4 minute read
Sisters 4 Sisters Black Women & HIV Services
The Black Women’s Health Imperative (Washington, DC) has announced its new program Sisters 4 Sisters, a mental health and advocacy support group for Black women living with HIV in the U.S. South.
The program, launching in late August, will provide monthly support for women focused on improving mental health, creating a network of support, and learning to advocate for adequate community responses to HIV. The yearlong encounter group will include therapists, social support persons and advocacy trainers. Zenzilé’s Way Consulting’s principal consultant, Giovanni N. Dortch, will lead the advocacy training. Dortch is a graduate of the Political Science (BA ‘98) and Women’s Studies (MALS ‘04) programs of the University of Memphis. She has worked as the collegiate and policy lead for the Atlanta based organization, HER Initiative, for the last five years. She has also designed trainings, hosted panels and spoken widely on the importance of political participation and government responses by and to marginalized groups.
With a maximum of ten participants per encounter group, BWHI hopes to lay a foundation for future HIV activism and investment in Memphis– a city that was recently on the top ten list of sites of new HIV diagnoses in the US. Program coordinator Nakesha Powell states, “We are happy to continue destigmatizing and prioritizing the needs of Black Women living with HIV in the South, and look forward to planting the seeds of change for the women of Memphis, TN.” Participants will receive a stipend, and can join the Sisters 4 Sisters program by emailing Thrive@ LadeiaJoyce.com.
Zenzilé’s Way Consulting is a communications consulting firm headquartered in Memphis TN. For interviews or photo opportunities - contact, Giovanni N. Dortch at contact@ZenzilesWay.com
Contact: Giovanni Dortch, Principal Consultant
Phone: 318-936-9453
AMIYAH SCOTT
is an American actress, model, author, and LGBTQ advocate, best known for her role as Cotton on Lee Daniels’ STAR on FOX. With this role Amiyah became the first Transgender Regular on Network TV. In addition to modeling and acting, Amiyah made her mark when she was a teenager by pioneering the New Orleans underground ballroom scene.
CREDITS
iRoq photography @iroqsavage
Makeup: King Artez @king.artez
Hair/ Shambrey hair @shambreyhair
Q: What advice would you offer to other rising transgender/LGBTQ+ stars about the promise and the peril of using their platforms with both dignity and caution while opportunity and representation in mass media remains as limited as it does?
I would say to always be authentic. Many times, as trans people we’re expected to tiptoe, minimizing ourselves in order to be digestible. To me, it’s best to always be yourself, be strong and be proud. The right opportunities will come.
Q: What has been the biggest hurdle for you as a Trans Woman? Everything. I fight for my respect and to live my life as I am daily. In this country my existence is questioned and threatened. I can only hope that one day trans people won’t have to fight for basic human rights.
Q: Given the great deal of speaking and activism you devote to the subject of bullying, what are some ways that bullying, and its impacts seem to have perhaps changed (and haven’t) since what you endured as an adolescent, compared to what today’s adolescents encounter across so many new forms of media and communication?
Unfortunately, the world will never be ignorance-free. Social media can be a gift & curse, but once you learn to notlet the “hate” get to you, it can also be a beautiful thing. You can find support, your tribe. Community has also been so important then & now. I’ve never been one to care what people think of me, but my heart goes out to those who are struggling with bullying. It’s sad that people feel they have to bring others down in order to make themselves feel better and my prayers go out to those who may have lost someone to bullying.
Q: What’s the most valuable lesson that you’ve learned and strive to pass along to others about self-esteem and self-acceptance? Self-love is the foundation for pretty much everything. The way you love yourself sets the tone for how others love you. Love yourself. Be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You’re learning every day.
Q: In retrospect, what were some of the gifts and curses of your time navigating your acting career— expectations, disappointments, wins, losses, challenges, lessons?
Looking back, that was such an amazing time in my life. Every day I woke up excited for what’s next. By it being my first acting experience, I made it my main priority. Putting my influencer life on the back burner. If anything, I do wish I would’ve incorporated the two more but acting isn’t easy and I wanted to put my all into it and I’m proud of myself and my performance. Star changed my life, and I created memories and friendships that I’ll cherish forever. It taught me anything is possible, because I remember watching empire weekly, and little did I know star would be next and I would be in it.
Q: What can your fans expect from you in your next season?
I’ve honestly been enjoying some much needed me-time. Traveling, dating, spending time with family… I have still been doing some acting… I made a cameo on a show called "Sugarbaby." I played a character named Ali, that was tons of fun and I’m the lead in the episode “Human” from a series called ‘SNAP’ that will be airing on AMC+ at the end of the year that I’m very excited about. But you can occasionally catch me on your timeline being the BAD BITCH that I am.
IG @kingamiyahscott
Website: www.theamiyahscott.com
