{"id":364,"date":"2025-03-07T06:51:39","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T06:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/translash.org\/2021\/03\/22\/womens-history-month-black-trans-women-to-follow-and-support\/"},"modified":"2025-06-27T18:11:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T18:11:16","slug":"womens-history-month-black-trans-women-to-follow-and-support","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/translash.org\/resources\/womens-history-month-black-trans-women-to-follow-and-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Women’s History Month: Black Trans Women To Follow And Support"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

March is Women’s History Month, which is a perfect time to remind folks: trans women are women! Our very own TransLash Media<\/a> founder, Imara Jones<\/a>, is a Black trans woman who deserves to be celebrated this month; among her many accomplishments, Imara’s thought leadership<\/a> was shared at the start of the March 17, 2021 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Equality Act<\/a>. Through TransLash and her many other collaborative projects, Imara tells trans stories to save trans lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping that same energy, here is a list (not exhaustive, just a place to start!) of more Black trans women to support and follow every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aaron Rose Philip<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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@aaron___philip on Instagram<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aaron Rose Phillip <\/strong>is an Antiguan-American model who in 2018 became the first Black, transgender, and disabled model represented by a major modeling agency. A powerful history-making artist, she also has a book published through HarperCollins called This Kid Can Fly: It’s About Ability (Not Disability)<\/a>. Aaron Rose actively works towards a more inclusive industry through editorial features, and was even profiled by the New York Times.<\/a> Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angelica Ross<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Angelica Ross on Facebook<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Angelica Ross<\/strong> is typically recognized for her outstanding work on the FX television series POSE<\/em>, and her work as an actress – but don\u2019t limit your knowledge of her there. She is also the President of Miss Ross, Inc.<\/a> as well as the Founder of TransTech Social Enterprises<\/a>, a platform that helps people out of poverty through various technical trainings and digital work as well as providing economic empowerment to marginalized communities. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aria Sa’id<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Aria Sa’id on Facebook<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aria Sa\u2019id <\/strong>is an advocate and political strategist based in San Francisco. Founder and CEO of both The Compton Transgender District<\/a> – the world\u2019s first trans district, and the Kween Culture Initiative<\/a>, a social and cultural empowerment project for Black transgender women, Aria\u2019s work lends itself to transgender individuals experiencing themselves as confidently, beautifully, and safely as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aria also works towards those same themes as a member of the Board of Directors for the Woman\u2019s Foundation California<\/a>. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATCH: Aria’s interview with Imara Jones on #LivesAtStake<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elle Hearns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Elle Hearns <\/strong>is the Founder and Executive Director of The Marsha P. Johnson Institute<\/a>, a non-profit organization aimed to protect the human rights of Black transgender people. She\u2019s also an accomplished writer whose work has been profiled and featured by a myriad of news and broadcast outlets. Prior to founding MPJI, Elle served as a founding strategic partner to the BLM Global network where she also formerly worked as the interim organizing director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She previously served on the board for Million Hoodies Movement for Justice and is the lead advisor to The Tamir Rice Afrocentric Cultural Center. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + <\/strong>Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATCH: Elle’s interview with Imara Jones on #LivesAtStake<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fallon Fox<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fallon Fox on Facebook<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fallon Fox <\/strong>is the first openly transgender athlete in MMA history. She began fighting after feeling a need to get back in shape and learn to defend herself after transitioning in 2006. On her journey, she found empowerment in her new body and gained a passion for Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. Now retired from fighting, Fallon speaks frequently on the ways that contact sports can empower women of all stripes, and how all of this fits within her perspective as a feminist. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope Giselle<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Hope Giselle on Facebook<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hope Giselle <\/strong>is a Organizer, Author, Artivist, and DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) specialist. She is also the Director at GET Phluid<\/a>, a comprehensive diversity and inclusion training program curated to provide companies, and organizations, with skills to spearhead inclusion initiatives and create affirming spaces in the workplace for the LGBTQIA+ community; specifically transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope Giselle is also head of the #AllowMe Movement, <\/a>which is aimed at connecting them with opportunities to become better leaders, artists, and activists. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miss Major<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mary Rozzi, <\/em>The September Issues on missmajor.net<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Miss Major <\/strong>is a Black, transgender activist who has spent over fifty years creating a better world for the trans\/gender nonconforming community. Major was a member of the infamous Stonewall Riots, and is a former sex worker, and survivor of Dannemora Prison and Bellevue Hospital\u2019s \u201cqueen tank.\u201d She is Executive Producer of the documentary Trans in Trumpland<\/a> and is currently writing a book on her life\u2019s activism, set to be out in late 2021 through Verso Books. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miss Mojo<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Miss Mojo<\/strong> is a Personality, Curator, Designer, Poet, Model, and Artist from NYC. She is the creator of the popular underground event Paint And Poetry, and also serves as a New York Fashion Week show producer and runway coach, as well as expressing her passion for change through motivational speaking, writing, and teaching. Mojo considers herself an activist for the \u201cArts, Equality, and Love.\u201d

Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATCH: Miss Mojo at TransLash Transgender Day of Remembrance at Samsung 837<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raquel Willis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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http:\/\/www.raquelwillis.com\/bio<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Raquel Willis<\/strong>‘ work is aimed towards elevating the dignity of Black, transgender people, though not limiting it to a single marginalized community. She\u2019s an activist, award-winning journalist, and media strategist. Some past accomplishments: National Organizer for the Transgender Law Center, Executive Editor for Out<\/em> Magazine, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raquel is also the Founder of Black Trans Circles, <\/a>a project that focuses on the development of leadership in Black trans women in the Midwest and the South. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + <\/strong>Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATCH: Raquel’s extended interview with Imara Jones for TransLash documentary ‘The Future of Trans’<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toni-Michelle Williams<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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SNaP Co. <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Toni-Michelle Williams <\/strong>is a powerhouse with a body of work that encompasses activism, entertainment, community mobilization and more. She is the Executive Director at Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative – SNaP Co.,<\/a> a Black, trans, and queer-led organization that “builds safety within our community, investing in our collective embodied leadership, and building political power in Atlanta, GA.” In 2015, she was able to successfully launch the Trans Leadership Connection internship program, and continues to work towards expanding her impact and changing the world. Follow here: Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATCH: Toni-Michelle’s thought-provoking IG Live with Imara Jones<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourmaline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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@tourmaliiine on Instagram<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tourmaline <\/strong>is an artist, activist, and filmmaker whose work has transformed our abilities and access to better understand who we are. From spending a decade researching Marsha P. Johnson to solo exhibits in New York, her work envisions liberation every step of the way. Tourmaline currently has permanent exhibitions in the Tate Museum, MoMa, and Brooklyn Museum. You can find some of her features, including the TIME 100 list, through her instagram bio link. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

LISTEN: Tourmaline on TransLash Podcast with Imara Jones<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xaria James<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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@xariajames on Twitter<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Xaria James <\/strong>is an activist, fitness enthusiast, and influencer, as well as being the CEO of Xaria James LLC. Xaria\u2019s giving spirit has led her to leading a fundraiser in support of the National LGBTQ Task Force<\/a> which went on to collect over $1,300 for the Winter Party (for which she\u2019s an official influencer), a party originally thrown in 1994 to raise money to combat an anti-gay ballot initiative. She currently works in Hospitality Management & Tourism in Miami and advocates as often as possible. Xaria recently contributed a piece for TransLash Zine Vol. 2: Holiday Survival Guide<\/a>. Follow here: Instagram<\/a> + Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support Black Trans Women: Some Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n