*Media Advisory for Friday, January 17 at 1:30 PM CST*
(Dallas, TX, January 15, 2020) – Following the Creating Change 2020 theme, “Love, Learning and Liberation,” National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey and Deputy Executive Director Kierra Johnson will host the annual State of the Movement plenary with four guest speakers on Friday, January 17 at 1:30 PM at the 32nd Creating Change Conference in Dallas, TX.
“The State of the Movement address is an opportunity to share the Task Force’s perspective on the critical issues facing our movement. This year’s choice was clear – we are centering the experiences of trans women of color. I am honored and excited to have these four powerful women join in sharing their perspectives, their leadership and their vision,” says National LGBTQ Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey.
This year, the State of the Movement plenary features a conversation with four trans women of color leaders:
Micky Bradford, Transgender Law Center, House of Pentacles, Southern Fried Queer Pride, Southerners On New Ground (SONG)
Taffy Lei Johnson, United Territories of Pacific Islanders’ Alliance (U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle); Board member for Pacific Islanders Health Board of WA; board member of Pacific Islanders Community Association; City of Kent Cultural Communities board member
Jade Lenore, AIDS United
Jey’nce Mizrahi Poindexter, Equality Michigan
The Creating Change Conference Plenary will be broadcast live on Facebook on the National LGBTQ Task Force page: https://www.facebook.com/thetaskforce/ on Friday, January 17 at 1:30 PM CST
Even as LGBTQ people and their families are under attack by the current administration, we know our community is strong, resilient, creative and determined. This year, with special guests, we will focus on the issues facing trans women of color, the work being done to address the needs of trans women of color, and moving the movement forward in our work for freedom, justice and liberation.
More on the speakers:
Micky Bradford is a Black Trans Femme weaving culture & organizing to make collective liberation irresistible and achievable. Micky draws upon experiences as a descendant of the first free Black welders in Southwest Georgia, where they spent their childhood summers. In their previous role as the 1st lead of the TLC@SONG program, Micky co-organized demonstrations against HB2 in NC, held a leadership summit in Nashville, TN, and published “The Grapevine” a community report of key issues facing TGNC southerners. Micky is a co-founder of Southern Fried Queer Pride, member of Southerners On New Ground, 2018 Atlanta Pride Grand Marshal, and 2019 House of Pentacles Film-making Fellow. Now, as “National Organizer” for the Transgender Law Center, Micky coordinates a coalition lead by Black, Indigenous, and Migrant Trans leaders demanding policy and cultural protections for their communities. Through “Black Trans Circles”, a project founded by Raquel Willis, Micky trains Black Trans Femmes in developing community defense strategies and healing justice practices. Micky B is a proud Bisexual Scorpio living and loving in Atlanta, GA. Micky loves fried plant-based foods after a long day of voguing in resistance to the police state.
Taffy Lei Johnson is unapologetically Fa’afafine and a trans woman of color from Sāmoa. She is a queer & trans activist and community organizer. Taffy is the founder and Executive Director of United Territories of Pacific Islanders’ Alliance (U.T.O.P.I.A. Seattle). She has worked in the movement for LGBTQ rights and equality for over 10 years.
Taffy has been a resource, refuge and support to many Fa’afafine and QTPI individuals who are making the long trek to the Pacific Northwest in search of better opportunities. She continues to provide resources, provides shelter, and assists with employment, housing, healthcare, and advocacy for marginalized and under-served populations. Taffy continues to work alongside many organizations, coalitions, and community leaders in empowering those most oppressed by class, race, or gender identity and committed to working toward social justice and equity for communities of color and the LGBTQI community.
Jade Lenore is the Program Manager at AIDS United and hails from the beautiful city of New Orleans, Louisiana, born and raised in the south rooted in southern hospitality. Jade is known to be an emerging leader in the LGBTQI+ community. From a very early age she has always had a heart for people, especially those whom were underserved in any way. Her passion for people has led her to be a public educator, advocate and humanist, volunteer, and leader for Black Transwomen Inc. and Black Trans Advocacy Coalition.
Jey’nce Mizrahi Poindexter is a proud trans woman of color who helps to round out the driven team of advocates within Equality Michigan’s (EQMI) Department of Victim Services. As a dedicated member of EQMI’s staff, Ms. Poindexter is a transgender specialist and the first official Transgender Advocate at Equality Michigan. Ms. Poindexter has volunteered with many different agencies in the metro Detroit area for over 12 years and counting, which lead to her position at Equality Michigan. She has completed countless trainings, conferences, and workshops including the Wayne County SAFE First Responders Advocacy Training, the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan in Conjunction with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Crime Victims Services Commission Training, Prosecuting Attorney of Wayne County Kim Worthy Rape Kit Summit, and the Creating Change Conference. Ms. Poindexter is also a proud founding board member of the Trans Sistas of Color Project and a member of the National LGBTQ Task Force. Ms. Poindexter is very passionate about equality for all people and is willing to lend herself to anything that helps establish equality both locally and abroad.
Contact: Cathy Renna 917 757 6123
Sarah Massey 202 445 1169