Dear John,

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on why we celebrate our history. It’s so we aren’t erased. It’s so we don’t forget who we are, and the people who got us here. It’s so we don’t lose track of the journey we took, and how strong we are. 

The fact that we’re living in a world where people are trying to erase our identities and our history is difficult to grapple with. It’s insulting, it’s harmful, and it’s cowardly. But more than any of those things, this attempt at erasure is a clear indication that those who would do away with Black history, with LGBTQ+ history, with women’s history, don’t understand the power these histories hold. That power cannot simply be removed from calendars. That power built this country. That power has been driving our electoral process for generations. That power shapes culture, movements, and society. 

Today, we mark Black History Month coming to a close and look towards the beginning of Women’s History Month. Working at an organization led by a Black woman, as a Black woman myself, that funds so much work in communities led by Black women and gender-expansive people, these months will always have profound meaning for Ms. Foundation. And we know that our history – both past, and the history we’re making today – can never be erased. 

In solidarity,

Grantee Partner Spotlight: Comfrey Films 

As a film training program and production house, Comfrey Films centers the lives and stories of Black trans, gender nonconforming, and intersex (TGNCI) creators and storytellers. Since 2017, Comfrey Films has trained and nurtured over 80 Black TGNCI storytellers and archived 350+ hours of Black TGNCI footage.

In 2024, Comfrey Films held their first short film competition that invited Black TGNCI folks, including beginners, first-time filmmakers, and Black Trans storytellers from across the diaspora who wanted to tell a story through film, to participate. Learn more about their important work in our latest grantee partner spotlight!