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Having the opportunity to meet Monroe Alise and soak up her energy was amazing. Monroe Alise is a powerful voice and trailblazer in the trans community, known for her passionate activism, artistic talent, and unwavering commitment to visibility and equity. As a trans woman, she has turned her lived experiences into a platform for change, advocating for self-love, mental health awareness, and the protection of Black and trans lives. Whether speaking at national events, mentoring youth, or bringing authentic representation to the screen through her roles in groundbreaking television shows such as The Chi. Monroe uses her influence to challenge stigma and uplift the voices of those too often left unheard. Her leadership continues to inspire a new generation to embrace their truth and fight for justice with pride and purpose.

What has been the most powerful or transformative moment in your journey as an activist, and how did it shape your advocacy work?

Honestly, there is always something new reigniting the flame of my activism. Especially with the political climate coupled with this administration. One of the earlier moments that charged me was during the height of the George Floyd case, at the rise of Black Lives Matter, and in the same city as George Floyd’s unaliving, a young Black trans girl by the name of Iyanna Dior was attacked by a mob of individuals while they screamed Black Lives Matter. It was the wake-up call that I didn’t know I needed. That fueled me to want to be a direct, daily influence in the lives of my LGBTQIA+ youth, taking my activism to my local LGBTQIA Non-profit in DC at the time. I started working with youth in my community who were experiencing homelessness. Forcing me to see the privilege I sat in daily. I started helping my LGBTQ youth get access to wrap-around services, including housing, food, health insurance, gender affirming care and more. It made me see that my community, my trans siblings, and the people who could not advocate for themselves were depending on me to do what my ancestors like Marsha P Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Ms. Major, and many others have done and continue to do, which is to be a voice to the voiceless.

How do you navigate self-care and resilience while doing advocacy in spaces that can often be emotionally taxing or hostile?

This was so hard for me in the beginning. Struggling with being a people pleaser and an overachiever, I almost ran myself into the ground. Once I had an eye-opening experience forcing me to take care of myself first, I permitted myself to do it daily. I remind myself daily that I am the most important person in my life. I take my daily assessment of what I need and intensify my self-care and practice unconditional self-acceptance. Whatever it looks like that day for me. Whether it’s resting, reading a book, eating junk food (In moderation) or watching some thoughtless TV. I remind myself that if I don’t do IT (whatever it is) that it won’t get done.

While working in advocacy, what’s one thing that takes it from 0-100 real quick?

People are being mean. I can’t stand mean people. Whether it’s to my TGNC siblings, LGBTQ family or to any human being.

I love your “I’m Clockable” IG videos. Have you ever thought about turning that into a podcast?

I have actually. I am currently looking for brand sponsorships and partnerships as we speak to bring that to life. I am open to taking meetings and making it happen. Let the Universe align with what is for me.

Do you believe it’s space for everyone in certain spaces? As a black woman of trans experience, do you have advice for a young woman looking for that community?

Unpopular opinion, I think it should be space for everyone. I hear you when you say certain spaces, which makes me want to ask questions, but the short answer for me is… Yes, with conditions.
Visit your local LGBTQIA+ Non-Profits, and CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) and get involved (to your level of comfort). Get to know the people and introduce yourself to them. Many people are living these public lies and private truths, so we are afraid people will see the “real us”. Let people get to know you, and you get to know them. That’s how you build community.

You had a guest role on The Chi. Can you tell us how important it is for visibility in pop culture spaces? We also had POSE and HOUSE ON FIRE tell us why these shows were needed, especially during this administration.

Black Trans Women need to be visible in pop culture. We are in the world doing normal human things daily. Pop culture reflects the world we live in and ALL the humans in it. When I tell you that the overwhelming number of my trans siblings who have reached out and said “Thank you” to me was mind-blowing. They thanked me for being a role model for them. For being a reflection of the dreams they have for themselves. I’m truly grateful.

Shows like POSE, House On Fire, Clean Slate and the small number of programs that show Trans women simply being human are vital during this administration, specifically because it humanizes our lives. When ALL Media highlight Black Trans bodies being an Actor, a singer, the President of a company, a nurse, a parent, friend, sibling, or neighbor, it reminds America we are human too. When Black Trans Women are platformed with equitable opportunities, THE WORLD is a better place. We are Mothers to the motherless, a safe place of shelter to the unhoused. WE are where the outcast, the misfits, the unloved come to be nurtured and loved back to life.

Photo Credit by Shawn Mason (IG: Shawneeshoots) and Kollin Benson (IG: KollinBenson_)