With Hosts Gabrielle Inès (Community Activist, Public Speaker; STL) & Joss Barton (Writer, Journalist, Spoken Word Performance Artist)

A Phenomenal Lineup of Women of Color of Trans Experience Speakers

& Featuring our Signature Keynote Conversation:

A Black Trans Women Intergenerational Conversation: Grounding Ourselves in the Work.

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Black women of trans experiences who are established leaders will participate in a discussion on what is expected and required of us to do this work. The highs and lows of being in leadership, the epidemic of violence disproportionately impacting Black trans women, and sharing some wisdom with the younger generations on what to expect and how to remain resilient, living their truths, and doing the work. (Please note - this conversation will embrace candid conversation and share stories navigating violence.)

Moderated by Marissa Miller (National Advocate, Executive Director of Trans Solutions Research & Resource Center)

Keynote Panelists include Dee Dee Watters (Life Coach, Entrepreneur, & Community Leader) Dominique Morgan (Artist, Activist, & Executive Director of Black & Pink; Omaha) Korea Kelly (Community Advocate, Entertainer, Prevention Education at Kansas City Care) Mila Jam (Pop Recording Artist, Community Advocate, Transgender Star) and more!

With Box No 512 Podcast: Grown Black Trans Women Talk

& Performances by Lila Star Escada (Rapper, Showgirl & Overall Mother of House of Escada) & P. Nykole (Rapper, Artist, Fashion Designer)

As trans girls of color accessed our programs, many of them shared that virtual programs are safer and more preferred options than in-person activities. Many young trans girls of color have shared they do not feel affirmed, supported, or safe going to drop-in programs because they often don’t see women like themselves, or those programs continue to harm these girls. When they go back to their communities, they often experience active harassment and violence at the intersections of citizenship, racism, misogyny, transphobia, classism, access to transportation, housing instability, neglect, and lack of full family support.

Many transgender women of color learn about themselves online, including tips on transition and meeting other trans sisters. While self-awareness starts early, many are often not allowed to even start their transitional journey until later adolescent years because of outside barriers and the risk of violence. In Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas, many trans young women of color are still kicked out of their homes or disowned, have to maintain financial independence from family, navigate the street economy and survival sex work to stay alive, and are at much higher risk of experiencing violence from the child welfare and foster care systems, emergency shelters, first responders, law enforcement and the criminal injustice systems. As they are learning to thrive, they also need to save up enough money to have housing, food and pay for expensive laser hair removal and electrolysis procedures, hair care and wigs, makeup and beauty supplies, clothes, as well as pay for medical and surgical gender-affirming procedures.

We can’t wait to share all the amazing speakers we have lined up and the diversity of workshops, panel discussions, and our keynote conversation. More information will be shared soon, including the registration details to participate right here!

We have chosen to use and embrace the word "dolls" because this language has such a rich history with women of trans experience, and specifically among many women of color of trans experience, we will often use it positively with each other, to celebrate our successes and beauty.

Registering is required to receive a zoom registration link.

All registration prices are self-determined. As an organization, we value honesty, transparency, and accountability.

Please note - this summit is intentionally centering the conversations and mentorship between older and younger women of color of trans experience.

Anyone is welcome to attend.

- General registration is $25.

- A reduced-cost registration of $10 is available for those who are dealing with financial hardship.

- If you self-identify as a transgender or nonbinary young person, or a transgender or nonbinary person of color, we welcome you to attend this summit for free.

If you’d like to sponsor someone who can’t pay otherwise or are interested in helping sponsor this summit, you can always purchase additional registration tickets for us to share with others or donate at transformationskc.org/donate.

If you have more questions or feedback, feel free to email us at transformationskc@gmail.com