Social Justice, Health & Wellness Evening

Social Justice Health & Wellness Evening

6:30 - 8:30pm

O, Cinema

1130 Washington Ave

Join us for an important panel entitled Pride. Progress. Perseverance.

LGBTQIA+ populations have unique lived experiences partly defined by adversity, discrimination and harassment. Time and time again the LGBTQIA+ community has stood up against mistreatment, violence, and hostile legislation that focuses on one section of our community to invalidate their existence, which ends up impacting us all. Whether you wear one or all colors of the Rainbow, Queer, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Non-Binary, Gender Non-Conforming, Intersex, or if you are an Ally wanting to be involved, join us at this special panel led by a group of subject matter experts who will take the opportunity to address the increased levels of hate to offer inclusive and protective strategies to make all members of our community feel valued, respected, and fulfilled.

You are encouraged to ask questions of the panelists following the presentation.

SCHEDULE

6:00 - 6:30 pm: Doors open - mix and mingle 

6:30 – 7:45 pm: Panel discussion: Pride. Progress. Perseverance

7:45 pm – 8:15 pm: Question & Answer Session

8:15 pm – 8:30 pm: Networking/Photo opportunity

8:30 pm:  Event ends

Moderator:

Dr. Erica Jayne Friedman (They/She/He)

Director of Pride Center at ‍ Florida International University

Dr. Friedman welcomes all pronouns and is a social and personality psychologist and activist focused on LGBTQ+ issues from an intersectional, social justice lens. They advocate for people's right to self-determine their genders and orientations through research, education, and direct action. They disseminate this information through their work as the Associate Director of FIU's Pride Center and as the founder of Deviate 2 Elevate, a consulting business which seeks to provide individuals, organizations, and businesses with the confidence to better provide for and support LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and loved ones. They are also a part of the House of Milan in the Miami Ballroom Scene, co-leading a movement for increased representation of gender non-conforming categories in the Ballroom community worldwide.

Panelists:

Jasmine McKenzie (She/Her)

Founder | CEO

The McKenzie Project, Inc. - https://www.themckenzieproject.org/

Jasmine McKenzie was born and raised in Miami, Florida. A veteran community activist she founded, in February 2020, a Black trans-led and Black trans-focused organization The McKenzie Project, Inc to largely focus on black transgender and nonbinary individuals in Miami who are facing homelessness and engaging in survival sex work. In 2021, Jasmine was awarded the “Changemaker Award” by the National LGBTQ Task force gala. On June 4, 2022, she was recognized as a local leader doing extraordinary HIV advocacy work for HIV Long Term Survivors. As a mother, aunt, grandma, business-owner, advocate, long-term HIV Survivor and pillar and voice of her community, she is passionate about making sure that other Black transgender and nonbinary bodies have a safe and amazing future. Jasmine is also an active and engaged member of the South Florida Ballroom community and serves as the mother of The Iconic and Legendary House of Ebony and is the Co-Chair for Trans Pride Fort Lauderdale.

Jan Moore (She/Her)

Founder

Narwhal Magic Kindness https://www.narwhalmagickindness.org/

Jan Moore is the parent of a 13-year-old transgender daughter who shared her truth just five days past her 5th birthday. As Moore embarked on this beautiful journey with her family, she realized the immediate need for advocacy. Together with her daughter, Moore founded Narwal Magic Kindness, a nonprofit organization that provides education to parents, teachers, and medical professionals on the beauty of gender diversity.  Narwhal Magic Kindness envisions a world in which the marginalized transgender & gender-expansive community is empowered to live their vital, authentic, healthy lives and are free from violence now and for the future.

Jan is the author of Transgender Healthcare: A Roadmap for Parents of Young Children and a children’s book Be You Bravely. She has also been a featured speaker for the Centers for Disease Control 911 initiative, a featured book-reader for the Human Rights Campaign's National Day of Reading, and was interviewed for the Phluid Project, speaking about the joy of parenting a child who identifies as transgender. Her books can be purchased on Amazon.

Katrice Leach (She/Her)

Lilly Ann Velez (She/Her)

Executive Board Member & Secretary for Miami Beach Pride

Former Board Member for Trans Collaborative Network

Operations Manager @ Amazon

As an advocate for trans rights, Lilly is committed to sharing her life and experience to provide support to other people of trans experience during their journey.