The ELEVATE Fellowship advances the leadership of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) femmes of trans experience through peer connection and by investing in their professional development and leadership skills. Through the program, participants help HRC and local communities address key issues such as the HIV epidemic, sexual health, anti-trans violence, trans-specific state laws, and job opportunities for trans communities.


See Our 2023 Cohort

  • Sunshine Goodman (she/her) North Charleston, SC
  • Ahmea Branch (she/her) Lindenwold, NJ
  • Alexis Jimenez (she/her) San Francisco, CA
  • Amariah Hardwick (she/her) St. Louis, MO
  • Angie Tamayo Leon (they & she) Union City, NJ
  • Antiona Bowman (she & they) Richmond, VA
  • Elle Halo (she/her) Milwaukee, WI
  • Goddess Tyescha (they/them) Colorado Springs, CO
  • Jasmine Lopez (she/her) Bronx, NY
  • Karina Harris (she/her) Birmingham, AL
  • Maya Luna (she/her) Charlotte, NC
  • Nakysha Hoskins (she/her) Jonesboro, GA

Our Mission in 2023

This year our ELEVATE cohort will:

  • Come together with other trans leaders in the spirit of movement-building and support

  • Share stories and experiences through our “Trans Talks” series

  • Lift up the full trans experience through storytelling l highlighting the beauty, depth and strength of our community. Together we will educate the world on what it means to be trans and proud.

  • Join influencers, advocates and leaders in celebrating our community.

  • Work with our transgender justice initiative and our political team to address trans-specific laws and policies.

  • Activate through digital channels for serving college students especially HBCUs and work with our HIV and Healthy team to help end the epidemic for trans communities.

  • Support our Lyft Program which offers free rides for members of the trans communities.

  • As necessary, work and lead on public speaking engagements.

  • Attend two virtual summits where we focus on self-reflection and peer-to-peer relationship-building.

  • Attend our in-person summit where we will share space, forge new connections, and build new skills for the next generation of trans leaders.


Key Resources


Recent News & Events


Our programs

Transgender Justice Initiative

Together we combat stigma, help end trans violence, promote sexual health, and provide access to work opportunities and education.

Join us

HIV and Health Equity

HRC has launched a coast-to-coast initiative to break through the barriers and systemic injustice affecting the sexual health of our Black and Latine LGBTQ+ communities.

Embrace Your Sexuality

College Programming

Mobilizing across colleges and HBCUs to enhance policies and services that promote excellence in LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Get Connected

Upcoming Opportunities

  • MOTIVATE - a new convening of transmasculine leaders coming in May.

  • ELÉVATE - a new convening of Spanish-speaking trans leaders coming in September.

Embrace Your Sexuality

We're building a generation free of HIV and stigma. Embrace sex positivity with My Body, My Health campaign. Are you in?

The Human Rights Campaign reports on news, events and resources of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation that are of interest to the general public and further our common mission to support the LGBTQ+ community.