What brings you joy as a transgender person?

For me meeting members of the community and learning from those who have lived the life longer than I brings me joy. Also sharing with young people who are searching for their truth brings me joy.

What did it mean to you to be able to be an HRC Foundation ACTIVATE fellow? How has it impacted you personally and professionally?

Being an ACTIVATE fellow was very meaningful to me. It allowed me to meet people from around the country who are doing the work. It also allowed me a chance to work on my leadership skills and to work on coming out of my shell as an introvert.

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?

Violence against the transgender community is still occurring in my community however, it's not heard of if you are not a member. News stories about any attacks, if they are reported, rarely mention the fact that the victim was transgender. If they do report, the story is played once and then it is dropped, especially if the victim is a minority.

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

I wish more people understood that transgender and non-binary people are just that - PEOPLE. We live our lives just like cisgender members of society. We want the same for our families - love, safety, success.

What brings you joy as a transgender person?

Just being and hopefully the lives that are impacted by my work and the work that others are doing to ensure our voices, needs and cries are heard and not being taken for granted.

What did it mean to you to be able to be an HRC Foundation ACTIVATE fellow? How has it impacted you personally and professionally?

This opportunity has opened so many doors for me and has given me the know-how of moving forward with my work in this community and abroad.

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

I've worked in the Public Health field for more than 15 yrs. in various capacities. As I have evolved in my profession, I have tried my best to educate and empower others to make positive impacts in their inner circles as well as community. It takes a village; therefore, I've ensured that the work that I do will reflect the changes I want to see in my community.

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?

There are several issues that affect the healthcare systems in the south. Most stem from the legislature and it's a domino effect from there. To speak of stigma and discrimination is only to scratch the surface of the issues many face along with adequate housing and employment.

What brings you joy as a transgender person?

To be able to show up whole and not worry about my gender as a barrier. Flowers, cards, self-care, peace, and hearing my mother tell me she is proud of me. To see my community elevated, celebrated — not just tolerated.

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

I am thankful to be an HRC grant recipient/ACTIVATE/ELEVATE fellow because it means that one of the largest LGBTQ+ nonprofits in the U.S. believed in me. It has impacted my life greatly. Since joining the cohort, I have transitioned to higher fulfilling jobs as a Development Coordinator, working primarily with grants. I also graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University with a Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership.

What about being transgender makes you proud?

The fact that I am the expert of MY trans experience. I am proud that I was able to make it this far throughout all of life's challenges — especially as a Black woman of trans experience.

In October 2018, I stood on the steps of the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas, and announced that I was joining a lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal and the law firm of Bryan Cave to sue the state of Kansas for denying transgender people like me an accurate birth certificate; for denying me the ability to live authentically as the woman I am.

I joined three other transgender Kansans – including Luc Bensimon, a Black trans man, and Jessica Hicklin, an incarcerated white transgender woman – as well the Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project (K-STEP) in the lawsuit challenging Kansas’s birth certificate policy so that transgender people born in Kansas are able to correct the gender marker on their birth certificate to accurately reflect who they are.

Editor’s Note: This lawsuit was successful and transgender and non-binary Kansans are currently able to amend the gender marker on their birth certificates.

What does visibility as a transgender person mean to you?

The President of the U.S. identifying as a transgender or non-binary person. In essence, it is seeing a transgender or non-binary person reflected in leadership. We need to see this so that we can know it is possible. And even if you are not visible, stand up and be seen! Be the 1st!

What about being trans and/or nonbinary makes you proud?

The fact of living out loud unapologetically. I also am proud of the fact that I have a community of peers that live in the same way.

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

It was amazing to be surrounded by Black leadership as well as be educated on how to properly carry out projects, write grants as well as coexist in areas where there could possibly be tension.

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?

It affects us in the most horrible way because a lot of doctors straight out deny us services which in turn makes us have to seek out more expensive affirming services. We also are as some of the most degrading questions such as what we were born and different very uncomfortable.

What brings you joy as a transgender and/or non-binary person?

