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Triple Challenge: Navigating Being Black, Trans, and Pregnant in Healthcare

  In the healthcare landscape, there exists a unique but often overlooked intersection – being black, trans, and pregnant. These individuals navigate a complex matrix of challenges, often facing systemic barriers and personal biases that impact their healthcare experiences. Black, trans, and pregnant individuals frequently encounter significant disparities in healthcare. These range from systemic racism and transphobia to specific issues such as inadequate access to knowledgeable prenatal care. Many healthcare providers lack the necessary training and understanding to adequately support these patients, leading to experiences of discrimination and inadequate care. A significant barrier in addressing these issues is the lack of comprehensive data. Research on black trans pregnancies is scarce, resulting in a profound gap in understanding and awareness among healthcare professionals. This data gap not only affects the quality of care provided but also hinders the development of effective
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Navigating the Intersectionality of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Black Transgender Men in the Workforce

Introduction The pursuit of a fair and just society demands an unwavering commitment to recognizing and addressing the diverse challenges faced by marginalized communities. Among the most vulnerable groups are Black transgender men, who often encounter barriers to equitable pay, promotions, and representation in the workforce. Achieving true inclusivity requires acknowledging the intersectionality of their identities and working towards dismantling systemic discrimination. This article explores the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in fostering a more equitable work environment for Black transgender men. Understanding Intersectionality Intersectionality, a concept coined by KimberlΓ© Crenshaw, refers to the interconnected nature of social identities, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class. For Black transgender men, the convergence of racial and gender identities creates unique experiences and challenges. Intersectionality helps us understand how the intersections

Surrender and Let God Be God

Goooood Morning Beloveds!! Happy Happy Happpyyyyyy Friday! 😁 I hope your week has been ALL you set out for it to be! If not, guess what? Today is a NEW DAY and you can END the week with intention and finish strong! πŸ’― πŸ’ͺ🏼  Today, I want to encourage you to KNOW that it is absolutely ok πŸ‘ŒπŸΌ to surrender (to cease resistance). Whatever the circumstance, it’s ok to surrender.  ✅ Releasing resistance can instantly (if we allow it) remove frustration, disappointment, tension, and stress. What you do when you surrender is the KEY.  ✅ Surrendering is not the same as quitting, in my humble opinion. Or, maybe it is. πŸ€” Really doesn’t matter. What matters is relinquishing control over the circumstance and outcome.  It also matters what you do when you surrender.  ✅ Standing (have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet) still is key. And that’s what I wanna encourage you to do today. To #Stand. That’s it. Stand. Just, stand. God will tell you if and when it’s time to move

Sunset Reflections 8-11-2020

 Sunset Reflections... I was in Frankfurt, Germany working the night shift. Talking with a coworker of mine about President Bush, I believe, it was 2003/4.  We talked about 1. The possibility of a Black president in our lifetime, and 2. The possibility of a female president in our lifetime. Little did we know, President Obama would be inaugurated just 4 years later... I remember the evening clearly...I sat in my living room in front of the television waiting for the announcement of our newly elected President. I remember the class, grace, and dignity that embraced the stage as the newly elected President, First Lady, and their two beautiful children walked to the front of the stage in Chicago, IL (only about 90 minutes from my hometown in Milwaukee, WI). I was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama at the time. I remember passing confederate flags, conversing about the meaning of the flags, and the roots of its origin in the south. I was one of two black officers in my leadership class. I wa

Sunset Reflections...

 Sunset Reflections... I remember the first time I was getting ready to board an international flight. I believe it was November of 2003. I was headed to Frankfurt, Germany. I spoke with my Papa Freddie because I was a little scared as I had never traveled outside the country before. His voice calmed me. ❤️ I also remember my Mama telling me to, “Always be Kind and Always say Thank You” just before I boarded the plane. I can still hear her voice telling me now as if it were yesterday. ❤️ As I navigated military life in Europe for the next several months that then turned into years, I was able to hear Mama’s voice saying, “Always be kind and always say thank you.” So much so that it was noticed that I ALWAYS said thank you, like a lot! Lol And kindness became, and has become, my way of life. ❤️🌟 As a man of trans experience, I spent time early in my transition navigating the thought of how I’d show up in the world. I wondered if I needed to change and be less expressive as it relates t