STAFF

“When we first formed in 2016, I never imagined that Transformations would be where it is today. I saw an immediate need for uplifting our stories, but we first needed to focus on our strategies for survival following the brutal murders of Black trans women, Black queer folks and trans Latina immigrants across the region.”
— Merrique Jenson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MERRIQUE JENSON

I grew up in Missouri and belonged to a family where intergenerational violence and racism were all too familiar. After coming out in my teens, I lost my place of belonging, not just from that household but also from my high school.

By the grace, love, and support of Black queer and trans folx in St. Louis, I found a new home - my new place of belonging. They helped keep me safe and alive, along with individual activists and organizers. These moments helped show me the power of my voice and leadership.

I am proud to be one of the only trans-Latina women leading a nonprofit in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. Transformations is intentional in how we offer our programs. And we are unique in how we showcase affirming, collaborative sisterhood among diverse trans women of color in our region.

Transformations today is far beyond what I imagined in 2016, and I'm amazed at all we've accomplished!

I'm excited to continue leading the growth of this organization into new challenges and successes.

  • Merrique Jenson is a transgender, queer, second-generation multiracial woman of color of White and Mexican heritage. She is the Founder and currently serves as the Executive Director for Transformations, a trans and gender-expansive youth organization based in Kansas City. Merrique has been working in the fields of harm reduction and anti-violence advocacy for over 20 years and has helped create multiple startup LGBTQ programs in the Midwest for young people and trans people of color experiencing trauma and living on the streets. She is a respected community advisor and racial equity consultant. She recently was honored and named in the first Trans Day of Visibility Proclamation on March 30, 2022, for Kansas City, Missouri, for her activism and acknowledged by a group of activists in the LGBTQ Commission of Special Action Recognition by Kansas City for June 2021 Pride Month.

    Merrique is the Owner/Principal of SocialScope Productions, which focuses on multimedia artistic programs, equity development, and intersectional professional development coaching. Her multimedia projects have been nationally recognized, including the popular #GetWoke event series. She has performed as a DJ, is a published author, and contributing blogger for The Advocate, Out Magazine & HuffPost, and is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She is a respected content expert, artistic advisor, and racial equity consultant. Merrique also serves a two-year term on the Board of Directors for Theatre Communications Group and has been recognized by the Association for Queer Anthropology for her artistic work.

    Additionally, Merrique is a Kansas City, two-time Rocket Grants full-project award winner, has delivered keynotes for Yale University, Southern Oregon University, and Northwestern University, has headlined Seattle Pride and Houston Pride, and has been featured as a guest on The Oprah Show. She currently spends her time living and traveling in both Seattle and Kansas City, MO.

SOCIAL MEDIA ORGANIZER

DONATO FATUESI

Donato Fatuesi (she/they) is a multi-passionate creative and agent of positive change. As an Actor/Model based in Los Angeles, she is inspired to break barriers to increase Trans-Visibility and Trans-Inclusion throughout all facets of Media and Entertainment from Pasifika.

Donato believes in the power of storytelling to raise awareness around issues that impact Trans people and empower their lives. She's the lead voice actor of the web series, 'LEGO Harry Potter and the Transgender Witch, and you can see her in the upcoming HBO Documentary, 'The Stroll'. She is currently in production with Aguadulce Productions on the short film 'Physical Therapy', and will be making her Theatre comeback this summer in Seattle with Theatre Battery.

With over a decade of experience as a community organizer and activist, she works closely with organizations to strategize, develop messaging, and create social media content to amplify the voices of Trans communities and tell our stories.