Raquel Willis is dedicated to elevating the experiences and livelihood of Black transgender people across the nation through her story and work. As founder of Black Trans Circles, a project centered on creating healing justice spaces to work through anti-trans violence and oppression-based trauma for Black trans women in the South and Midwest, Willis has since entered her current role as the Director of Communications at the Ms. Foundation.

Willis tells PAPER and SOREL, “I think particularly for Black trans people, we fall through the cracks in social justice movement spaces, so it was important to figure out ways we could convene together, be able to articulate the violence that is happening within our communities, but also come up with solutions for safety, support and solace.”