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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.

Below are examples of TSC leadership development efforts and partnerships:

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).

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:

Networking, communications, public speaking

Grant-writing and fundraising

Management/admin

Self-care and healing

Advocacy and campaign development

Intersectional work

Integrating racial justice

Integrating Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS (MIPA)

Building confidence

Building a vision and planning the path to achievement

How to coalesce with other trans/community leaders

Honoring individuality while understanding professional culture

Fundraising & communication strategy collaboration that supports Puerto Rico’s True Self Foundation

Established in 2017, the True Self Foundation works to support LGBTQ+ communities in Puerto Rico. As one of the only organizations of its kind on the island, True Self provides free or low-cost gender-affirming services to gender-diverse Puerto Ricans. They do this work through core programing such as the Be Free Fund, which provides financial assistance for gender-affirming medical procedures for TGNC individuals; the Embrace Program, which offers administrative support for

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