It is with immense pride and gratitude that we announce the launch of the Flower Crown Project—a labor of love, and justice from Borealis Philanthropy’s Fund for Trans Generations.
Named in honor of Marsha P. Johnson—a queer and trans liberation activist, whose iconic flower crowns symbolizes unapologetic beauty and strength—The Flower Crown Project transcends traditional leadership development initiatives. Created in alignment with Borealis’ commitment to supporting leaders shifting our social, economic, and cultural systems toward greater equity and justice, the project nurtures the wisdom and leadership of Black trans femmes; curates a sacred and healing space for these leaders to exist in fellowship; and bolsters and aligns Black trans femme strategies for our collective liberation.
Anchored in the pillars of Compassionate Care (for self and others), Cultivation of Self, Cultural Perpetuity, and Unbridled Joy, the Flower Crown Project is structured to ignite transformation and impact, beginning with its inaugural cohort: The Tenacious Ten, a group of brilliant activists, agitators, and visionaries organizing at the intersections of housing accessibility, reproductive justice, legal advocacy, and Black mental health and wellness.
Please join us in celebrating each of these leaders, who are collectively building a world where safety, joy, and freedom is a guaranteed way of life for us all.
“I “am deeply invested in [trans-centered] workforce development and community health workers. Training the youth who want to do this work—and equipping them with the resources and education they need—is going to push us further. We, (trans leaders) are laying the groundwork for our future leaders to come in and continue the work we are doing.”
– Zahara Bassett
Zahara Bassett, Founder and Executive Director, Life is Work
Zahara Bassett is a nationally recognized leader and the visionary founder of Life is Work, a Black and Brown trans-led organization based in Chicago. Dedicated to uplifting trans women of color, Life is Work offers crucial services like housing, healthcare access, and employment support. Zahara’s leadership is rooted in her unwavering commitment to dismantling systemic inequities, especially for those living with HIV. Beyond direct services, her advocacy reaches into policy work aimed at eliminating discrimination against transgender people throughout the Midwest, driving transformative change at both the community and legislative levels.
“I wanted to empower my community. This can’t be all that life has to offer us. I know this life can be taxing. However, there is a rainbow after the rain.”— Iya Dammons
Iya Dammons, Founder and Executive Director, Baltimore Safe Haven
Iya Dammons is the driving force behind Baltimore Safe Haven. What began as mobile outreach from a van in 2018 has evolved into a lifeline for many—a permanent address that offers the very things Iya once needed: workforce development, assistance with name changes, clothing, showers, and a safe space. Under Iya’s leadership, Baltimore Safe Haven provides trans women of color with critical support as they navigate homelessness, violence, and survival sex work. As a Black trans woman, Iya’s own lived experiences deeply inform her work, allowing her to create a sanctuary for those who have been pushed to the margins. Today, Baltimore Safe Haven stands as a beacon for LGBTQ+ individuals, offering emergency housing, healthcare access, and harm reduction services, in service of a community where safety and dignity are not just ideals but realities.
“We do this because we believe in the work, in the community, and believe that people of trans experience, Black TGNC people, Black TQLGB+ people should have better communities, better ways of showing up—and a place to show up comfortably.” — Verniss McFarland
Verniss McFarland, Founder and Executive Director,
The Mahogany Project
Verniss McFarland founded The Mahogany Project in 2017 with a mission to reduce social isolation, stigma, and violence against Black trans women and other marginalized communities in Houston, Texas. Under Verniss’s leadership, The Mahogany Project has become the city’s only Black trans- and peer-led community center, providing essential services like emergency housing, case management, and a clothing and food pantry. The organization also nurtures healing and empowerment through activities such as art classes and community events. Verniss’s dedication to uplifting Black and Brown trans individuals is deeply personal, driven by both loss and a commitment to creating spaces where they are seen, supported, and celebrated. Through initiatives like Black Trans Empowerment Week, Verniss centers joy, resilience, and connection, ensuring that the trans community thrives.
“Remember, our bodies are an act of resistance—resisting all the laws that tell us that we can’t be who we are, taking away our care and trying to erase us from the history books.” – Breonna McCree
Breonna McCree, Co-Executive Director, The Transgender District
Breonna McCree leads The Transgender District in San Francisco, the world’s first legally recognized transgender cultural district. Her leadership centers on preserving the rich history, culture, and rights of trans individuals while creating new opportunities, especially for trans women of color. The District offers vital resources such as job training, housing advocacy, and community-building programs. Breonna’s dedication lies in building spaces where trans folks are not only visible but can truly thrive, fostering an environment that celebrates safety, empowerment, and joy for the entire trans community.
