Everyday People: The Color of Life

We recently hosted a collaborative event with writer Jennifer Baker for her short story anthology Everyday People: The Color of Life. Jennifer read at the first Freya Project fundraiser in January 2017, and she has been a steadfast supporter of our work since then.

Jennifer asked readers Bani Amor, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Kavita Das, Tracy O'Neill, Dennis Norris II, and Melissa Rivero to share something joyful, noting that there is a pervasive, heightened expectation for artists of color to share darker, more serious, even painful work. The readers each brought their own perspective to this theme, and it was an honor to celebrate their stories. 

In case you missed us on October 14, here are some of our favorite moments.

We gathered not only to celebrate Jennifer’s anthology and hear from the readers, but to raise awareness and funds for The Trans Women of Color Collective. TWOCC works to uplift the narratives, lived experiences and leadership of trans and gender non-conforming people of color, their families and comrades as they build towards collective liberation for all oppressed people.

There is a critical need for more trans people of color led initiatives that create opportunities to engage in healing and restorative justice as trans and gender non-conforming people of color are disproportionately impacted by structural oppression that is inextricably linked to physical violence.  

TWOCC is a grass-roots funded global initiative created to offer opportunities for trans people of color, their families and their comrades to engage in healing, foster kinship, and build community. They strive to educate and empower each other through sharing skills, knowledge, and resources as they build towards the liberation of all oppressed people.

Please support TWOCC, please make a donation here. At a time when transgender rights are under direct threat, this organization needs your support more than ever.