“This painting shows Ciora stopping the march to center Black Transgender people by asking white allies to form a supportive circle around them.”
iWitness
Artist's Note
Ciora was the first person I ever met who was transitioning gender. We met through the Lead Now Pittsburgh Leadership Cohort, which was designed for leaders to train, and rest, together. I remember Ciora was exhausted, and she often stepped away from workshops to support other Black Transgender people.
Then she shared news—she had received a grant to open a center for her organization, and she was ecstatic! I was so happy for her and asked if I could paint her picture. She agreed and we imagined it might be of her in her new space.
But a few weeks later her building had a fire. While she was busy figuring out a new way forward, I realized I shouldn’t be asking her to take time away from all she had to do. So instead I participated in a march she was leading on the Trans Day of Remembrance. This painting shows Ciora stopping the march to center Black Transgender people by asking white allies to form a supportive circle around them. Then, as part of a water libation ritual, Ciora called out the names of Black Transgender women who had been murdered. We repeated each name with her, honoring them together.
Jeffrey Dorsey
by Jeffrey Dorsey, Acrylic paint on 36×72″ canvas
Click painting to enlarge
Special thanks to Ciora for allowing inclusion of this painting in this exhibit. It will be donated to her and permanently housed at SistersPgh. Although Ciora chose not to participate in the audio portion of this project, her voice is not silent. As this painting depicts, she continues to work tirelessly to protect herself and other Black Transgender and gender non-conforming people.
Please help protect Black and Transgender people by making a generous donation to SisTersPGH.org. Thank you.