Director of Film

JH is a photographer, cinematographer, graphic designer, and trans activist. He is from Kentucky . He has an intense passion to share peoples stories and help them speak on a platform that they otherwise might not have access to. If he's not out taking photos or getting video footage, he's either writing, exploring this beautiful planet.

Basil is the founder and Executive Director of Transilient.
He is a southern man of trans experience, multi disciplinary writer, and activist. With his rich and varied skill set, Basil excels in conceiving and managing extensive digital projects, such as Transilient, and campaigns that center around storytelling. As a first generation graduate, he holds a BA in Creative Writing from The New School and an MA in Experimental Humanities and Social Engagement from NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Science. His impactful thesis project, "If the Creek Don't Rise: Collective History and Prison Abolition in the Southeast," serves as a powerful testament to memory culture and the urgent need to end mass incarceration. In his recent professional journey, Basil held the position of Communications and Advocacy Specialist at SAGE, an LGBTQ+ elder organization. Currently, he serves as the Senior Digital Campaign Manager at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, where he continues to bring his expertise and passion to advance the organization's mission. He works on personal creative projects while in the nonprofit sector.
basilvaughnsoper.com

Video Editor and Producer, James’ Wing Man

I’m from a small town in Kentucky with big city dreams. I’m a video editor and photographer, always can be found behind a screen. I love taking hours of video and turning into a finished project with the perfect balance of truth and emotion. When i’m not sitting behind a screen, you can find me at the park with my dog Remington, hanging out with family or planning my next adventure.

“ My name is Maryam Audu (pronounced MAH-Ree-Yam), I go by M and MA, and you may refer to me using They/He!

I am queer and non-binary, born and raised in Nigeria, and excited to join the team as a photographer, and share & grow my work.

Sometimes I am an artist, most times I am just existing.

I enjoy how the practice of photographing still life can translate into how we photograph people - meeting people as they are/when they are, and stressing the importance of the connection between photographer and participant. I photograph a lot of my friends and chosen fam, and people in community with me and I love that I am able to meet new people through this.

Random fact: I can make pizza from scratch, meat pies, sweet’n’spicy wings, and ogbono soup, but I cannot boil rice to save my life! “

“Bellamy (Belle) Brooks juggles multiple professions as a freelance graphic designer, 3D Artist and Animator, and an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She works full-time as an Animation Artist at the Global Campus of the University of Arkansas on their media production team. She got her degree in Broadcast Journalism and minored in Theatre. She is the Vice President of the Transgender Equality Network in Fayetteville, Arkansas where she is working to build a network of programs and social services to help the Northwest Arkansas transgender community live and thrive without fear of discrimination. In her advocacy, she is passionate about trans youth, homelessness and domestic violence. She is known for her networking skills and coalition building by working with other local nonprofits and businesses to build a better, more educated world for trans people. She also is a D&D Dungeon Master, a nature enthusiast, an actor, director, producer, film maker, gamer, towny, writer, professional Minecraft builder, streamer, sculptor and a pianist. Along side all of that, she is proud to be a woman and a lesbian who flies her rainbow and trans flags high with pride.”

Ethan has joined Transilient as a Regional Content Creator in 2020. Ethan lives in Georgia and contributes to the blog.

‘Hey! My name is Ethan, my pronouns are he/him & they/them, and I am a Queer Non-binary Trans man. I am 25 years old, my birthday is in October (I am a libra sun, libra ascending, and aquarius moon). I started writing in high school and have used it along the way to tell my story when I couldn’t figure out how to say it out loud. Also, Breonna Taylor deserves justice & ALL Black Lives Matter!’

Asher lives in Hudson, NY and is apart of the RCC team.

“Asher is a non-binary abolitionist and performance artist from Israel/Palestine, whose nomadic lifestyle currently situates them in Poughkeepsie, NY. Asher works at the intersections of body, art and gender euphoria to provide outlets for queer people to build community and undo white colonial practices of masculinity. They received their Master of Public Policy at the University of Virginia, and like to swim in any body of water they can find and big-brain about trans utopias with their friends. “

Web Developer

Cady is Transilient's life source as the web designer. Cady makes glitchy art, interactive multi-media installations, weird music, and websites and mobile apps for causes she cares about. She's also totally into interaction and experience design. Like it's weird how much she's into that.

cady.notnatural.co

Content Creator Team 2017 & Honorary Life Long Member

Carmen was Transilient’s first interview ever.

Carmen was on Transilient's Content Creator Team in 2017. Carmen is a dog enthusiast living in New Orleans. She was our first interview (ever!) and was also the first to be featured in our #MoreThanTrans mini-series. Carmen spends her days managing the largest pit bull rescue in the country. She is also pursuing a career in medical esthetics and make up artistry. Carmen is a jack of all trades, master at none, who loves nothing more than creating with her friends.