The Monica Roberts Freedom School Black Trans Leadership Cohort (MRFS) was founded by Daroneshia Dunkin-Boyd (she/her) is coming close to the closing of applications for this upcoming cohort! The last day to apply is July 15th. That’s TOMORROW! You must like their facebook page and complete the application.
TransGriot is proud to support efforts to continue the legacy of Monica Roberts. We invited Daroneshia on TransGriot Weekly after hearing from Daroneshia the founder we thought why not hear from the student leaders? Student Leaders are exactly that, leaders that are doing the work or looking to step up into leadership and become students of the cohort. We put the call out and got immediate responses! We asked them the three questions and they totally delivered! For myself as one of the instructors at the Monica Roberts Freedom School I’m so proud to be a part of a cohort that is empowering and educating Black Trans Leaders and I’m sure Monica would be proud too!
These are their responses in no specific order.
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I have followed Monica Roberts on fb and had a few message exchanges, I loved the advocate and activist she had done. Plus I felt it would be an amazing opportunity to learn from some great instructors. Also to network with my fellow students.
What was one of the highlights of the experience? The knowledge I have gained from the cohort instructors was so uplifting. The courage that was instill in me. And last but not less the bond of new sisters and brothers that was formed.
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? In life we are giving opportunities to enhance our chances to be better and this cohort was it for me. It’s a chance to learn myself and work on things to be better for the community I always say doing community work is always willing to learn as the needs of the community changes.
Kimberly J.
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I applied for MFRS because I felt alone being a Black Trans Man in an white society. I have made a world in Iowa. It can feel lonely at times and I wanted to be around like minded people.
What was one of the highlights of the experience? The highlight of this experience was connecting with my classmates beyond zoom calls. Having a chance to network and bounce creative ideas around. Being seen was at the top of my list for this experience.
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I would tell someone that may be second guessing applying to the MRFS to… DO IT NOW!! What are you waiting for? Time waits for no one…go and be great!! Opportunities really are endless.
Mook B.
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I applied for the MRFS because I wanted to be a better black transgender woman and better advocate for my community. I saw my mother take this cohort and I saw how much it helped her continue the work in our community. Which made me do my research and see what MRFS offers for myself.
What was one of the highlights of the experience? One of my highlights of this experience was to travel and meet my lifetime siblings . I’ve never had the luxury to fly to a different state, let alone fly! I was sooo scared but it was a pot of gold at the end. Meeting all these people who are just like myself made me not want to leave them. We bonded soon as we seen one another. Lifetime sisters and brothers!
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I would tell someone who’s second guessing about applying for MRFS to JUST DO IT! I made history in the MRFS as the youngest to graduate being that I’m 24 years old. Never second guess yourself, anything you want can be obtained. You won’t regret this learning and advocacy experience! –
Marlo K.
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I applied to the MRFS to find out more of who I am as a Black Trans leader and to push myself beyond my comfort zones. I felt the need and want to be led, encouraged and connected to the magnificent and resilient black trans leaders and minds across this nation. I also want to be a part of change and in order for that to happen I have to continue to be the change that I wish to see.
What was one of the highlights of the experience? One of the Highlights of this experience was the in person connections that I made once we as a class were able to meet face to face for graduation weekend. It was in no comparison to being in front of a computer for 8 months in front of one another. Meeting our instructors and being able to not only give them their flowers but to also receive some flowers in return felt amazing. To look around the entire weekend and be witness to the black trans joy and Liberation that comes from being seen, made me especially happy and proud.
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? To anyone second guessing applying to the MRFS I say, don’t let self doubt place you in a cage of fear! Believe in yourself and everything that is written; destined and purposed for you! The only way to birth the leader within you is to first plant the seed. Be intentional with yourself; you of all people deserve it. ✨️ 🖤🏳️⚧️
Sincere P.
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I applied to the Monica Roberts freedom school to become a better version of myself. When witnessing the other classes who graduated ,and the change they made i knew this was a program i wanted to be apart of. As trans leaders and trans individuals there is not alot of opportunities for us so when i found out this was a safe space just for us i knew i had to be apart of it‼️
What was one of the highlights of the experience? One of the highlights for me was having our graduation ceremony in Las Vegas Nevada i had never been and always wanted to go so to be granted the opportunity was amazing. Another highlight for me was i learned so much more about myself that i didn’t already know. Being able to learn better ways and leadership skills that i can use in my community was definitely worth the journey. I absolutely loved meeting other people of trans experience like myself, being able to network and share ideas that we all can benefit from is something that doesn’t happen on a daily and at the mrfs i was able to do that and much more.
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I would tell anyone who is having second thoughts about attending mrfs to do it its a life changing experience and you will regret not taking advantage of this amazing program! It doesn’t stop After graduating this experience connected me with life long peers and mentors that i will forever be connected with! The change starts with us and if were not willing to take the initiative we cant complain ! Mrfs set me up for success and also gave me the tools and resources i needed to become even more successful in my life and community and I’m so grateful i was selected to be a graduate of the class of 2023!
Amore H.
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I’ve actually wanted to get in a year ago, timing is everything. And everything happens for a reason. I’ve heard nothing but great things about MRFS and love to learn and see black and brown trans men and woman on nothing but positively.
What was one of the highlights of the experience? One of the most highlight of my experience was meeting people like myself and creating bonds. I love my class and instructor. We developed a bond that will never be broken
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? ABSOLUTELY!!! Already done and been doing so even before I graduated. I’m beyond proud
Vonzell H.
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I chose to apply and attend the MRFS because our what it represented for me as a Black Trans Woman working in Advocacy and as an activist! Monica Roberts was a fearless outspoken trans woman who was one of the pioneers who help paved the way for Black Trans Folks in Journalism and in life. Her school named in her honor was the embodiment of uplifting the generation of leaders in this country and it provided a sense of belonging and home! It is meant to help develop our leadership skills while fostering a coalition of Black Trans Folks doing community work across the United States.
What was one of the highlights of the experience? One of my highlights was being able to deliver the commencement speech as the valedictorian of my graduating class of student leaders. It was important to me to leave them with some gems that would help them along the way. I also enjoyed getting to meet most of them in person and the camaraderie that we built is going to stay with me for a lifetime and I’m so glad to have gotten the privilege and opportunity to share space with them all!
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I would tell anyone who is contemplating about applying for MRFS to not walk but run to this opportunity. If it is anything like my experience, it’s definitely something you don’t want to miss for sure !
Yasmine P
Why did you apply to attend the Monica Roberts Freedom School? I had just stepped back into advocacy work and I was desperately seeking a connection with my community.
What was one of the highlights of the experience? The highlight for me was seeing all those beautiful faces on my computer screen. It felt like home. It gave me a feeling of community. I was hesitant because I felt like I was out of the loop I had been gone for a while.
What would you tell someone that’s second guessing to apply for the Monica Roberts Freedom School? Please don’t miss this opportunity. I carry the lessons with me in my work and have made new friends that have impacted the way I see the future for our trans community.
Joseph A.
