It is with immense pride and gratitude that we announce the launch of the Flower Crown Project—a labor of love, justice, and centering Black trans joy 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.

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.

Read the full article about centering Black trans joy at Borealis Philanthropy.