Supporting Trans communities of color & trans youth in survival to build capacity and leadership skills in the Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri regions.

TRANSFORMATIONS IS TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR LED & CENTERED

Trans people are under attack in our legislatures, but this is nothing new to trans women of color. We have always been on the front lines of the fight for bodily autonomy and our civil rights.

We are launching a month-long Liberation Tour this spring to connect with trans people across Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas in 10+ cities and towns to raise awareness about the region’s anti-trans bills and elevate the voices of trans girls and trans women of color.

Through the liberation tour, we will mobilize trans girls/women of color throughout our region. We will identify what our community members need to survive and thrive in these times, build support networks, and shift the narrative on these bills.

During the tour, we will host town halls for local trans communities throughout the region and meet with local trans leaders and elders. During our conversations, we’ll educate each other on these anti-trans bills and strategize how to protect our communities best.

We’ll conduct a needs assessment with trans people of color so we can push for the resources our communities need. Finally, we’ll film media campaigns to shift the larger anti-trans bill narrative, centering us in the conversations around the harms of these anti-trans legislation and our strategies for thriving.

To make this tour happen, we need to fundraise $30,000!


IN THE NEWS


TRANSFORMATIONS KC ADVANCES STORIES OF TRANS PEOPLE OF COLOR

By: Dan Cohen | 41 KSHB | July 8, 2022

A recent wave of incidents targeting the LGBTQIA+ community has local organizations working harder than ever to lift up that community's experiences.

Merrique Jenson, the founder of Transformations Kansas City, is working to spotlight transgender communities of color and introduced KSHB 41 to Jordan Burns and Alex Salazar.

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Transformations did a lot for me, it taught me so many ways of being a trans person in my community.
— JORDAN BURNS

STILL STANDING: TRANS WOMEN IN KC SHARE THEIR STORY OF SURVIVAL, EMPOWERMENT


By: Sarah Plake | 41 KSHB | June 30, 2022

As KSHB 41 News wraps up the month of June, we want to leave you with real stories of women who are often pushed to the side during Pride month and throughout the year - transgender women of color.

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It’s a lot of things we had to endure, like being bashed or being bullied and stuff and I’m just grateful to even be here just sitting here sharing my story, because a lot of my sisters in the past have not made it this far.
— KELLY NOU


TRANSFORMATIONS KC WORKS TO ADD TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR IN MORE LEADERSHIP ROLES

By: Sarah Plake | 41 KSHB | Jun 29, 2022

This Pride month, we want to share stories of some of the most marginalized people within the LGBTQ+ community.
That means sharing the stories of transgender women of color, who have historically been misrepresented in - and even harmed by - media coverage.

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Often, society will tell you you’re just going to be a sex worker, you’re just going to be a drag queen or you’re just going to be a low-paid individual, and that can’t be our only narrative.
— NYLA FOSTER

KC HAS FEW TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR IN LEADERSHIP. THIS NONPROFIT IS CHANGING THAT.

By: Josh Merchant | The Kansas City Beacon | Jun 15, 2022

For years, Merrique Jenson felt that local organizations took trans leaders for granted. So she founded Transformations to help other trans women of color hold their ground in leadership positions.

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I knew that I wanted to create some sort of space to activate and heal, and also remind trans women of color and trans young people that they’re resilient.
— MERRIQUE JENSON

LIBERATION CAMP

GROWING OUR POWER

If you identify as a trans person of color and are over 18 years old, join us from September 27th to October 1st, 2023, in our safe, affirming, and healing retreat space in the Ozarks!


LIBERATION CAMP 2022

Liberation Camp, 2022

This exciting, weeklong event is organized exclusively for trans-BIPOC leaders, offering a unique opportunity to participate in leadership and skill-building workshops, intergenerational conversations, mentorship models, engaging breakout sessions, and much more!

HEY, SIS

GROWING OUR POWER

Virtual sisterhood, mentorship, and table talks with trans women of color, trans youth, and their support systems.

If you're interested in learning more, connect below, and you’ll be the first to know about our newest virtual series.

THE DOLLS ARE THRIVING

A NATIONAL SUMMIT ON WOMEN OF COLOR OF TRANS EXPERIENCES IN LEADERSHIP, ADVOCACY, AND MENTORSHIP

This year, we’re offering a hybrid model of our yearly summit with an exciting selection of inspiring speakers, diverse workshops, and panel discussions virtually and in person. More details to come!

MICROGRANTS

2023 APPLICATIONS ARE OPENING SOON!

Our Microgrant initiative supports TGNC youth and leadership development. We prioritize funding individuals and groups with housing stability, gender-affirming medical costs, community programs, and educational and leadership development.

If you're interested in learning more, connect below, and we will inform you when applications open.

CONNECT

Share some information below, and we'll keep you in the loop on our exciting upcoming programs.