Black Trans Women Wow and Inspire in 2014 ‘Trans 100′ Round-Up

The second annual Trans 100, a list that recognizes trailblazers who serve as “possibility models” for the transgender community (and as inspiration for all of us), has been announced. Recognizing the power of seeing ourselves and being seen, ELIXHER has highlighted the brilliant Black trans women honored this year.* We salute all the trailblazers acknowledged on (and off) the 2014 Trans 100. Read the full list and full bios here.

Created by This Is H.O.W. Executive Director Antonia D’orsay in partnership with Jen Richards of We Happy Trans, the round-up represents the breadth and diversity of the positive work being done every day by trans women and men across the country.

A. Dionne Stallworth - One of the founding members of Gender PAC, the first transgender political action committee in the country, a founding member and original co-chair of the Transgender Health Action Coalition, and a former officer and board member of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association. A. Dionne has also been a lead contributor for Philadelphia’s observance of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Angelica Ross - A singer/songwriter who works with Chicago House’s TransLife Center as the coordinator of TransWorks, an employment initiative geared towards the economic empowerment of trans and gender non-conforming people.

CeCe McDonald - Then a student studying fashion at a Minneapolis college, was thrust into the spotlight when she an her friends were the subject of a violent, racist, transphobic attack on a summer night in 2011. CeCe is now picking up her life. She plans to be an activist for issues impacting the African American and transgender communities. Her case is the subject of the upcoming documentary Free CeCe, produced by Laverne Cox.

Charlene Jacqueline Arcila - The visionary behind the Mazzoni Trans-Health Conference, now in its thirteenth year and recognized as the largest trans conference in the United States. She is currently working on creating a community development project — H.O.P.E. (Helping Others Pursue Excellence) — to address the needs of trans-identified individuals being released from correctional facilities along with substance abuse programs. Charlene is an ordained minister at Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia.

Chella Isabel Marie Coleman - A transgender activist, artist, and organizer in Los Angeles. Chella uses her skills to educate the public on issues that impact the trans and gender-nonconforming community, especially low income trans women of color.

Cherno Biko - Publicly came out as intersex/transgender last year on their twenty-second birthday, in LIFE: Lessons Learned from Living Authentically, a landmark one-person show at the historic Short North Stage. As a board member of TransOhio, Biko is dedicated to making the world a safer place for all people to live authentically. Born and raised in Columbus, Biko currently serves as the codirector of We Happy Trans and the public conversations manager for Project I Am Enough.

Cheryl Courtney-Evans - A native of Kansas City, Missouri. She came to Atlanta in 1979 and found a place with LaGender, an Atlanta transgender support group, where she received certifcation as a transgender peer conselor.

Dee Dee Ngzoi Chamblee - An executive and a seasoned advocate within and for the transgender community where she brings over 20 years of community-based organizing experience to bear on issues that include transgender health, HIV/AIDS, research, substance abuse prevention, mental health issues, intimate partner violence, and spiritual counseling.

Fallon Fox - A mixed martial artist who became the first openly transgender athlete in MMA history. Before coming out publicly, Fallon competed in Jiu Jitsu, Submission Fighting, and amateur MMA tournaments.

Kiara St. James - Moved to New York City from Beaumont, Texas in the early ’90’s, when there were no protections for the trans community. She faced blatant discrimination and harassment for daring to love her truth. Kiara was instrumental in bringing attention to and helping change policies in New York City’s shelter system, which often denied trans women accommodations.

Kim Watson - Cofounder of Community Kinship Life, known as CKLife, which assists affirmed men and women with necessary life skills, medical needs, counseling, and access to the resources needed to improve their quality of life and contribution to society.

Lourdes Ashley Hunter - Has led grassroots initiatives that impact the socio-econmonic growth, and development of trans and gender-nonconforming people of color over twenty years. She is the co-founder of (TWOCC) Trans Women of Color of Greater New York, an organization dedicated to uplifting the narratives of trans women of color through fostering sisterhood and creating revolutionary change by living unapologetically in our truths.

Octavia Hamlett - Has extensive experience working on behalf of the community after embracing her identity as a transgender woman four years ago. She worked on two trans inclusive bills, the AB311 and AB331, which advocated for equality in employment, housing and public accommodations for transgender individuals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Precious Davis - The youth outreach coordinator at Center on Halsted, where she coordinates youth programming surrounding HIV prevention, transgender advocacy, and cultural awareness. Precious is a native Nebraskan whose move to the WIndy City was prompted by a passion for theatre and nonprofit work.

Sharyn Grayson - After more than thirty years of direct involvement in the nonprofit sector including positions in California, Arizona, Georgia, and Texas, Sharyn Grayson recently announced her retirement from her position as program coordinator for transgender programs and services at AIDS Project of East Bay in Oakland, California.

Valerie Spencer - Has worked in the arena of social services, focusing on health disparities as they relate to transgender persons and others within LGBTQ communities for over two decades. She is a public speaker and has worked with the federal government, health departments, universities, and community based organizations around the country on capacity building training and national advocacy consultation. She is the founder of the Transcend Empowerment Institute, an organization which addresses empowerment on a social, cultural and holistic basis for trans and LGBTQ communities as a whole.

Z Jae Williams - Known by many as “Auntie Z,” hoped to create something special for Chicago’s queer youth, a place where they were welcomed in without entry cards, sign-ins, ID checks, or removal of possessions. That hope became reality in 2010 with Youth Lounge, a unique drop-in operation located at a local Chicago church.

Last week, the 2014 Trans 100 was presented at the Trans 100 Live Event produced and hosted by trans advocate and artist (and 2014 honoree) Angelica Ross, and sponsored by Chicago House, Lambda Legal, and GLAAD. Orange Is the New Black actress Laverne Cox served as the keynote speaker. (You can watch the show here.)

*If we’ve missed or misidentified anyone, please let us know in the comments.