Our Team

J. Nathan Higdon is a native of Maryville, TN. He has lived in the area for most of his life. He is an avid outdoorsman...

J. Nathan Higdon is a native of Maryville, TN. He has lived in the area for most of his life. He is an avid outdoorsman, progressive politics, hobby mechanic, hiker, and yoga fan. He is a serial entrepreneur who founded L'Espace, Inc., which has become a diverse conglomerate. He earned a degree in Spanish at Maryville College, an MBA at The Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. He is a Marketing professor and business consultant who leverages his educational background into his work with Knox Pride. He is a researcher and speaker on LGBTQ discrimination, behavior, and code-switching in the workplace. He has worked with Knox Pride since 2016. As a community activist, he believes that helping the LGBTQ+ community is more than just a festival, but a 365 day a year approach to everyday issues.

Story VanNess grew up in Powell, TN before moving to Texas where they attended Southwestern University...

Story VanNess grew up in Powell, TN before moving to Texas where they attended Southwestern University. After receiving a BS in Education and a BA in French, they returned to Knoxville to care for their grandparents. She worked as a special educator at Vine Middle School from 2016-2022 when she left to focus on supporting and advocating for the Trans/Nonbinary community in East Tennessee through her position as Program Director of Trans/Nonbinary Support at Knox Pride and nationally through her work as InTransitions Program Coordinator with Trans Empowerment Project. In 2022, they also received their MS in Educational Leadership. In addition to her advocacy work, Story is also a drag performer under the stage name The Lady Viktra. They have recently begun hosting an amateur drag night at the Pride Center in order to provide rising drag artists an opportunity to hone their craft and to give young LGBTQIA+ adults a queer nightlife space they can enjoy.

Dustin Camp is no stranger to hard work with over 20 years in management and event planning...

Dustin Camp is no stranger to hard work with over 20 years in management and event planning. You may also recognize him from his behind the scenes work with Camp-King Entertainment as a co-producer & co-founder of the lauded Smoky Mountain Burlesque Festival. He's also co-producer of Knoxville, TN's own award-winning Salomé Cabaret along with being the founder BearItAll Burlesque, a male-presenting performance outfit that focuses on inclusivity across the spectrum. Dustin believes that all bodies are beautiful and that everyone has their place to belong at KnoxPride. Dustin's mission to provide a safe space for any and all is one reason he's affectionately known as “The Papa Bear!”

Born and raised in the Knoxville area, Rebekah realized her queerness like most other millennials...

Born and raised in the Knoxville area, Rebekah realized her queerness like most other millennials... by watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show on a certain cable TV channel in the 1990's. This seemingly benign action drastically changed her life course although it would not be realized until much later. After successfully dropping out of college, Rebekah later return to complete her degree in Web Design & Media Technologies, much to her parents' dismay. She then fell in with the wrong crowd which has led to more than a decade of stage abuse including directing The Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast at the Tennessee Theatre, emceeing countless shows for performance art groups and non-profits like Salomè Cabaret and Knox Pride, and producing or partaking in many other live entertainment events and fundraisers. Despite her best efforts to become a heathen, it seems that Rebekah could just never shake her good girl image. Because of this, she now spends her days moonlighting in Human Resources in order to help connect people with their dream jobs, while also being committed to serving Knoxville's LGBTQIA+ community.

Keri is a seventh generation East Tennesseean; born in Knoxville raised in neighboring Sevier County. She is an...

Kerissa (Keri) King is a seventh generation East Tennesseean; born in Knoxville raised in neighboring Sevier County. She is an alumnus if the University of Tennessee, where she studied Music Education and Vocal Performance. While she has focused on a more traditional career as a project manager, her love of the arts has sustained her. She has managed to combine her business skills and performance arts talents to create several fringe arts ventures including Salomé Cabaret Burlesque Revue, the Salomé Cabaret Burlesque Academy, The Smoky Mountain Burlesque Festival, and Clam Slam Drag Collective. In 2018 she combined forces with her producing partners Dustin and John Camp to create Camp King Productions, specializing in LGBT+ and alternative subculture entertainment.

Matthew (Matt) Navarro is a Mexican American born and raised in East Tennessee. Matt has a passion for technology...

Matthew (Matt) Navarro is a Mexican American born and raised in East Tennessee. Matt has a passion for technology with a background in visual and retail merchandising. In his spare time he enjoys baking and cooking, going to the movies, and listening to music. Matt is a passionate and caring individual who is always willing to help anyone and everyone that he can. His favorite quote is "As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." — Audrey Hepburn

Traci has worked with Knox Pride since 2018 as part of the events committee. Since then...

Traci has worked with Knox Pride since 2018 as part of the events committee. Since then, she helped open the Pride Center in 2021 and works with the Rainbow Teens Club and other youth supporting programs. During her career, she has gained experience in customer service, training, event planning, quality assurance, and youth mentoring within the nonprofit, performing arts, and restaurant sectors. Traci is a performer with Salome Cabaret and The Satanic Mechanics, and she is a self-proclaimed cat mom and fan girl. Traci has lived in Knoxville most of her life, apart from time spent at Berea College where she received a Bachelor's in Theatre Arts. As a demisexual who definitely isn't straight, she loves working with Knox Pride because it connects her to the community she has always called home.