“People will see your body of work and celebrate that—but not understand that it’s a body that is doing the work that needs to be celebrated.” — Atlantis Narcisse
Atlantis Narcisse, Founder and Executive Director,
Save Our Sisters United, Inc
Atlantis Narcisse is the founder of Save Our Sisters United (S.O.S.U), an organization based in Houston that provides essential support and services to Black trans and cis women experiencing economic hardship, housing insecurity, and healthcare challenges. Through S.O.S.U, Atlantis has created a unique space where Black trans and cis women can connect, share their experiences, and support each other without the societal stigma often placed on their identities. Atlantis is also the Director of Programs at the Transgender Education Network of Texas, where she continues to break down barriers and uplift trans women of color, ensuring they not only survive, but thrive within their communities.
“The most important thing that you can do right now for trans folks and trans people of color is to realize that if you take care of Black trans women, you’ll take care of our entire Black community.” — Jaelynn Scott
Jaelynn Scott, Executive Director, Lavender Rights Project
Jaelynn Scott leads the Lavender Rights Project, a Washington-based nonprofit dedicated to providing legal and social services for Black trans and queer individuals. Drawing from her deep commitment to racial and gender equity, Jaelynn’s leadership focuses on dismantling systemic barriers that prevent Black trans women from accessing critical resources such as housing and legal protections. Under her leadership, the Lavender Rights Project offers legal representation, community-building programs, and policy advocacy—empowering those most marginalized within the Black trans community and ensuring they have the tools to thrive.
“I wanted to create a space where people could have the safety to self identify and give them the autonomous space that allows them to make plans for who they want to be in the future.” — Jasmine Taskai
Jasmine Tasaki, Executive Director, We Care Tennessee
Jasmine Tasaki is a visionary leader and community organizer dedicated to uplifting Black trans women in Memphis, especially those in sex work and impacted by drug use, through her organization, WeCareTN. As the first Black trans-led organization in Tennessee, WeCareTN is a lifeline for Black trans women, offering housing, healthcare access, and other essential resources to address the intersecting challenges of violence, housing insecurity, and systemic neglect. Jasmine centers her work on mutual aid, harm reduction, and healing justice, ensuring that trans women of color can move beyond survival and into spaces of nourishment and joy. Her advocacy extends into her roles as a PrEP navigator, HIV counselor, and a staunch advocate for sexual health and housing rights, continually pushing for the dignity and well-being of BIPOC trans folks.
“As Black trans leaders, sometimes we feel so siloed, in some instances we are the only ones working at these capacities in our cities. We all deserve our roses while we are here. It’s why our ancestors worked so hard.” — Ciora Thomas
Ciora Thomas, Founder and Executive Director, Sisters PGH
Ciora Thomas, founder of Sisters PGH, has dedicated her life to creating safe, affirming spaces for Black trans women and nonbinary folks in Pittsburgh. Motivated by her own experiences, she built Sisters PGH to address urgent needs like emergency housing and healthcare, while also tackling the root causes of systemic injustice. Ciora’s vision extends beyond immediate support—through People’s Pride PGH, she reimagines Pride to center the most marginalized in her community. As the first Black trans woman to serve on both Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA Advisory Council and Pennsylvania’s Commission on LGBT Affairs, Ciora continues to amplify the voices of trans folks in spaces where their voices are often underhead.
“I honor the resilience of my ancestors by living out loud, being unapologetically trans and unapologetically me. Also—you can never get to the top by yourself. Once you reach the top, remember to reach back and bring someone to the table with you.” – Mulan Williams
Mulan Montrese Williams, Community Outreach Coordinator,
Miracle of Love
Mulan Montrese Williams is a dedicated advocate for transgender women of color, serving as the Community Outreach at Miracle of Love in Orlando. Her work is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences and the belief that no one should face the struggles of healthcare access and survival alone. Through Divas in Dialogue, Mulan has created a sisterhood—a place where trans women of color uplift one another, sharing life skills and building a community where every voice is heard and valued. But her care extends beyond just formal programs. Mulan has also opened her own home as a safe haven for trans sex workers, offering not only essentials like condoms and clothing but also a space to feel seen, supported, and safe.
“One way to pour into Black trans folks is to bring us into spaces where we get to share our stories—you get to share our lessons, but not our stories. If we say we need something, we know from experience, so trust us to do this work.” —Toi Washington
Toi Washington, Founder and Executive Director,
Trans Women of Color Healing Project
Toi Washington is the founder and executive director of the Trans Women of Color Healing Project, a New Orleans-based organization offering mental health support, healing spaces, and leadership development for Black trans women. She has created an environment where Black trans women can heal, nourish their spirits, and build resilience. By focusing on holistic support—whether through mental health services, somatic healing, peer mentorship, or leadership development—Toi ensures access to the tools needed to navigate the challenges they face–created by and for BIPOC trans women. Her approach blends mutual aid, advocacy, and solidarity, amplifying the voices of the community and creating pathways for trans women of color to flourish.