
Leadership Development
BUILDING TRANS JUSTICE THROUGH TRANS LEADERSHIP
Leadership development among transgender communities is a core component of TSCās work. Much of our work is focused on helping organizations grow and become increasingly effective and sustainable. But we know that this cannot happen without leaders who are supported, trained, and engaged in meaningful and relevant leadership development.
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This means that there must be trans-designed and led trainings that meet the learning, professional development, and content needs of trans leaders, particularly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) leaders. We know that too often, leadership development trainings and models were not built for trans communities. For transgender participants, engaging in these trainings can feel unsatisfying, and even alienating. The only leadership development trainings TSC offers are trans-informed, designed, and led. We also offered individualized leadership coaching, based on individual needs and professional goals.
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Below are examples of TSC leadership development efforts and partnerships:


Leadership development among transgender communities is a core component of TSC’s work. Much of our work is focused on helping organizations grow and become increasingly effective and sustainable. But we know that this cannot happen without leaders who are supported, trained, and engaged in meaningful and relevant leadership development.
ā
This means that there must be trans-designed and led trainings that meet the learning, professional development, and content needs of trans leaders, particularly BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) leaders. We know that too often, leadership development trainings and models were not built for trans communities. For transgender participants, engaging in these trainings can feel unsatisfying, and even alienating. The only leadership development trainings TSC offers are trans-informed, designed, and led. We also offered individualized leadership coaching, based on individual needs and professional goals.
ā
Below are examples of TSC leadership development efforts and partnerships:
The Master Class
In partnership with the Holistic Empowerment Institute (HEI), an emerging organization founded and led by Valerie Spencer, TSC has incubated and piloted a unique and visionary leadership development model, The Master Class (TMC). The initial pilot was designed by and for trans women of color (TWOC).
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Participants completed an 8-month program which included learning about leadership and related topics, self-reflections, mentorship, a service learning component, and real-life applications. The entire program applies an academic approach matched to the needs and interests of the participants. The initial pilot took place with grantees of AIDS Unitedās FREE initiative.
The Master Class empowers TWOC to not only step into leadership, but to step ahead as leaders. It is an opportunity for participants to put a plan in place to realize their professional aspirations, while also learning new skills and insights on self-care. The program is framed in a holistic approach, using whole-person, evidence based practices, cultural affirmation, and spirit as primary tools to empowerment. As Valerie states, āsing all of who we are we are building our leaders organically, culturally, professionally, and holistically.ā
TMC includes a service-learning component that is designed by participants, as well as one-on-one mentoring. The Masterclass strengthens skills on topics including:
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Networking, communications, public speaking
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Grant-writing and fundraising
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Management/admin
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Self-care and healing
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Advocacy and campaign development
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Intersectional work
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Integrating racial justice
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Integrating Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA)
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Building confidence
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Building a vision and planning the path to achievement
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How to coalesce with other trans/community leaders
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Honoring individuality while understanding professional culture


Building TGNC
Justice Through
TGNC Leadership
We are the Transgender Strategy Center (TSC), and we’re here to help your organization. We can equip you and your organization with a plan for success. TSC elevates and amplifies transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) voices and leadership within communities across the United States, centering goals on economic and racial justice, authentic inclusion, and equity in health and well-being. We do this by providing coaching, training and technical assistance to TGNC leaders and organizations. We tailor our assistance to meet the needs of each unique person and organization. Additionally, TSC offers training and coaching to cisgender-led organizations that would like to do a better job of serving TGNC communities.
TSC Services
TSC believes in transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people developing solutions for TGNC communities. We are TGNC-led and lift the expertise, brilliance, resilience, and lived experiences of members of our communities to move forward on the path to equity and liberation.
Mission
Connecting you to solutions
Backed by a team of TGNC-identified coaches and faculty, our strategic services meet the needs of all types and sizes of organizations, from small TGNC-led community groups and organizations to philanthropic institutions seeking capacity building for their grantees. We generate lasting change with increased sustainability. Get in touch with us today to learn how Transgender Strategy Center can help your future success.
Mission
TSC is a national organization that centers economic and racial justice, authentic inclusion, and health equity for TGNC communities through capacity building and grantmaking.
Vision
TSC envisions TGNC liberation created by and for our communities.





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