Leadership Development
BUILDING TRANS JUSTICE THROUGH TRANS LEADERSHIP
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.
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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
BUILDING TRANS JUSTICE THROUGH TRANS LEADERSHIP
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.
​
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:
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 United’s 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, “sing all of who we are we are building our leaders organically, culturally, professionally, and holistically.”
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
Providing immediate and urgent support to organizations serving Black and Brown Transgender and Gender Non-conforming (TGNC) people who are directly affected by COVID-19 and HIV in the United States.
AIDS United FREE
February 2021
The Fund for Resilience, Equity, and Engagement (FREE) is a national 3-year $11M initiative supported by the Elton John AIDS Foundation in partnership with AIDS United. FREE is prioritizing organizations led by and serving transgender and gender-non-conforming (TGNC) communities as well as Black gay, bisexual, queer and same-gender-loving men.
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TSC is a technical assistance (TA) provider assisting grantees that are TGNC led organizations. TSC offers grantees capacity building and technical assistance based on their self-determined needs. TSC will provide individual TA around topics such as finance, human resources, strategic communications, grant writing, curriculum and training development, and more. We also offer training webinars on a wide range of topics, which have included “How to Best Communicate Your Story to Funders,” and “Options for Diversifying Funding.” TSC has completed some dynamic and sustainable TA projects over the past year, and you can read about some of our collaborations on our blog page.
Additionally, in partnership with Valerie Spencer of the Holistic Empowerment Institute, a new leadership development training program was piloted under the FREE initiative. The Master Class (TMC) is an 8-month program, specifically created for trans women of color. This rigorous training and support opportunity helps leaders around the nation navigate organizational leadership and philanthropy, while also focusing on professional goals and supporting women to make the leap to the next step of their desired career plan. This model is designed holistically, to ensure that the spiritual and emotional well-being of participants is addressed throughout the 8 months. Additionally, participants are matched with a mentor who is a trans woman of color for extra support and coaching throughout the training.