We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Safara Malone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Safara below.
Safara, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My journey was not one traversed alone; alongside stood a chosen family, like my Ballroom mother, Legendary Natalie Lepore. It was Ballroom that gave me the personality I have today. Seeing these strong-willed Black Trans women helped me come out of my shell. Ballroom gave me confidence. It was through Natalie that I found such strength and pride in my identity and rediscovered my love for dance, drama, fashion, and theatrics.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Safara Malone is a First-year at Harvard College. She will be one of the first openly transgender Black women to attend the University. Safara is a programs and policy intern at Transgender Education Network Texas. Additionally, through her work with GSA Network, she has led national transgender justice events, and was featured in the Associated Press and the IHeartMedia Podcast “Queer Chronicles”. In addition to this, she is the Co-Chair of TransHarvard.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey from Southern transgender advocacy to national LGBT policy work, I believe my most impactful qualities were community building, transparency, and dedication. Community building allowed me to organize and empower transgender individuals in a challenging region. Transparency built trust with both the community and policymakers, crucial for effective advocacy. My dedication drove long-term progress despite numerous obstacles. These qualities enabled me to uplift my community and push for meaningful policy reforms at regional and national levels.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents are ordinary Black people with extraordinary hearts. My mom is from Sacramento, California, and my Dad is from Houston. Neither of them went to college and both come from a working-class background. From humble beginnings, my father instilled within me a profound work ethic, and my mother a thirst for knowledge. Their unwavering support was the bedrock upon which I built my dreams. And when the time came for me to embrace my truth and come out as queer, it was my parents who stood by my side.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safaramalone/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/safaramalone
