Board members Patrick and Gage are friends for good — March 18, 2025

“Just look forward to the shenanigans. You’ll see a lot more of fun and professional shenanigans.”

That’s how Patrick Ingram describes what to expect during their Clare Housing board term.

When Youth and AIDS Project Deputy Director and Clare Housing board member Gage Urvina “volun-told” Patrick to join them on the Clare Housing board of directors, their intention may not have been shenanigans… But when these two accomplished and bright friends get together, good trouble is sure to happen.

Currently a program manager at the Midwest AIDS Training & Education Center, Patrick Ingram brings a wealth of diverse experiences, both personal and professional, to his work. “I’m happy to give of myself as a Black queer veteran who’s HIV positive. I think having that perspective on the board is extremely important,” he says.

As a young adult Patrick had planned to study international relations to prepare for a career in the US Foreign Service, but after getting an HIV diagnosis in a dehumanizing clinic environment on World AIDS Day in 2011, he decided to pivot and focus his education on public health and HIV. Patrick is driven to ensure that no one else should have to experience the callous lack of care that he did. A veteran of the US Coast Guard, Patrick worked as flight attendant for Delta for 5 years while getting his Master’s in Health Care Administration in Virginia, followed by a move to Minnesota for a position at the Red Door Clinic in 2021.

Gage and Patrick started running into each other at local public health events but didn’t have the opportunity to get to know one another until a year ago. Patrick was initially intimidated by Gage but Gage was intrigued by Patrick. “I had seen [him] at a World AIDS day event and had been like ‘woah, who is this?’” Gage says. Soon after, the two found out they would be working on a project together at Red Door, giving them the opportunity to learn how well they collaborate. Gage says they’ve “never had a friendship that has blossomed like this from work.”

Being new to the state has allowed Patrick to offer a new perspective on how our local AIDS services organizations can improve outcomes. “The South was able to mobilize and have a consistent message about what they need to end the epidemic,” he says “and I don’t see that kind of collaboration between organizations here in the Upper Midwest.” Patrick explains that data shows “Minnesota is one of the healthiest states but it’s not healthy for Black people… But there are great organizations like Clare and others that do great work. So as a board member I see my role as finding ways we can collaborate and get out of our silos.”

Patrick and Gage, as friends and colleagues, demonstrate that collaborative spirit, which they attribute to their very different but complementary backgrounds. “With our different experiences, we kind of make a power couple,” Gage says. “Patrick has multiple degrees, I don’t have any degrees… my background is lived experiences, fellowships, and stuff like that.”

“It’s like leather and lace,” Patrick explains. “Having both an individual that is working on a doctorate and an individual who was born and bred in Minnesota, who has years of lived experience to be at this table of leadership together… it’s really important to have all kinds of lenses of Minnesotans to support Clare and best serve its residents.”

As we look forward towards a new era of programming and opportunities for residents, we know these friends and leaders will continue to offer valuable insights – and shenanigans – to Clare Housing’s governance.