Charlene J. Arcila-Ecks Memorial
Donation protected
Any donations received will go toward the costs of final expenses and memorial service. Donations received above the goal will go toward funding for H.O.P.E. Inc, a new vision Charlene was actively pursuing.
Charlene lives on through us. Help me keep the legacy alive.
The Life and Legacy of Charlene J. Arcila
Born a native of Jackson, Mississippi, Charlene moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1991 where she began her evolution into a strong and affirming woman of trans-experience. She has been a visionary, activist, and advocate within the faith, transgender, recovery, and HIV/AIDS communities. She has worked tirelessly to embody the essence of E.M.E.S.A. To Educate, Motivate, Empower, Support, and Advocate for anyone in need.
Under the Unity Fellowship Church Movement, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Charlene achieved elevation to Ordained Minister of Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia.
Charlene is the founder and visionary of the Mazzoni Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. Now in its 14th year, the conference draws a diverse group of over 3,500 people of many gender identities and expressions from across the country and around the globe. It is hailed as the largest Trans specific conference in the world.
Her activism and willingness to fight against injustice and discrimination led to the removal of the gender stickers on SEPTA Transit Passes. After being told her presentation did not match that of the gender sticker on her transit pass, she was one of the first to publicly take a stand against the practice. Along with a local group called Philly RAGE and Equality Advocates, she filed a formal complaint with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations in 2007.
Charlene has served in various roles and responsibilities within the Recovery community and was committed to maintaining her sobriety as well as helping others.
She has served on the HIV Commission prior to its disbandment and switch to Office of HIV Planning as one of the co-chairs of the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), a member of the Community Planning Group (CPG) and one of the co-chairs of the Philadelphia EMA (Eligible Metropolitan Area) Transgender Caucus.
She served as Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium (TPAC) as well as co-chair of Board Recruitment and Development. She began working as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Special Programs at TPAC after working 9 months as the Transgender Education and Outreach Specialist at ActionAIDS. She retired from her position as the Executive Assistant of TPAC and Prevention Specialist.
She has served on the Planning Committee of the People of Color Trans-Faith Conference in Charlotte, NC from 2010 – 2012.
She has been recognized and given awards as follows:
§ Philadelphia FIGHT Project Teach Achievement and Service Award 2000
§ TPAC Leonard West Award 2001
§ Philadelphia FIGHT Project Teach Appreciation Award 2002
§ Bridge Award 2005
§ TPAC AmeriCorps Award 2007-08
§ Trans-Faith in Color Eagle Award 2010
§ Mazzoni Trans-Health Conference Award 2011
§ Unity Fellowship Church Movement (UFCM) Bishop Award 2011
§ Fallen Angel Ball Award 2011
§ Foundation Ball Award 2012
§ House of Liberation Ball 2012
§ Trans 100 Honoree 2014
§ Panelist for the Pennsylvania Youth Action Conference 2014
§ Honored as Grand Marshall in the upcoming Philly Pride Parade 2015
Charlene was also actively working on a new vision by the name of H.O.P.E. Inc (Helping Others Persue Excellence) to further empower the trans-communities.
Charlene is survived by partner Marcus Ajani Ecks, daughter Eva Moore, adoptive son Dayshawn Minor, in addition to family and friends.
Visit Charlene's Memorial Facebook Page
Charlene lives on through us. Help me keep the legacy alive.
The Life and Legacy of Charlene J. Arcila
Born a native of Jackson, Mississippi, Charlene moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1991 where she began her evolution into a strong and affirming woman of trans-experience. She has been a visionary, activist, and advocate within the faith, transgender, recovery, and HIV/AIDS communities. She has worked tirelessly to embody the essence of E.M.E.S.A. To Educate, Motivate, Empower, Support, and Advocate for anyone in need.
Under the Unity Fellowship Church Movement, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Charlene achieved elevation to Ordained Minister of Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia.
Charlene is the founder and visionary of the Mazzoni Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference. Now in its 14th year, the conference draws a diverse group of over 3,500 people of many gender identities and expressions from across the country and around the globe. It is hailed as the largest Trans specific conference in the world.
Her activism and willingness to fight against injustice and discrimination led to the removal of the gender stickers on SEPTA Transit Passes. After being told her presentation did not match that of the gender sticker on her transit pass, she was one of the first to publicly take a stand against the practice. Along with a local group called Philly RAGE and Equality Advocates, she filed a formal complaint with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations in 2007.
Charlene has served in various roles and responsibilities within the Recovery community and was committed to maintaining her sobriety as well as helping others.
She has served on the HIV Commission prior to its disbandment and switch to Office of HIV Planning as one of the co-chairs of the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), a member of the Community Planning Group (CPG) and one of the co-chairs of the Philadelphia EMA (Eligible Metropolitan Area) Transgender Caucus.
She served as Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium (TPAC) as well as co-chair of Board Recruitment and Development. She began working as Administrative Assistant to the Director of Special Programs at TPAC after working 9 months as the Transgender Education and Outreach Specialist at ActionAIDS. She retired from her position as the Executive Assistant of TPAC and Prevention Specialist.
She has served on the Planning Committee of the People of Color Trans-Faith Conference in Charlotte, NC from 2010 – 2012.
She has been recognized and given awards as follows:
§ Philadelphia FIGHT Project Teach Achievement and Service Award 2000
§ TPAC Leonard West Award 2001
§ Philadelphia FIGHT Project Teach Appreciation Award 2002
§ Bridge Award 2005
§ TPAC AmeriCorps Award 2007-08
§ Trans-Faith in Color Eagle Award 2010
§ Mazzoni Trans-Health Conference Award 2011
§ Unity Fellowship Church Movement (UFCM) Bishop Award 2011
§ Fallen Angel Ball Award 2011
§ Foundation Ball Award 2012
§ House of Liberation Ball 2012
§ Trans 100 Honoree 2014
§ Panelist for the Pennsylvania Youth Action Conference 2014
§ Honored as Grand Marshall in the upcoming Philly Pride Parade 2015
Charlene was also actively working on a new vision by the name of H.O.P.E. Inc (Helping Others Persue Excellence) to further empower the trans-communities.
Charlene is survived by partner Marcus Ajani Ecks, daughter Eva Moore, adoptive son Dayshawn Minor, in addition to family and friends.
Visit Charlene's Memorial Facebook Page
Organiser
Marcus Ajani Ecks
Organiser
Philadelphia, PA
