Brian Watson, the founding executive director of the Wanda Alston Foundation, has died, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped support for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness in Washington, D.C.
The Wanda Alston Foundation announced Watson’s passing in a statement shared by its Board of Directors, staff, alumni and supporters, honoring the longtime advocate whose leadership helped turn an urgent community need into one of the nation’s most recognized LGBTQ+ youth housing organizations.
Watson served as the Foundation’s founding executive director from 2008 to 2014 after helping establish the nonprofit in memory of Wanda Alston, the District’s former Director of LGBTQ Affairs. Under his leadership, the organization grew from an ambitious vision into a resource that has provided housing, counseling and other services for LGBTQ+ young people facing housing insecurity.
A Vision Born From Advocacy
According to the Foundation, the organization’s roots trace back to a meeting convened by then-Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony Williams at the request of Wanda Alston.
During that gathering, Watson spoke about the growing crisis of homelessness affecting LGBTQ+ youth across the District and urged city leaders to prioritize dedicated housing and support. His remarks helped shape a shared commitment that every young person deserves a safe place to live.
After Alston’s untimely death, Watson joined other community leaders to carry her vision forward. Together, they founded the Wanda Alston Foundation, creating an organization focused on serving LGBTQ+ youth who often face higher rates of homelessness because of family rejection, discrimination and other barriers.
Watson went on to guide the Foundation through its earliest years, laying the groundwork for programs that continue to support young people today.
Building A Lasting Mission
The Wanda Alston Foundation now provides emergency and transitional housing alongside counseling, workforce development, life-skills training and other services designed to help LGBTQ+ youth achieve long-term stability and independence.
In its statement, the organization emphasized that those programs exist because of Watson’s determination to ensure vulnerable young people had access to both immediate support and opportunities for the future.
Darrin Glymph, chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, reflected on Watson’s lasting impact.
“Brian Watson believed that every young person deserved to be safe, valued, and given the opportunity to succeed,” Glymph said.
He continued, “His vision and tireless dedication created an organization that has transformed countless lives over the years. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a remarkable legacy that continues every day through the work of the Wanda Alston Foundation. We are forever grateful for his leadership and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched.”
Carrying His Legacy Forward
Alongside honoring Watson’s life, the Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to the mission he helped establish nearly two decades ago.
The organization said every LGBTQ+ young person who finds safety, support and opportunity through its programs reflects the vision Watson championed from the beginning. Leaders described his influence as one that will continue shaping the Foundation’s work for generations.
His contributions also underscore the ongoing need for services that address homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth. National research has consistently found that LGBTQ+ young people are disproportionately represented among youth experiencing homelessness, often because of family rejection, abuse or a lack of affirming support systems.
Organizations such as the Wanda Alston Foundation play a critical role by providing not only shelter, but also resources that help young people build stable futures through education, employment and community connections.
Remembering Brian Watson
While the Foundation’s announcement centered on Watson’s professional accomplishments, it also highlighted the compassion that defined his approach to advocacy. Colleagues remembered him as someone who believed every young person deserved dignity, opportunity and a place where they could feel secure.
As the LGBTQ+ community and Washington, D.C., mourn his passing, the work Watson helped launch continues to serve as a living tribute to his vision. The Foundation said it remains dedicated to expanding the opportunities available to LGBTQ+ youth, ensuring that the mission he helped create will continue to change lives long into the future.
“Brian Watson’s legacy will continue to inspire our work for generations to come,” the Foundation said.