The fact that we have more support and the fact that preachers are speaking out to the fact that conservatives have all the wrong mindsets about us.

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

I run an organization “LYNC2Gether Connection Center” where I provide life, trauma and spiritual coaching to community members. As a Coach, we had had my share of trauma, I used transparency and my training to help others love their new creation and find their voice while regaining their power.

What about being trans and/or nonbinary makes you proud?

Everything. Literally, the total embodiment of being all that I am and we’re created to be is the most fulfilling, freeing and rewarding gift from our creator. I couldn’t be more proud of you to be a vessel chosen to have this life and for that I am proud!

What brings you joy as a transgender and/or non-binary person?

Knowing that my son knows his dad is trans, knows other trans people and he doesn’t have to be sheltered from my community.

When I was my son’s age, my family kept my community from me, although I had family members in the community. As a trans dad, I wanted my child to have the freedom to evolve into whomever he would be and not feel bad if he liked pink, or wanted to change his pronouns. I wanted love to rule above all. That is joy and liberation to me.

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

Wow! It was amazing! I felt seen and heard. I learned so much, I met so many amazing folks. I’ve been busy as a result. Being a part of the cohort changed how I operated in business and in community spaces. Doors began to open for me and many new relationships have been built. I understand how to tell my story with purpose and intentionality

What about being trans and/or nonbinary makes you proud?

First, I am Proud being a Black Trans Woman and having the strength to know I am Loved, knowing that my Ancestors died so I may have the Freedom to live in my Authentic Truth.

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

I have been an advocate in my community since age 15, learning how to be that beacon of light for others who had known one or family to lean or love on them. When parents or grandparents kick them out, I would sneak them in my home so they can be safe. I would tell my grandma and we would still go to school the next day. Finally, at age 22, I stepped all the way in my truth by breaking barriers so that Black & Brown LGBTQIA folks were not left out of things in our city such as entertainment, HIV testing, housing, pride fest, clubs, etc. Currently, I am a board member of two organizations, Kansas City Pride Community Alliance, the first org to ever have a Trans Member since Pride In Kansas City, Missouri ever started. Not only the first trans but the first Black trans woman. I am also Vice President of Operation Liberation, a Black-led and Black-centered non-profit focused on the bailout and mutual aid. Operation Liberation is also the fiscal sponsor of my organization, The Trans Empowerment Society.

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?

In my community of Kansas City, Missouri HIV for Transgender folks is lacking BIG time and let me not start with the lack of Black & Brown advocacy around HIV & Aids. Even our Local Planning Council lacks the proper skills of having Trans & Non Binary on it as well as the agencies in the area. When asking agencies, Clinics, or even local health departments in the area about how can they change this they have no answer and a lot of non-solutions to the main issue at hand Helping Trans & Non-Binary Folks who are affected by HIV.

What about being trans and/or nonbinary makes you proud?

The fact that being trans does not dictate my Black experience, intellect, ability to love or womanhood.

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

It was such an honor to be a recipient of an HRC grant, and it was certainly a helpful boost to our limited budget. It allowed us as a fellowship to offer more relief to those still being affected by Covid-19.

What brings you joy as a transgender and/or non-binary person?

My Fiancé brings me joy in this journey of self-discovery while being a woman of trans experience. It is so appreciated that I have the mental capacity to grow with an individual that is as steadfast in not being hindered by life's circumstances or ignorance of those who want to box us in. Being limitless is the ultimate goal I have discovered while learning what joy and love really mean.

What has your relationship with HRC helped you accomplish? What are you looking forward to accomplishing in the future?

The building of my relationship with HRC has afforded me the opportunity to see that my presence in the Southeast, Northeast and Midwest has not been in vain and those in those respective areas are willing to help uplift those maneuvering in silence and disruptively are equally as important and will always keep the impact of trans individuals upfront, where it belongs. I am hoping to not only attend more HRC Dinners/Galas but to put the ever-growing emphasis of visibility in alignment with HRC values and equitable growth.