Arts Business Collaborative, Inc.

As some of you know, I’ve been on an incredible and life-changing journey of personal development over the last couple of years with an organization called Momentum Education. As part of this work, I am raising $10,000 OR MORE for an organization called For the Gworls, which raises money for Black, trans people to afford rent and pay for gender affirming surgeries.

(Note: their fiscal sponsor is Arts Business Collaborative- all money sent to them via this fundraiser on For the Gworls' behalf will get to them!)

From their website: "The first For The Gworls party occurred on 4th of July on a hot roof in Brooklyn, NY. Just days prior, Asanni decided to throw a party to fundraise for two friends that were facing eviction. They tapped Maahd to create a flyer and helped build a playlist, asked a friend if they could use their roof, and the rest is history. They’ve been hosting monthly parties ever since with the end goal of raising money to help Black, trans people pay for their rent and gender-affirming surgeries."

You can learn more about them here: https://www.forthegworls.party/ or follow them on Instagram @forthegworls

From voguing to Pride, Black, trans folks have added so much love, light, art and beauty to this world, and yet, hate crimes against Black trans people continue to rise. In 2020, 44 trans people were killed, making it the worst year on record for transphobic violence (1). The majority of victims were Black trans women under the age of 30 (2). So far in 2021, at least 29 transgender or gender non-conforming people have already been murdered (3).

Let's show our love and solidarity this Pride by helping For the Gworls provide Black, trans people with safe, affordable housing and gender-affirming health care. They are still more than $300,000 short of their goal of raising $500,000 during Pride Month! And as many of you already know, the original Pride was a riot led by Black, trans women, including Marsha P. Johnson, a drag performer and sex worker who advocated for trans and homeless people/youth, sex workers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and incarcerated people (4). This is the least we can do.

I hope you’ll join me in supporting this incredible work. If you can donate anything, big or small, it will make a world of a difference. If you can donate before the end of Pride month (June) that would be even more fantastic. And if you're inspired, please share with your networks and help me surpass my goal and provide support to even more Black, trans folks!

References

1. https://www.them.us/story/44-trans-people-killed-2020-worst-year-for-transphobic-violence

2. https://harvardcrcl.org/americas-war-on-black-trans-women/

3. https://www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2021

4. https://www.jcfs.org/response/blog/history-pride-part2

This year, we’ve decided to raise funds for “For the Gworls ” in honor of Harry’s 27th birthday!

Many of us have been fans of Harry for ten years now - having first been introduced to him as a 16 year old child. It's been amazing watching him blossom into the kind, caring and inspirational young man that he is today. We're all incredibly proud of him and as always want to raise as much money as possible on his behalf.

As we all know, Harry is pretty active within the LGBT+ community. It hits close to home for many of us as well, as does the BLM movement. So we had an idea to combine the two, and thought what better charity to choose than a grassroot initiative that helps put money directly into the pockets of Black Trans individuals to aid with rent and medical costs. Which is exactly what For The Gworls is best at. 

Thank you to every single person that donates or even just shares this charity drive. We know it's a tough time for everyone, especially financially, and we appreciate you if you donate $1000, or nothing at all! Cheesy or not, it's the thought that counts.

And Happy 27th Birthday Harry! We're so proud to call ourselves your fans.

Want to join us in making a difference? Your amazing team at Pongo Power is raising money to benefit The Okra Project of the Arts Business Collaborative, Inc., and any donation will help make an impact.

We'll be sending you an invitation to our 13 Annual Fundraising Event shortly! 

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us

More information about Arts Business Collaborative, Inc.: ABC is a 501(c)3 technical assistance and research organization committed to improving the quality of life of people of color through the arts and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Our programs focus on the underlying factors that affect quality of life for people of color: access to capital, access to networks, access to training, and entrepreneurship.