Do you see depictions of yourself in the media? Have you seen examples of successful representation? What kinds of representation would you like to see?

I do not see enough positive representation of black trans folks. We oftentimes are only seen in the media when one of us is murdered or commits some sort of crime. I truly believe if people like me were represented more often and positively it would change the mindset of some many people in this country.

We know that transgender and non-binary individuals—and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of color) transgender individuals in particular—are disproportionately impacted by HIV, and often underserved in traditional healthcare systems. How do HIV and other health disparities impact your community?

I know that black trans men are not at the table with it comes to preventative measures such as PREP. There is a misconception that trans men all have the same type of sex and that is just not true. Trans men contracting HIV is on the rise and we need to address this sector of the epidemic.

HRC’s annual Fatal Violence Report talks about the factors that contribute to violence against transgender and non-binary people. In your area, how are trans and non-binary people impacted by violence?

Atlanta is a progressive city in many ways but trans people are not protected as they should be. There needs to be more training with our police department and first responders. There need to be laws in place that make any type of violence against a trans person a hate crime.

What did it mean to you to be able to be an HRC grant recipient or cohort fellow? How has it impacted you personally and professionally?

I was honored. I get overlooked a lot when it comes to certain training opportunities. I believe my age is the reason why, people assume I know it all. Although I have been doing this work for a while, you can never know everything. This training taught me things I would have never learned without it and it was a great networking opportunity as well.

What did it mean to you to be able to be an HRC grant recipient or cohort fellow? How has it impacted you personally and professionally?

The MOTIVATE fellowship was eye-opening and life-altering. There are often times when we are searching for our village, but our journey takes its own course. The space that was created for us was intentional, brave and safe. The connections that I made are invaluable.

We know that transgender and non-binary individuals—and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of color) transgender individuals in particular—are disproportionately impacted by HIV, and often underserved in traditional healthcare systems. How do HIV and other health disparities impact your community?

Florida leads the nation in new HIV infections. TransInclusive Group hosts town halls centering conversations between Black transgender and Black cisgender while addressing the HIV epidemic within their demographic. The conversations stretch deeper addressing stigmatism and prevention while challenging faith-based organizations to join and host the conversations. We are also battling a governor who launched an attack directly against the transgender community. We are fighting to receive gender-affirming care. We are fighting for the parents of TGNC youth to maintain the right to make the best decisions for their children and families. We are fighting to use the restroom that best suits our personal identities. Collaboration has been key as we continue to fight this battle.

Tell us about how you connect to your local community through your advocacy and/or professional work.

I connect directly to my community by making myself accessible by sharing my time, talent, treasure and testimony. Having the opportunity to be actively involved with the community via TransInclusive Group during our bi-monthly meetings. I am also actively involved with the political education of our community via HRC and The Black Collective. I maintain an online presence as well as share milestones and community events. I believe getting and being involved is a form of self-care.

Do you see depictions of yourself in the media? Have you seen examples of successful representation? What kinds of representation would you like to see?

I can see my Black trans masculine individuals working to open the doors of opportunity for other trans masculine in Hollywood. Most recently, TRANSworld Atlanta shared multi-faceted stories, shattering the myths while educating the viewers. I see that we are making history in both film and television.

Tell us about how you connect to your local community through your advocacy and/or professional work.

Through my professional work and advocacy, I actively connect with my local community by bridging the worlds of social services and entrepreneurship. As a social worker turned entrepreneur pursuing an MBA, I've forged a unique path that encourages Black Queer individuals to break free from the confines of oppression and scarcity and instead embrace the notions of wealth and stability. As Project Manager of Project Innovate, a micro-grants program under THRIVESS is currently in its fourth cohort. Through this program, we empower aspiring entrepreneurs by helping them lay the foundational aspects of their visions, matching them with mentors, and encouraging them to align their brands with the social good of destigmatizing HIV. This innovative approach not only supports local businesses but also addresses pressing community issues, fostering positive change in the lives of marginalized individuals.

What did it mean to you to be able to be an HRC grant recipient or cohort fellow? How has it impacted you personally and professionally?

Being selected as an HRC MOTIVATE fellow, particularly as part of the first trans-masculine cohort, was a significant and validating experience for me. It reaffirmed that my unconventional advocacy efforts were being recognized and appreciated by a larger community. The fellowship provided me with invaluable tools, especially the negotiation skills imparted by Tori Cooper, which have profoundly impacted my personal and professional life. These skills have enabled me to secure better opportunities and create a more stable and fulfilling life for my family. Additionally, the fellowship fostered strong connections with fellow trans-masculine leaders, who played a pivotal role in helping me overcome postpartum depression, reinforcing the importance of community and support in our journey.

What do you wish more people knew about being transgender or non-binary in America?

I wish more people understood that being transgender or non-binary in America and anywhere in the world is a natural and beautiful aspect of human diversity, much like the vast array of flowering plant species on our planet. Transgender individuals are as unique and precious as rare flowers like the Middlemist Red. Just as God created the rich tapestry of plant life, they also created the diverse spectrum of human gender identities. Recognizing and embracing this diversity with love and acceptance can help us appreciate the beauty of our shared humanity.