Carter Brown is a father, husband, and community leader from Dallas, Texas. He’s also the co-founder and Executive Director of the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, an organization that advocates for the equality and livelihood of Black transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals. Carter and the coalition work to foster both community and empowerment for Black trans people, two essential elements many LGBTQ+ individuals still lack.
Carter has a personal investment in the work, born out of his history and experiences facing both racial and gender discrimination. He explains, “Growing up in the South as a dark-skinned “tom-boy” to a single Black, poor mother, in the public school system… all of this introduced me to discrimination at an early age.”
“I’ve always believed in the American dream. I knew if I worked hard, got an education, and stayed focused, I could get a good job and take care of my family. I was successful in that, completed high school and college (the first in my family to do so) and started working in corporate America. Along the way, I also transitioned my gender. This was a part of my American dream: living authentically and thriving.”
Carter decided not to come out as trans at work, but regrettably, Carter's peace of mind was disrupted when colleagues began circulating upsetting rumors about Carter's gender identity. “I was embarrassed and scared,” Carter recalls. “I felt I had to choose between being true to myself or keeping this job. That alone taught me that no one should have to choose between living authentically and caring for themselves and their family.”
Quickly, Carter faced an unexpected and unjust consequence of simply being himself: “I was fired within weeks.” Carter didn’t have much recourse in the state of Texas, and it taught him another important lesson about the value of allyship and advocacy. “If we don’t have protections, we continue to live with the biases. That’s why we need people to have our backs and say that everybody deserves equity.”
“That incident is what led me to become an advocate. First, for myself, and then to connect with others who also had issues that needed equality. I wanted to be a part of the solution. I co-founded the organization with the goal of creating community and bridging gaps in communication.”
While allies are an important part of achieving equality for LGBTQ+ people, an essential element also comes from within. “The key is self-empowerment, having a love and acceptance for who we are authentically, that is rooted within us, not just from the outside world.” Also crucial to successful life outcomes for LGBTQ+ folks is economic empowerment, which Carter says is critical on the pathway to progress. “Especially for people who are put further in the margins because of their identities, having economic empowerment is going to lead to achieving equity in society.”
This experience with discrimination, and the lessons he’s learned from his work as a community leader, also inform the working environment of the coalition itself. “Our goal is to be very affirmative. It’s so great to be in the position to hire Black trans and nonbinary people who can lead with their qualities, skills, and character. We create an environment where staff can lead with their identities. We have accountability, we encourage trust, creativity, and individuality. These are all of the things I wanted in a work environment, so I could be my best self.”
Inviting youth to community events and giving them the ability to thrive through the coalition has been a new inspiration for Carter. “The last couple years at our annual conference, we had space for youth. Seeing so many Black youth in person really blew my mind. It’s like seeing a vision of the future but in real time.”
Carter’s message for young people: “You are powerful and capable. The challenges we face today do not define our future. Seek out the resources available to you. Never underestimate the impact you have on the world by being yourself, by sharing your story and pursuing your dreams with passion and determination.”