Trans Women of Color Collective

Help us cultivate affirming spaces for our youth to engage in healing and restorative justice through arts, culture and activism.

The Problem

2017 was the deadliest year on record in the past decade for trans women of color in America. With a mortality rate that is less than 35 years old, Black and Brown trans women are disproportionately impacted by high rates of homelessness, trauma, criminalization, under-employment and incarceration which is inextricably linked to violence sanctioned by the state. Despite these harsh realities, trans women of color are finding ways to show up whole, affirmed and celebrated in a world designed to erase them off the face of the earth.

Our efforts centers those in our community who have not had access to resources, opportunities and sustainable systems of support to live unapologetically in their truths; Trans and gender non-conforming people of color, in particularly Black trans women and femmes, poor, indigenous, disabled, our seniors and youth who are disproportionately impacted by structural and state sanctioned violence that impacts our socio-economic growth and development continue to face physical violence and discrimination everyday.

The Solution

Our Healing and Restorative Justice Institute focuses on Health and Wellness, Economic, Gender and Racial Justice. Our community initiatives, events, lectures, retreats and gatherings use art, culture and media as tools to engage community members in exploring and activating their power as a transformative change agent deeply invested in collective healing and liberation.

Our Healing and Restorative Justice Institute has impacted the lives of over 500k individuals in over 35 states and over 15 countries. This year we have conducted the following activities in North and Central America in addition to our Global work, anthropological studies and cultural exchanges taking place in East and South Africa, India and The Caribbean.

  • Writing workshops
  • Cultural arts events
  • Healing retreats
  • Community Teach Ins
  • Advocacy workshops and
  • Direct actions

Structural oppression and state sanctioned violence impacts every aspect of our lives. Our aim is to build sustainable efforts that are based in intentionality and centered on the needs of our community.

Stage of Development

  • Early Stage
  • Established Prototype
  • Scaling
  • Other

Organization to Receive Funds

Trans Women of Color Collective

This project was nominated by: