Mutual aid saved my life. Now, I'm paying it forward

"Too often, Black trans lives disappear from the very data used to shape policy. The Trevor Project's 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People paints a stark picture: nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the past year, rising to 46% among transgender and nonbinary youth. Around 28% have experienced homelessness or housing instability, and 30% reported food insecurity in the last month."

"I know that reality. As a Black trans woman, I've navigated systems that were never built for people like me. My leadership is not abstract but comes from lived experience. I am here because neighbors and community members showed up when institutions didn't. Mutual aid sustained me. Today, as executive director of The Okra Project, I'm committed to ensuring others receive that same lifeline."

"When I stepped into this role in 2023, The Okra Project was burdened by mismanagement and community mistrust. Rebuilding wasn't just about stabilizing an organization. It was about restoring faith in a mission rooted in care. I promised to do it one program at a time: an opportunity to grab a meal, a safe ride, a therapy session, a hand with rent, or keep the lights on."

Black trans and nonbinary people face daily barriers such as hunger, fear walking home, and homelessness driven by unaffordable housing, inaccessible mental health care, and exclusionary job protections. Nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide in the past year, rising to 46% among transgender and nonbinary youth; around 28% experienced homelessness or housing instability, and 30% reported food insecurity in the last month. As a Black trans woman, I have navigated systems never built for people like me. Mutual aid and community support provided lifelines. Leadership at The Okra Project focuses on rebuilding trust, funding programs, and delivering direct food and housing support.

Read at Advocate.com