NBJC

WASHINGTON—Recently, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) celebrates the life and accomplishments of Monica Roberts, a revered transgender journalist, activist, and founder of the award-winning publication TransGriot.

Born in Houston, Texas on May 4, 1962, Monica began her transition in the early 1990s while working as a flight attendant and writing an LGBTQ+ column in Louisville, Kentucky. Her writing expanded from a local column to an internationally awarded blog known as TransGriot (https://bit.ly/3ncDR2B) focusing on representation of Black transgender women in the media and accountability in accurately covering their deaths. Her extensive and groundbreaking work for the transgender community cemented her status as a queer and transgender icon. Roberts was also a founding member of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, recipient of the coveted Human Rights Campaign John Walzel Equality Award, the Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity in the Movement, the Virginia Price Pioneer Award and an active supporter of the National Black Justice Coalition.

civil rights organization, reflected on Roberts’ legacy saying:

“Monica Roberts was a force. Her work forced mainstream media to consider how limited and problematic their coverage of trans issues had been at a time when trans folx’s were not at the forefront of any cultural or political conversations or movements. Anyone who was blessed to share space with Monica knows how powerful she was. I smile remembering how she was always clear in communicating her point and demonstrating extreme compassion for the people she loved. I am thankful for the many ways that she shapes how I move through the world as a Black male feminist who has the privilege of leading liberation work. I miss her.”

She persevered in spite of the challenges of her work.

“Monica put herself out there and with extremely high risk so that trans children can grow up in a world that loves and supports them for being who they are in a world they did not ask to be invited into,” said Johns. “There is so much work to be done at present to push against targeted attacks against trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming children and we have Monica

Jean-Pierre is currently the Principal Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President. Karine is a long-time advisor to President Biden, having served in senior communication and political roles in the Biden Administration, the Biden campaign, and to then-Vice President Biden in the Obama Administration.

Before joining the White House, she served as chief of staff for vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on the 2020 United States presidential campaign. In that capacity she was also the first out LGBTQ woman and first Black woman to hold that position, according to the Victory Institute.

Prior to her role on the campaign, she served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst. Jean-Pierre served as Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and as Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. She served as Southeast Regional Political Director for President Obama’s 2008 campaign, Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O’Malley for President, Campaign Manager for the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Initiative, and Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members in the New York City Council.

Previously, she worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics, pushing major companies to change their business practices, and is a published author. Born in Martinique and

Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a leading Black LGBTQ+/SGL