My name is Diamond Stylz™.  I’m a black, trans, Millenial activist.

I am the Executive Director of Black Trans Women Inc, a national non-profit that is led by Black trans women focused on social advocacy, positive visibility and building strong leadership among Black trans advocates, activists, and our allies. We host an annual empowerment conference with trans specific programming that draws from the U.S. and beyond.

I am the producer and creator of Marsha’s Plate podcast. It’s a podcast that knows that everybody can’t come to the cookout. It is hosted by three Black trans people exploring pop culture current events and our problematic nemesis from a black trans feminist lens. It was one of the only podcasts hosted and produced by black trans people. I am a board member of the Transgender Law Center, the largest national trans-led organization advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender-nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. I am a board member of A Call To Men, an org dedicated to working to transform society by promoting healthy, respectful manhood and offering trainings and educational resources for companies, government agencies, schools, and community groups.

I am originally from Indianapolis, Indiana but I live in the great city of Houston, Texas. I have a triumphant First amendment court case win on the books dating back to my 1999 high school years. This was a victory I’m very proud of because presenting who you on the inside and out is so important to anyone hoping to become an authentic presence in the world

I am also the first openly transgender woman to attend Jackson State University, a popular HBCU in the conservative Jackson, Mississippi. This was a very hostile environment where I honed my taste for activism. In college, I learned to maneuver in a place full of people that were not very enthusiastic about a trans woman being a part of the fabric of the student body. In that same place of hostility, I learned that I was also a beacon of light for individuals who wanted to stand outside the box and be themselves at the intersection of race and gender.

On ABC’s Soul of a Nation: Pride To Be Seen. Check it out on HULU

Diamond Stylz, Queerty Pride50 Honoree

https://content.jwplatform.com/previews/W9ARLELT

Diamond Stylz on CNN’s United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell

On ABC’s NightLine

My formal and informal education is focused on mental health, race, and gender. Though I love psychology, my passion is in the journalistic media and the arts. I am a writer, singer/songwriter, and a podcaster. Marsha’s Plate is a podcast of launch in 2017 where three friends come together every Thursday to share opinions and perspectives through a black transfolk’s lens. Hosted By Diamond Stylz, Mia Mix, and  LJ . All Houston-based digital strategist, black feminists, civil right advocates, and trans people of color.

After being a 10-year vet YouTuber with over  10,000 subscribers, almost 3 million views, I wanted to start a new platform. I started Marsha’s Plate in May of 2017 launched on October the 5th.  Podcasting is a beautiful medium that allows millions of people around the world to be exposed to real-life stories that they would not have had the chance to be heard 20 years ago. I can control my content, message, and imagery without the gatekeepers. Image control is something most marginalized people lack. Here on my blog, I am not a mockery or freak of nature. I’m a black trans woman sharing her life and community with the world. The internet gives me that control. I am proud to be in these positions and ventures because they are my contributions to the understanding of the LGBT community as a whole especially the transgender experience. I have been involved as a speaker radio shows, national events such as Pride events and conferences, and books.

I feel that the many struggles and situations I have been in have prepared me for my purpose in the world. That purpose is to share my life and stories to promote diversity and understanding in the subjects of race, gender, and, sexuality. I am positioning myself to be one of the premier voices and personalities of the LGBT community specifically the transgender community. I feel being true to my purpose will help me strengthen my faith in God, my ties in the transgender community, and overall understanding of the world. I feel like I am upward bound in this phase of my life. I know I cannot do this alone. I need my community like my community needs me. I am humbled by my past, grateful for my present, and hopeful about my future. Thank you for your time and please share with your friends. Now let us get into the meat and potatoes of this thing…Check out my blogs and writing >>>>>>>>>
Diamond Stylz™

Op-ed for Essence.com
Dave Chappelle Needs To Do Better

Essay for the Conversationalist
Toni Morrison’s novels taught me to see the world through a lens of compassion

Black Trans Women Like Me Are Dying in Texas Due to Political Games https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/9/23/black-trans-women-me-are-dying-texas-due-political-games

FEATURE ARTICLES

Autostraddle

https://www.autostraddle.com/six-black-trans-women-on-sending-abundant-overflowing-love-to-zaya-wade/

The Root

https://www.theroot.com/marsha-s-plate-trans-podcast-wants-to-liberate-all-blac-1841067290

Tretter Transgender Oral History Project

https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/item/p16022coll97:204?q=diamond+stylz

Ms Vixen Magazine

https://www.msvixenmag.com/www.msvixenmag.com//2019/06/episode-1-accidental-activist-w-diamond.html

OUTSmart Magazine

https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2021/06/a-sparkling-advocate/ 

https://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2020/03/marshas-plate-serves-it-up/

Colorlines

https://www.colorlines.com/articles/new-podcast-marshas-plate-wants-make-every-black-life-matter

The Heroines

http://theheroines.blogspot.com/2013/02/interview-with-diamond-stylz.html

Otherwise Christian

https://otherwisechristian.com/2020/02/24/diamond-stylz-on-supporting-black-transgender-women/

GUEST FEATURES 

Commonwealth Club of San Fransisco

https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2020-02-07/black-trans-women-finding-self-love

Tea with Queen and J. podcast

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tea-with-queen-and-j/e/54958190

Inner Hoe Uprising podcast

https://innerhoeuprising.com/episode-145-love-is-elusive-like-god

Queer WOD podcast

https://soundcloud.com/queerwoc/queerair

Sexually Liberated Woman

https://poddtoppen.se/podcast/1124567779/the-sexually-liberated-woman/43-sex-with-friends-diamond-stylz

WTFEMME podcast

https://www.wtfemmepodcast.com/episodes/episode-46-diamond-stylz

Mocha Minutes

https://mochaminutes.libsyn.com/mm94-its-time-for-a-conversation-series-pt-1-w-diamond-stylz

Veer Queer

http://www.mockingbirdnetwork.com/veerqueer/jxnnxy2kb8aww4x

Dr. Eric Cervini

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=769948130415431

Elizabeth Warren IG Take Over

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CCMQadInTWW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Gender Reveal Podcast

https://gender.libsyn.com/episode-85-diamond-stylz

BOOK CONTRIBUTION

OtherWise Christian 2: Stories of Resistance (OtherWise Christian series)

https://amzn.to/3exqd3m

Diamond Stylz is an experienced speaker and facilitator focusing on LGBTQ+ issues and history, trans-inclusive feminism, mental health, work discrimination, sex work decriminalization, black liberation, journalism, and activism. If you would like to request Diamond Stylz to speak or consult. You can email diamondstylz@gmail.com