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.
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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 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
The Transgender Strategy Fund
TGNC communities receive less than 3 cents for every $100 of foundation funding in the US*, despite disproportionate rates of violence and homicide, HIV, poverty, and poor health outcomes.
We believe that the path to TGNC liberation must include the resourcing of TGNC organizations who have a significant impact in their communities. Our communities have the wisdom, lived experience, and tenacity to solve problems and challenges if trusted with the resources needed to end these disparities. TSC's grant making prioritizes BIPOC TGNC-led efforts in recognizing the roles of anti-blackness, racism, and misogyny in our social inequities. We are honored to work side-by-side with our donor partners to ensure that funds are reaching people in our communities in a way that is informed by experiences of TGNC leaders and activists.
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TSC is able to offer capacity building at no cost to all grantees, based on their self-determined needs and vision.
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TSC is very appreciative of our generous donors who have made these funds possible: ViiV Healthcare, Levi Strauss Foundation, AIDS United, Gilead Sciences, and Robert Wood Johnson
* Grantmakers United for Trans Communities, an initiative of Funders for LGBTQ Issues
Grantee
Highlights
