
- Facebook: Nathaniel Holley
- Linkedin: Nathaniel Holley
Image Credits
Justin Jones
