During Black History Month, the mainstream media recycles stories about Martin Luther King and Malcolm X while LGBTQ outlets predictably trot out RuPaul, Bayard Rustin, Laverne Cox, and other examples of great African-Americans with whom we’re already well acquainted.
Over the next week, we’re going to spotlight a few amazing black unsung heroes.
These people are leaders, journalists, and activists who span the entire African diaspora (i.e., not only Americans).
Next up, transgender CEO and Executive Director of TransTech Social Enterprises Angelica Ross
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
It’s not often enough that we hear about trans women taking over the tech world, but that’s exactly what Angelica Ross is doing.
As the founder, CEO and Executive Director of TransTech Social Enterprises, she’s empowering other people in the LGBTQ community (particularly the T) to get involved in the tech industry by breaking down some of the barriers to entry.
She helps get trans people jobs and training in the graphic and web design industry, and was profiled in the MSNBC Originals video above.
She’s also a motivational speaker for LGBTQ and business oriented audiences, and has taken her message of diversity and inclusion across the country.
Ross is an actress too, because of course she is, and studied theatre at Florida Atlantic University before getting into the tech industry. She recently completed season 1 of Her Story, a webseries that looks at dating from the perspective of trans and queer women.
Her website is missross.com (gotta love the diva references), and we definitely recommend you check it out. We’re looking forward to seeing more of her on the tech beat or on the big and small screens soon!
Christopher Hayward
She is hot.
Glücklich
Good for her. I like this. Miss Ross focusing on transfolk getting into mainstream business in a lucrative field instead of *just* focusing on discrimination, mistreatment, and marching about with placards, none of which pays the bills.
See also Amy Stanning and Sionice Ross, both of Barclays.
Thad
Where does she work? Is Ms. Ross still in Florida?
Other than that omission, I like these “people doing extraordinary things” articles.
Bob LaBlah
Dear, I give you a standing ovation. I have suggested to many people who went on and on about being discriminated against on job after job to do this: learn a skill that will ALWAYS be in demand. Sounds crazy and I bet the first thing one thought about were computer skills but no, your wrong.
The coldest/hottest/most miserable day of the year is when you come home tired, hungry and want to simply relax only to discover the heating/air conditioning/plumbing/electricity has suffered a serious misfire and requires IMMEDIATE attention. It happens every where and every day all across the country, regardless of community, income bracket….once you arrive with your certifications in hand trust me, you will NOT be turned away and if you are there is going to be a serious debate between the family as to whether it is a wise idea to look at gender identification over getting a serious household problem fixed. This is America where no one likes inconvenience, especially in the home.
As long as you have a needed skill, you will ALWAYS work. Trade schools turn down no one as long as a grant is involved and the reason most fail out of trade schools is because they do not use the resources that are offered. Community colleges are another good source of learning trade skills and they as well as trade schools have a majority of students who come under the Pell Grant, which covers the cost of all materials needed and does not have to be repaid. All you have to do is study on what it is you want to do.
One must learn to not only love oneself but also learn to do for self. Instead of walking into a bar trying to make all heads turn because you are the hottest thing life was place in try walking into that bar and seeing paying customers who need your skills. The gay community is loaded with homeowners who might turn to YOU first.
You go, Miss Ross. You are instilling the right idea in the heads of the young and lost. There is a way out, you just have to find it. I do find it sad it was not noted what city and state you are in. Where ever it is it looks cold, which gave me the trade school thought.
Kieran
Let’s hope she doesn’t get murdered.
JPinNC
Great cause, but would this story have been written if she wasn’t beautiful?
Glücklich
@Thad:
Even better, people doing *practical* things.
Bob LaBlah
Or better yet people doing HONEST things that can be verified that they are qualified to do. Verified as in a face along with the “license” that they can produce.
A “master of the universe” is not practical and the smart ones never let on that thats what they are. Or should I say that are legit don’t.
Kangol
Fierceness. She’s blazing a path. Thank you for running this post, Queerty.