Verniss McFarland III

Verniss McFarland III, CNP, serves as the Transgender Justice Initiative Instructional Facilitator at the Human Rights Campaign since March 2023, focusing on impactful changes for transgender individuals. As Executive Director of The Mahogany Project since April 2017, Verniss aims to reduce social isolation and stigma within TQLGB+ Communities of Color. Previous roles include Program Assistant at Tony's Place and HIV Testing Counselor at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, where responsibilities included comprehensive testing, education, and staff training. Verniss also worked as a consultant for NASTAD and hosted podcasts for In Living Colorz and Veer Queer, amplifying QTPOC voices. Educational background includes a BA in Sociology from Texas Southern University and a BS in Agriculture from Prairie View A&M University.