Crew & Contributors

Focus is made possible by these hard working crew members. Without them, none of this would be possible. Thanks.
Focus
Crew & Contributors

Crew

Ray-Rico

Ray Rico

Owner, Publisher. he/him
Ray Rico, a Latinx advocate, owns a digital marketing agency and publishes Focus LGBT magazine, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices in Tennessee and the Mid-South. He champions HIV advocacy, fighting stigma and discrimination. Through his work, Ray strives for a more inclusive society.
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Daphne Butler

Daphne Butler

Creative Director. she/her
Jasper-Joyner-Digital-Content-Editor

Jasper Joyner

Managing Editor. they/them
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Kelly Seagraves of Focus LGBT Magazine

Kelly Seagraves

Digital Marketing Coordinator. they/she
Kelly Seagraves is an artist, writer and Digital Marketing Coordinator at Focus.
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Contributors

Chellie Bowman

Chellie Bowman

Former Managing Editor (2021-2023), she/her
The occasional writer, writing about special occasions around town and other sundry affairs. Doesn’t go anywhere without her camera. 
Posts
Chris Reeder Young headshot

Chris Reeder Young, M.A.

Contributor. she/her
Is an applied anthropologist and has lived in Memphis for 16 years.
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GK Gurley

Contributor. they/them
GK Gurley (they/them) is a teacher, writer, and comedian in Nashville, TN. Others know them as science camp teacher extraordinaire, Herb Ology. When not glued to their computer writing, you can find them performing at Third Coast Comedy Club or painting in some state park.
Posts
Minnassa Gabon Headshot

Minnassa Gabon

Contributor. she/her
Minnassa Gabon is a Southern Californian now living in the Mid-South. She is the C.E.O. of Minnassa Wellness, a psychic intuitive, Reiki Master, and the Chair of OUTMemphis’ Senior Services.
Posts
Mud

Mud

Contributor. they/them
Ethan James “Mud” McVay is a writer, stagehand, and interdisciplinary artist working in sculpture, performance, and installation art.
Posts
phillis-lewis

Phillis Lewis

Contributor. she/her
Posts
Ray-Rico

Ray Rico

Owner, Publisher. he/him
Ray Rico, a Latinx advocate, owns a digital marketing agency and publishes Focus LGBT magazine, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices in Tennessee and the Mid-South. He champions HIV advocacy, fighting stigma and discrimination. Through his work, Ray strives for a more inclusive society.
Posts
Robin Ownby_headshot

Robin Beaudoin Ownby

Contributing Journalist. she/her
Is a lifelong Memphian by choice. She received a B.F.A. from Memphis College of Art and studied Special Ed at the Univ. of Memphis. She enjoys time with her husband and two teenagers.
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tricia dewey

Tricia Dewey

Contributor. she/her
Is a longtime Memphis transplant, who has grown to admire the ‘grit and grind’. She is also a mom, wife, runner, reader, recovering lawyer, tree hugger, and ally.
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whitney-carter

Whitney Carter-Allen

Contributor. she/they
Whitney is a native of Mississippi, who’s been able to call the Memphis-area home for almost seven years. She is a poet, writer, and deep thinker who genuinely loves to love. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s in human and social services.
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William Smythe

William Smythe

Contributor. he/him
William Smythe is a local writer and poet. He has been published in multiple magazines, both online and in print, and works with the community creative workshop collective, Memphis Writers.
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