Meet Lamar McMullen | Mpowerment Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lamar McMullen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lamar, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
Sometimes the thought of me succeeding is the bare minimum but I remembered hearing a still small voice when I attempted to commit suicide almost 10 yrs ago that “If you Trust And Believe in Me, I Got You”. So I remind myself when life seems to get hard at times that always means that there is a blessing on the other side of whatever is happening and If I keep God before me, I WILL Win every time. Having 9 Years clean in recovery and working in the HIV field have really opened my eyes because a client said, “if you would have given up on life almost 10 years ago, i wouldn’t be able to save so many lives that i have saved thus far by Sharing just speaking my experience and guiding them into acceptance”. So stay focused and never lose hope!!!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work at Empower U Community Health Center doing HIV prevention/outreach. My target population is the LGBTQ community and those who are a high risk for newly infected cases HIV. I am a person living with HIV and have had an issue with drug use and my experience is what makes me different. I was able to surrender and acknowledge that I was an addict and the acceptance of my diagnosis. It didn’t take me long because of the lifestyle I lived in the past. It was not an easy road to get to where I am today in life but I didn’t pick up drugs, so I had another shot at life with God’s help. With continual prayer and motivation from the ones, I love the most, I was able to hold on and not give up. One of the most important lessons that I learned was that inpsite of me, God still loves me no matter what. He didn’t bring me this far just to leave me and if I TRUST AND BELIEVE IN HIM, He WILL ALWAYS HAVE ME.
I am a God-fearing man, I am a lover, not a fighter, a recovering addict, an advocate, a Florida GRIOT (African storyteller- “Outrun the Sky”- Docufilm), https://youtu.be/RYKaChY3-KQ, Which is a film about 5 African American gay men from the high 5 prevalence of new HIV case in the south- Miami, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Jackson Mississippi, Award recipients of many awards towards HIV advocacy, a son, a brother, and a good friend.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would probably take him to Key West to explore some of the history of the Bahamians, check out the most southern point (90 miles to Cuba) eat some fresh conch and fresh fish or seafood in general, head back up to South beach to then explore the art deco area on the beach. Go skating, bowling which is something we both love to do, and definitely hang with family, listen to some Bahamian music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I would like to give a shout out and give GOD thanks for everything because, without him, I really and truly do believe that I would be lost that without his grace and mercy. I acknowledge him for would not be here today. I shout him out for giving me the breath to start a new journey every day. My grandparents (R.I.P) for instilling in me the core values of life, my Mother (Sandra McMullen) for believing in me that I can succeed in spite of my obstacles, my best friend (Poppo) for not giving up 30years of friendship, my family members for holding me close with love. and My support network in and out of my recovery process for holding me accountable in this journey. I also would like to shout out Empower U for seeing the true value in me and giving me a shot and doing the work in the community for almost 25 years in the community.

Website: www.euchc.org

Other: Facebook Name- Lj McMullen Instagram- King_McMullen