"My child's life is my ACCOUNTABILITY"

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to disrupt the systems that marginalize, shame, silence and illegitimize the lives of trans and non-binary youth, especially in our Black and Brown communities.

#blacklivesmatter

#protecttranslives

#transrightsarehumanrights

#transmale

#transfemale

#nonbinary

#supporttranslit

#readlgbtqia+lit

#ourchildrenknowthemselves

#blacktrans

#BIPOC

#mychildwillnotbeerased

#proudblackmomoftranshumanbeing

#gaytransqueernonbinaryhuman

#parentsoftranschildrenareparentstoo

#factsoverfear

#politiciansloveliesnotfamilies

#teacherskeepdoingyourjobs

nadeen (she/her) - who is also known as  mothasistah - is a powerful work in progress. after 30 years of service in education, she decided to alter her teaching rationale when her youngest child bravely challenged everything nadeen thought she knew about parenting, about people, about herself.  

nadeen's child told her that the doctors got it wrong: her sex-assigned daughter was actually her son.  nadeen's child introduced himself to her - which included a new language, a new mindset and facts vs fiction.

now, nadeen is actively unlearning, exploring and "righting the wrongs" as it relates to the "othering" of trans human beings - especially as it relates to Black and Brown "family" - by unapologetically speaking on and writing about it for the masses.  

Life...According to Z

mothasistah's children's book series written from the  perspective of a prepubescent, Black, trans boy who introduces himself to his mother, for the first time, at the age of 7. this series chronicles real family triumph and joy over daily life challenges, including family disharmony, harassment/physical threats from peers and the constant rejection of the larger community.

Author Appearances

book and poetry readings

panelist / keynote deliverer

book fairs/pop-up events

Education Consulting

facilitator (minimum of 90 minutes)

30-minute free consultation to discuss -

 staff / teacher training

 curriculum creation

 school handbook modification

 family-school mediation/advocacy

 family mediation

 family-doctor mediation/advocacy

*costs for services discussed during consultation

“The Gender & Sexuality Development Program at CHOP has been excited to partner with Nadeen on multiple trainings for local school districts around supporting transgender and gender expansive students. The passion and professionalism that she brings to each training makes learning about tough topics easy and digestible and it is truly an honor to work alongside her.”

Samantha King, MSW, MEd
she/her/hers

Manager of Education Initiatives
Gender & Sexuality Development Program
CHOP

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is committed to providing the best and most compassionate care to the patients and families we serve. We look forward to working with our newly elected officials and continuing to advocate for policies that protect comprehensive healthcare for all children, inclusive of their gender identity. We fully support our colleagues in the Gender & Sexuality Development program and will continue to ensure that our patients and families have access to the highest quality care.

The Gender and Sexuality Development Program offers psychosocial and medical support for gender nonconforming, gender expansive and transgender children and youth up to age 21 and their families. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in gender identity development from Social Work and Family Services, Adolescent Medicine, Endocrinology, and Behavioral Health. We work with your family to best meet the needs of your child or youth who is transgender or gender nonconforming. We also provide consultation and training for providers and organizations interested in learning how to better serve the needs of gender nonconforming youth. 

Learn more about the Gender and Sexuality Program

Dr. Shaashawn, she/her pronouns, is the Founder of Voycetress Media, LLC (www.Shaashawn.com) which provides consulting services via public speaking, professional development, and voice over services.  Voycetress Media, LLC believes there are no quick solutions to an organization’s diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging growth (wherever individuals and the organization are on the spectrum); solutions are multilayered and require the investment of resources continuously. Voycetress Media, LLC puts your voice in the foreground by: (1) creating spaces welcoming to multiple identities instead of a primary hierarchic identity, and (2) promoting diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, justice, belonging while advocating for the closing of systemic disparity gaps and inequities. In addition to workshop facilitation, Shaashawn is a voiceover artist - producing commercial voiceovers, documentary narration, audio books, technical voiceovers like e-learning modules and professional voicemail services. Voycetress Media, LLC has been a LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE) certified business by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLLC) and currently seeking recertification. Shaashawn is the author of two books: Acquired Taste of Love: Spice Filled Poems to Please Your Palate and Estrogen in the Atmosphere (2014) and a spoken word CD titled VOYCEMAIL (2010). 

It's a matter of life or death for our transgender and gender-diverse youth and adults.  NOW is the time to counter the nonsense.

ALLY: voicing support; standing alongside individuals within a marginalized community, but not necessarily doing the work or taking responsibility. Heeding correction and direction.

ACCOMPLICE: taking a risk of status, well-being or reputation by using one's power and privilege to challenge injustices; not adding insult to injury by "taking over" or thinking that the disenfranchised need to be led. Heeding correction and direction.

CO-CONSPIRATOR: Doing the heavy lifting - publicly participating in acts that risk name, reputation and/or comfort; actively engaging in the work and simultaneously using your privilege to elevate communities by following their lead - not exploiting the community. Heeding correction and direction.

Our children deserve to be:

seen.

defended.

believed.

protected.

affirmed.

respected.

embraced.

heard.

celebrated.

included.

loved.

It's their human right.  

Stand up and speak out - especially when the room is silent. 

Z introduced himself to his mom through the pages of a simple journal, where questions led to answers - where feelings led to realizations and pain led to a closer relationship between Mom and Son. 

We look forward to bringing you an amazing journal like the one we created that represents truth, trust, transformation and teamwork. 

Stay tuned!