Our Background
Our Mission
Our mission is to steward a just and vibrant arts, farm and educational culture to support the growth and creative expression of Black Queer & Trans people in Mississippi.
What We Witnessed
In December 2020, it was abundantly clear that there were no spaces or programs dedicated to stewarding a just and vibrant arts and educational culture for Black Queer & Trans people in Mississippi.
Since the 1980s, there has been Anti-Gay & Trans legislation introduced in Mississippi's legislature.
In the State of Mississippi, it is currently legal to: 1) discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people based on religion; 2) ban the "promotion of homosexuality" in schools especially in sex education which passed in response to the AIDS crisis in the 90's (and the preface to "Don't Say Gay" bills of today; and 3) prevent Transgender students from participating in sports activities consistent with their gender identity.
By Winter 2022, a local mayor attempted to ban all books with Gay & Trans subject matter in public libraries by withholding funding until the library got rid of them. This systemic and religious violence perpetuates a culture of silence and marginalizes the lives and aliveness of Trans & Queer People, and with the ongoing racial and gender discrimination history there in MS, there are minimal spaces and resources dedicated to Black Queer & Trans people.
There are currently less than 5 organizations dedicated to supporting Black Queer and Trans people and their focus is toward issues like homelessness, HIV & AIDS, and organizing against our legislature. While this is important and necessary work, it doesn't feed or support a thriving culture of Black Queer and Trans people, but solely focuses on the bare minimum of survival.
To this end, there must be a cultural shift and in order for this shift to happen, the arts, creativity, educational and entrepreneurial pursuits of Black Queer & Trans people must not only be acknowledged and advocated for but also invested in. Since December 2020, D and I have been fundraising to steward land where Black Queer and Trans people have safe places to gather as we create opportunities to legitimize our careers as artists and solidify safe spaces, so that we are not left to the whims of racist, homophobic, and/or transphobic business owners when we rent event halls.
Creating Culture Shift in Mississippi
The Sweet Magnolia Fund
The Sweet Magnolia Fund is the mutual aid fund where we provide $1,000 - $2,000 micro grants to Black TGNCQ & LGB artists in Mississippi with mediums that include but are not limited to visual, performance, food, film, dance, etc. So(u)lday Sunday is the quarterly event where grantees will showcase their talents in a space that centers their art with an audience who most need to see and experience this art–while this space creates opportunities for expansion. The Sweet Magnolia Fund is a mutual aid fund. TSMF has a mission to provide opportunities for Black Queer, Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, Lesbian, Gay, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Bisexual artists opportunities to further their artistic development to advance an inclusive and vibrant arts community as well as cultural shift in Mississippi.
So(u)lday
A twice a year celebration for Black Queer & Trans artists to express themselves to increase visibility, celebrate the cultural significance, and create safe spaces to bring awareness to and shift the blatant erasure and violence against Black LGBTQIA+ in and around Jackson, MS. The program was intended to be the beginning of a mutual aid fund in Mississippi specifically for Black Queer & Trans artists.
We've raised $10,000, in sponsorships for our first event held June 5, 2022, where 90% of those funds paid 12 Black Queer & Trans artists, entertainers, caterers, security, and videographer. This in addition to Jackson’s water crisis, in August 2022, it was clear that more resources dedicated to Black LGBTQIA+ people and artist beyond water bottles was needed as folks still had water bills and moving expenses. This birthed The Sweet Magnolia Fund, where we have provided $6,000 in emergency assistance in 2022.
