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.
GRANTEES
21 TRANS LED ORGANIZATIONS
TSC and Destination Tomorrow are very appreciative of our generous donors who have made this fund possible:
AIDS United, Gilead Sciences, the Levi Strauss Foundation, and ViiV Healthcare.
Each of these grant makers have joined the fund in recognition of the urgent need to resource
Black & Brown TGNC communities.
Alianza Translatinx - California
Arianna's Center - Florida
Baltimore Safe Haven - Maryland
Brave Space Alliance - Illinois
Casa Ruby - D.C
El/La Para Translatinas - California
For The Gworls - New York
LGBT Center Intercultural Collective Inc. - New York
Love Me Unlimited 4 life - Mississippi
Nationz Foundation Inc. - Virginia
Power Safe Place Resource Center of Virginia - Virginia
Southeastern Transgender Resource Center - Virginia
TAKE Resource Center - Alabama
The I Am Human Foundation - Georgia
The Mahogany Project - Texas
The TransLatin@ Coalition - California
Transinclusive Group, Inc. - Florida
Translife Line - California
TransSOCIAL, Inc - Florida
Ubuntu Incorporated - Georgia
Unique Woman's Coalition - California
About the Fund
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented catastrophic consequences for our community, which already faces numerous barriers to safety and well-being. TSC and DT participated in a national effort to mobilize urgent rapid response grantmaking to reach the most vulnerable members of the Black and Brown TGNC community, who are disproportionately affected. There is a dire urgency to support TGNC-led organizations, whose infrastructure and sustainability are at stake, at a time when their services and support are needed more than ever. Even with recent progress in funding for trans communities, our TGNC-led organizations are still building infrastructure, with the assistance of TSC/DT and their partners. The COVID-19 pandemic—and the disruption of life as we know it—is poised to have a devastating impact on these organizations and the communities we all serve.
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The HIV COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund for Black & Brown TGNC Communities provided general operating support grants to organizations in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants were from $5,000 up to $25,000. With these funds, grantee organizations may also provide direct resources to Black and Brown TGNC individuals facing catastrophic circumstances.
Eligibility
Organizations met the following eligibility requirements:
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1. Be TGNC-led* with over 80% of the people served by the organization being Black or Brown communities.
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2. Have a 501(c)3 tax designation or have a fiscal sponsor that has a 501(c)3 tax designation
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3. Have a component of your organizational work that meaningfully addresses HIV among Black and Brown TGNC communities
*We adhere to the Trans Justice Funding Project definition of TGNC-led: the majority of people in charge of the organization identify as trans or gender non-conforming. Non-trans led organizations with a trans focused project are not eligible for this funding.
Timeline
Grant applications were reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants selected for funding were contacted with a grant agreement for signature and a banking form to complete so that funds could be sent in the quickest possible manner. We will also request a brief final report on the rapid response grant after funds are expended.
Use of Funds
These grant funds were distributed to grantees in the form of general operating support. General operating support grant funds may be used for any activities or expenses, so as long as the expenditures are for charitable purposes, do not violate any laws or IRS guidelines, and do not jeopardize the nonprofit status of the organization, they are in compliance with your grant agreement
Submission Process
Grant applications were received by written submission or video
Grant Amounts
Grants amounts will be in the range of $5,000 - $25,000.
"Whenever a negative has come up in my life, which affects swaths of our US population, brown and specifically Black people come up with the short end of the stick. Be it incarceration, homelessness, diabetes, HIV, unemployment, low-income, poverty, and now COVID 19, it all has consistently hit us the hardest. Coronavirus is a global event which knows no color, orientation, gender, or economic status; and has shown light on the disparities Black and brown people face through our societal structure. Coupled with heightened awareness due to recent events, where communities are beyond ‘fed up’, we come at a time where change is not just needed, but imperative."
"COVID-19 exposed what many working at nonprofits that engage Black transgender folx have been saying for years, there’s a disparity that exist within systems of safety. Issues around housing, food insecurity, employment and health care have plagued Black trans people forever. With COVID-19 impacting this community with the highest rates of infection, it is imperative to establish collaborative efforts that are rooted in community."