The economy is doing what it always does—shifting, shaking, and making life harder for folks already struggling. If you’ve been feeling like your paycheck isn’t stretching as far as it used to, you’re not alone. The cost of everything—from rent to groceries to gas—is rising, and that’s inflation at work. When the economy slows down too much, businesses stop hiring, people lose jobs, and that’s what we call a recession. If things get real bad, worse than the Great Recession of 2008, we could be looking at something even more devastating—another Great Depression. And let’s be clear: when America catches a cold, Black folks catch pneumonia. And for Black LGBTQ+ folks? The risks are even greater.

In a powerful and enlightening interview, I had the privilege of sitting down with the creative team behind Nina Simone: Four Women, currently being performed at Geva Theatre, as well as a delightful opportunity to host a live talkback at the theatre as well.

Victoria Von Blaque embodies more than just a name within the Transgender and sex worker rights movements, she’s a force of change, compassion, and perseverance. With over twenty years of experience, she has established herself as an advocate, consultant, and performer. Most importantly, she is dedicated to honoring the impactful legacy of her late mentor, Cecilia Gentili.

Cecilia Gentili was a groundbreaking activist who significantly advanced the rights of the transgender and sex work communities, particularly through her efforts to abolish the "Walking While Trans" law in New York City. Her untimely passing created a profound gap, but Victoria, who viewed Cecilia as a mentor, big sister, and dear friend, has committed herself to carry on Cecilia's vital work, envisioning a future where transgender individuals and sex workers can thrive without the threat of discrimination or criminalization.

A young, white nursing student is murdered on a trail in Athens, GA near the University of Georgia campus and there is an international media frenzy. An undocumented immigrant is arrested, tried and convicted. Months later, Santonio Coleman was murdered on a trail in Athens, GA near the University of Georgia campus and there is no press, no arrest and no justice for Santonio.

I often struggle when I write. Show me a writer or artist that doesn’t and I’ll show you a miracle in the flesh! Sometimes I am blessed with writing prompts but more often than not, I must come up with something that speaks to me to write about and let it develop into a piece I deem worthy of sharing. Many times, I’ll write something and get to a point and just decide, “Nah, that’s not what I want to say.” Or the message isn’t as clear as I need it to be and I scrap it and start all over again. This has been my challenge the last few months. I am a deadline oriented writer and tend to work better under pressure for the most part. The tighter the deadline, the better the piece, which can be good or bad depending on who you ask. In many ways, writing is my voice so to speak.

As I sit here watching cartoons with my cat, smoking a joint, and reflecting on the holidays, the elections, and community, a quote from a kids' show called “Phineas and Ferb” sent me into a rabbit hole of why I love villains and antiheroes. The quote was, “A hero is a hero, but everybody loves a great villain.” As a Black, non-binary, Trans feminine person, my existence is often used as a scapegoat for ignorance and justifications of people's rage, without them knowing who I am and only being concerned with what I am. How long must all of my communities endure this? Let’s not forget that intersectionality is real; I’m not just fighting racism; I’m fighting sexism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, and the list goes on. Like many people in marginalized communities that I share space with, all we want is to live a happy and free life. The reality is that most of us are surviving, and the few of us who are thriving are told we should be grateful for the bare minimum that many of our counterparts take for granted.

Written by: E.L. Winston

Happy New Year, peeps! I hope that your holidays were filled with love and comfort and all the things you wanted and needed. My new year is starting off a bit stressful but exciting at the same time. See, I have this tumor in my left thigh. It’s been there for at least 9 years now. Yes, I said 9 years.

Let me explain…it started out as a lump no bigger than a baseball. I went to the doctor and the doctor said that it’s because I need to lose weight. That’s all he said. He didn't run any tests, didn't look any further… fast forward a year or two from that visit and I start a new position at work that requires me to get in and out of semi trucks all day. On my first day on the job, my leg swells up to the size of a softball. I go back to the doctor and he says, “Oh no you have lymphedema. You're going to need this reduction kit and have to wear it constantly to get the fluid off your leg.” Again, he didn't do any tests, didn't do anything further and still says that weight is a factor. Needless to say the kit never worked. So here we are. Let me tell you what the cause of my tumor was not. It was not my weight or lymphedema and had the doctor taken the time to listen to me then what would have been a simple procedure Is now a major surgery. The mass is now the entire length of my thigh and I’ll be laid up at home for the entire month of February.

Calm down, let’s talk through this. We don't know how this is going to turn out. You're getting worked up for nothing. It's still early in the night, maybe we should go to bed and not watch the results. I know, I know, the people have failed us before but maybe it'll be different this time. You got to breathe, buddy. Stop watching. We did our part; we showed up; we voted; we educated others and campaigned for others to vote. Yes, I know that our freedoms are under attack. Yes, I know you're stressed but you are going to have to breathe or we’re going to pass out. Our wife is worried that we are going to stroke out. I know it's stressing you out. That's why I said, “stop watching the results. It's still too early to tell. Let’s go to bed, it will be ok in the morning…… I can't believe it! What.. don't say you told me so. I thought our people would do the right thing. How could they fail us this way? How are we going to make it out in the next four years?