Meet Brenden!

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Happy New Year, Worthy Community! My name is Brenden, and I am the Executive Director of Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC). I am a queer man of trans experience and a native of Baltimore, Maryland. I received my bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University in Transportation Systems Engineering with a concentration in public transit - tying together my passion for social justice and transportation. Today, I am transit planner for a public transportation system, and I focus on providing safe and efficient transit services for every individual.
Related to my work with TPOCC, I’ve expanded our national footprint by using different social media platforms to highlight advocacy that empowers and supports trans people of color. My growth as a community organizer created a window of opportunity presenting workshops at conferences and universities on topics ranging from lobbying for trans rights through policy work to addressing intercommunal conflict within the trans community.
My motivation for advocacy continued with volunteering a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the City of Flint where I learned that the key to leading community-based projects could only be done with the voices of inner neighborhood communities. Each day, I’m conscious about being a vocal and visible advocate to the LGBTQ+ community, and I believe that having open conversations with an open mind for clarity will bring more understanding to the truth.

Black on Both Sides: A Radical History of Trans Identity (C. Riley Snorton)
I am currently reading Black on Both Sides: A Radical History of Trans Identity. My attraction to this book came from learning about trans people of color existing through centuries by thriving and navigating through their intersectionalities. Just the thought that we are not erased from the history book is a monumental resource to have. I highly recommend you check it out!

Communicating and working with different kinds of people is a way that you can really bridge the gap between communities - people of color and trans/queer people, for example. So often, simply connecting with others not like us, makes us become more open-minded, understanding and compassionate. I’ve seen people treat others differently after they meet others and learn new information - their mindset completely changes. It’s a beautiful process.
With managing TPOCC’s media and marketing, I am inspired by articles on my timeline that highlight the work of trans people of color. I make certain to share all of these resources on the platform TPOCC manages. In the work I do, I have realized that bringing awareness is a resource for someone who doesn't have access to a close community of their own.

For now, follow us and all of our work at Trans People of Color Coalition through @transpocc!