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Join Imara Jones for American Problems, Trans Solutions, as she travels across the country to tell the stories of three Black trans leaders on the frontlines of change.
Today, Translash Media in association with the WNET Group’s Chasing the Dream Initiative, released the second and third installments of American Problems, Trans Solutions, a docuseries detailing the contributions of Black trans community leaders working to solve pressing issues in their communities across the country.
The three part series features conversations with trans rights advocate and investigative journalist, Imara Jones. Each episode underscores the efficacy of social entrepreneurship generated by a historically marginalized community, with unique and compassionate approaches to problem-solving.
The docuseries features:
- Kayla Gore, Executive Director of My Sistah’s House, an affordable housing advocate in Memphis, TN;
- Breonna McCree, Co-Executive Director of The Transgender District, who helps trans people start and build businesses in San Francisco, CA;
- Oluchi Omeoga, Co-Director of the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project in Minneapolis, MN, who is building a support network queer Black immigrants and refugees.
Episode Summaries
Episode 1: Kayla Gore – My Sistah’s House
Home ownership is the cornerstone of stability. Set in Memphis, Tennessee, Episode 1 tells the story of Kayla Gore, whose own experience with homelessness led to her founding My Sistah’s House. Building 20 tiny homes, Kayla’s one-of-a-kind program offers zero-barrier housing for the trans and gender nonconforming community. Kayla’s journey of overcoming adversity fuels her mission to create a pathway to home ownership for those who are often overlooked.
Episode 2: Breonna Mccree – The Transgender District
For an entrepreneur, economic independence is the path to freedom, stability, and self-fulfillment. The Transgender District is the first legally recognized transgender district in the world. Located in San Francisco, it was founded by three Black trans women in 2017 with the mission to “create an urban environment that fosters the rich history, culture, legacy, and empowerment of transgender people and its deep roots in the southeastern Tenderloin neighborhood.” The district also “aims to stabilize and economically empower the transgender community through ownership of homes, businesses, historic and cultural sites, and safe community spaces.” In this episode we follow the district’s co-executive director, Breonna McCree, as she supports and celebrates the economic empowerment of trans people, opening up opportunity and the possibility of a brighter future for the broader community.
Episode 3: Oluchi Omeoga – Black Lgbtqia+ Migrant Project
For immigrants to the United States, the difficulty of crossing borders is compounded by a volatile political climate. The challenges are even greater for those seeking refuge in the United States because of LGBTQ+ persecution. This episode focuses on Oluchi Omeoga, who is based in Minneapolis and works to safeguard those at the intersection of immigration status, race and gender identity as the co-director of the Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project (BLMP). The project was created in response to the increasing number of Black LGBTQ+ migrants who were in vulnerable situations after fleeing persecution in their home countries or were exposed to discrimination in the U.S. due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“American Problems, Trans Solutions shows how Black trans leaders are tackling some of the pressing issues of our time — affordable housing, trans rights, and the plight of — with hope and real solutions,” said Imara Jones, series co-creator, founder and CEO of TransLash Media. “As we reflect on the contributions of the Black trans community this LGBTQ+ history month, I wanted to tell the stories of living-history innovators who show how those forgotten by the rest of society can actually be vital sources of creating a bright future for everyone. Our goal with this series is to show how, rather than being victims, Black trans people are pivotal visionaries.”
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