Celebrating Juneteenth + Pride at the NYC premiere of American Problems, Trans Solutions
Black trans people are among the most marginalized of marginalized Americans. But those closest to the nation’s most pressing problems are often able to craft innovative solutions.
Award-winning journalist Imara Jones, founded TransLash Media when she felt that Trans success stories were not being uplifted in media in the right ways. She partnered with The WNET Group’s Chasing the Dream initiative to travel across the country to tell the stories of three Black trans leaders on the frontlines of change: housing advocate Kayla Gore; Breonna McCree, a champion for economic empowerment; and Oluchi Omeoga, who fights for the rights of migrants.
Despite a record-breaking number of anti-trans bills passed in 2023, these Black trans people are addressing critical issues surrounding economic empowerment and human dignity with heart and vision.
Watch the broadcast on PBS WORLD’s Local, USA June 24 at 9/8c.
The premiere event was held at WNYC’s Greene Space on Juneteenth, a symbolic gesture to honor the ongoing work of the three Black trans leaders that are featured in the film.
Jones shared, “Juneteenth is a celebration. It marks time when last enslaved people of African descent the in U.S. learned they were free. We don’t celebrate the first day that they were free… We celebrate the last day that enslaved people were free. The reason is the simple notion – and it is a deep understanding that enslaved people know… that no one is free until everyone is free.”
She added, “What I think is so powerful is that Breonna, Kayla and Oluchi live that principle of Juneteenth every day of their lives and devote themselves to the notion that until the most marginalized people become free, no one is free. This is why we’re centering these stories on Juneteenth.”
In a talkback after the film, Breonna McCree shared, “Stepping back from the depths of work and watching it invigorates me to do this work. I felt tired of this, but watching this gives me hope. In the work, you lose yourself in the work. But to see it and reimagine what I do makes me want to continue to do this, so thank you for that.”
Oluchi Omeoga added about seeing himself on the big screen for the first time ever, “I’m very grateful seeing not only all the things that I have done, but what my comrades on stage have done. The brilliance of Black trans leadership- I know it theoretically- but to see it… It’s something we’re not really shown. We’re 3 of 1,000’s of Black trans leaders who are not visible in ways that we should be. It’s surreal but I am humbled.”
For Kayla Gore, the premiere marked a personal moment of celebration. She said, “Seeing us on big screen is important and amazing. Hearing the impact stories from residents, it’s like music to my ears that we’re really getting it right.”
“The stories that we tell signify what we think matters in this country. The stories that we tell shape what we see as important.”
Imara Jones
Jones asked the three guests: “Why did you trust your story with someone else when there has sometimes been a sense of betrayal?”
Omeoga asked himself, “’Why do you want me?’ It was less about trusting you – with all of the amazing narratives you have done. I needed a re-trusting in myself and my own leadership. A vulnerable moment was having my family be in the documentary. Trusting that was a hurdle for me. My immigration work is siloed. So it was a ‘come together’ moment for my family to hear about the work that I do [in the film].”
Jones emphasized the need for legislative change for trans folks. With election season coming up, she asked what the three of them would say if they had all of their political leaders in one room.
“I’d tell them that you are the problem,” McCree said, adding, “The patriarchal system is the problem. But, if you’re able to shift foundation for those who are most marginalized, you lift up everyone.” She went on to describe that more economic opportunities for Black trans people opens up doors for others like them: “We’re all creating the Underground Railroad for Black and Brown Trans people. Let’s keep this going.”
Regarding immigration, Omeoga says, “If you’re part of the problem, you need to be a part of the solution.”
The evening concluded with emotional remarks about the need for more stories about trans folks’ success, joy, and liberation.
“Our struggles are always shared. What doesn’t get shared is how we create community, how we love on each other, create family and survive together on the streets. I met a woman who saved my life on the streets. Those are the stories that need to be shared.”
Breonna McCree
“Our struggles are always shared. What doesn’t get shared is how we create community, how we love on each other, create family and survive together on the streets. I met a woman who saved my life on the streets. Those are the stories that need to be shared.”
“It’s therapy to share our stories,” Gore said, adding, “I would like to see more moments of joy and liberation that we don’t get to relish in. This broadcast is one of those moments. We need to see stories of lives changing.”
Watch the talkback on TransLash’s Instagram page.
To further support Imara Jones, Oluchi Omeoga, Breonna McCree, and Kayla Gore, share the film with your friends and family. And be sure to explore TransLash’s podcasts, articles, zines and films at their newly-launched website: translash.org
Share on social using the hashtag:
#AmericanProblemsTransSolutions
American Problems, Trans Solutions is a production of TransLash Media in association with The WNET Group’s Chasing the Dream initiative. Major funding for Chasing the Dream is provided by The JPB Foundation with additional funding from Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III.
