InspiHERed By: Angelica Ross

Interview By Tia Williams

InspiHERed By spotlights phenomenal women in the Black queer and trans community—everyone from artists to activists. Each month ELIXHER features someone whose personal journey and individual craft inspire us to dream bigger, laugh harder, and love deeper. This month ELIXHER spotlights executive director of TransTech Social Enterprises, Angelica Ross.

ELIXHER: Tell us about Angelica
ANGELICA: I am from small town, Racine, Wisconsin. When I tell most people my history, they are surprised I’m not much older than I really am. I am 33, yet it does at times feel like I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes. I graduated high school at the age of 17, turned 18 in boot camp for the United States Navy, discharged four months later and began my transition at the age of 19. I’ve lived in Rochester, NY, Hollywood, Florida, Hollywood, California, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago. I’ve worked as a makeup artist, a telemarketer, waiting tables, door-to-door sales, retail sales, real estate, drag shows, you name it. The point is: I’ve worked my ass off for a very long time, absolutely nothing in my life has happened overnight.

ELIXHER: For those that don’t know, could you tell us more about TransTech and the role you play?
ANGELICA: I like to think of TransTech as the Apple of the nonprofit world. When it comes to addressing some of the toughest problems plaguing our communities I challenge our team to “Think Different.” With the use of technology, TransTech will empower, educate, and employ people in the LGBTQ community with a focus on trans women of color. TransTech operates similar to a beauty school model, in which individuals and businesses can get affordable creative services from our apprentices who are learning hands on.

I am the founding CEO and Executive Director of TransTech Social Enterprises and wear both hats of CEO and Executive Director because TransTech is not your average nonprofit model. As a social enterprise, TransTech is able to operate as a for profit and nonprofit hybrid model. A social enterprise is an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximizing profits for external shareholders. Another reason why the title of “CEO” is important to me is because it is my dad’s nickname for me. Over the years he has been supportive of my entrepreneurial journey and has said, “One day you’re going to be CEO of your own company.” I am proud that he has lived to see that day has come.

“I’m not sure I’ve overcome anything yet. I feel as though life for me as a Black trans woman is a daily struggle of overcoming and some days I’m stronger than others.” - Angelica Ross

ELIXHER: What makes TransTech unique from other organizations?
ANGELICA: For starters, there are many organizations out there starting to direct their services towards the transgender community, but very few of them are led by trans women of color. Secondly, most nonprofit services are band-aids for a much larger wound in the trans community. You cannot treat the problem without treating the person. At TransTech, we have created what we consider to be fundamentals for LGBTQ [people]. Unlike most nonprofits out there we are going to address the issues of economic disparity in the trans community through technology and social justice.

ELIXHER: You recently had your first TransTech orientation. What was the response like? When will the next one be?
ANGELICA: Our first orientation workshop for TransTech was a huge success. There were over 40 trans and gender-nonconforming men and women of all ages, eager to learn more about the programming we are offering. The best [part] was having people tell me that they didn’t know at first if they were “trans enough” to be a part of TransTech. I am really excited that we are creating an environment where everyone, cis and trans, will feel affirmed and empowered. Our first 12-week session starts in September in Chicago. We will be enrolling our first class of apprentices in late August.

ELIXHER: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to face and how did you overcome it? ANGELICA: The thing is, I’m not sure I’ve overcome anything yet. I feel as though life for me as a Black trans woman is a daily struggle of overcoming and some days I’m stronger than others. I feel the biggest challenge I’m working on is around self-worth and self-love. The challenges I’m overcoming in my life are making it possible for me to walk away from personal and professional relationships and say, “I’m worth more than this.”

“A lot of people think just because you don’t struggle with the same issues they do, that you don’t have any problems of your own, when at the end of the day, I’m still Black, and still trans. I am subjected to harassment, violence, and oppression on a daily basis. It just looks a little different.” - Angelica Ross

ELIXHER: What’s the biggest misconception people have of you?
ANGELICA: I sometimes feel that by not talking about the real struggles, that I’m making all of this look a lot easier than it really is. I’ll post a picture on Facebook or Instagram, and although the moment is real and genuine, the picture only tells a fraction of the story. The picture didn’t tell you that I had no idea how I was getting home from my trip to the White House until the day before I left from Chicago. I’ve missed a few meals, I have a couple past due bills (I won’t get specific), and I’m currently not on my hormone therapy treatment. It sucks, but I also realize my experiences are all too common for trans women of color. I’m not alone in that struggle. Have I had it easier than some? Absolutely. I will own that I have the privilege of socially accepted beauty or “passing” privilege. I have not had to endure some of the harassment and violence that many of my trans sisters are subjected to daily. I can’t imagine not being able to do something so simple as go to the restroom without having the threat of violence. But I think a lot of people think just because you don’t struggle with the same issues they do, that you don’t have any problems of your own, when at the end of the day, I’m still Black, and still trans. I am subjected to harassment, violence, and oppression on a daily basis. It just looks a little different.

ELIXHER: If you could go back and talk to your teenage self, what would you want to say?
ANGELICA: Slow down. Enjoy being young, worry less, eat more, learn more about sex positivity and have more sex! Don’t give the boys such a hard time.

ELIXHER: What’s next for Angelica Ross?
ANGELICA: Well, right now I am launching TransTech locally here in Chicago. But what’s next is launching TransTech nationally with our first “50 Across America” two-week online workshop, and then hopefully launching TransTech globally. Somewhere in there I need to fit in finding my husband, because I’m not sure he’s going to be able to find me with the busy schedule I’ve got going on lately.

Tia N. Williams is the woman behind The Buddha In Me, an agency of artists, speakers, poets, and activists based in Atlanta. The Buddha In Me specializes in providing quality programs to educate, enlighten, and entertain. Tia recently received her M.Ed. from the University of Georgia in College Student Affairs Administration.