Good day! Grand Rising!
I feel deeply inspired to share my journey, as I have endured many experiences over the past couple of years. In 2023, I was hospitalized with Legionnaires’ pneumonia, spending 35 days in the hospital and having to learn how to walk again. Then, in 2024, I underwent knee surgery and had to relearn how to walk for the second time in a year. Through it all, I have walked these experiences with humility, gratitude, and deep appreciation for the people who have surrounded me with love and support.
I am Black Trans History.
I will never forget the day in 1997 when I called Miss Major and said, “I want change. I need change. I need help. Will you help me?” And she said, “Sure, baby!” I replied, “Thank you! I will be there in two weeks. Give me the address.”
I left Tampa, Florida, for San Francisco, knowing only one Black Trans woman who was said to be part of uplifting the Black Trans community. I got on the Greyhound and arrived in San Francisco. I consider that move the beginning of being raised, supported, and nurtured by Miss Major—having a trans mom, a sister, and a friend. She loved me, nurtured me back to health, and helped me find a sense of safety within myself. She taught me to love, to be strong, and to seek refuge not just for myself but for my community.
One of the most important things to me—and something I have worked hard for over the years alongside my team at TGIJP—is ensuring that Black Trans people have ownership and space to thrive. I always envisioned TGIJP owning a building in honor of Miss Major and Alexander L. Lee because of their collective brilliance. Now, that vision has come to life. This space allows us to better support those who have spent years in prison or are reentering society. It has always been my goal to own a building named after Miss Major—always.
I was fortunate to arrive in San Francisco in 1997 and witness the heroic acts Miss Major carried out for our community. It was never about her—it was always about what she could do for us. She reminded me of a mother, especially a Black mother, because we all know how fiercely protective they can be.
Miss Major didn’t take any shit when it came to injustices against our community. She protected us the best she could. This moment feels like a drop the mic moment for me—I have accomplished something that began with a decision years ago: under my leadership, TGIJP would own a building. And now, we have.
This means everything to me. A space where Black Trans people can have a safe, political home.
I give all the honor and praise to God, and I honor those who have supported me throughout my life. Those who know my journey can tell you—we were having this conversation back in 2016. Manifesting. Asking God. Calling it forth. Bringing the dream to life. Black Trans ownership. Black Trans wealth. Being the visionary.
I have trademarked this vision in my mind, body, soul, spirit, and love—not just love for myself, but love for my communities, for Black Trans people, for queer and trans liberation.
I want y’all to know: I am Black and Trans. I have always wanted a safe place for Black Trans youth to run to—so they never have to be exploited. A space where Black, Trans, Gender Variant, and Queer system-impacted community members can find safety, support, and sustainability.
To you, Mama Major—Miss Major Griffin-Gracy—thank you for believing in me when I was on my way to serve a three-and-a-half-year sentence and choosing to wait. Your belief in me, despite my circumstances at the time, strengthened my heart. Just having someone believe in me the way you did meant everything. You never doubted that I would get out and do the right thing.
Because of the work that she and Alexander L. Lee started, we have been able to hire other trans people coming out of prison—giving them offer letters as they stand before the parole board. Zy’aire Nassirah, one of our formerly incarcerated Black Trans Masc leaders, is now the co-executive director of the Miss Major & Alexander L. Lee TGIJP Black Trans Cultural Center.
And most importantly—WE ARE STILL F*CKING HERE!
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