The Okra Project

The Okra Project is an American grassroots mutual aid collective that provides support to black trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people. The organization is based in New York City and was founded by Ianne Fields Stewart.[1][2][3]

The Okra Project
Official 2020 logo
FormationJanuary 1, 2018 (2018-01-01)
FounderIanne Fields Stewart
PurposeDirect support for black trans and non-binary people
HeadquartersNew York, New York
Region
United States
Servicesmeal preparation, grocery delivery, monetary support, mental health funds
Websitewww.theokraproject.com

History

Ianne Fields Stewart founded The Okra Project in January 2018 with a friend, Nyla Sampson, to combat food insecurity among black trans people.[4] The organization's mission is to hire and train black trans people as chefs who then provide meals for black trans people in their homes.[4] They collaborated with chef Meliq August, who runs a trans chef service.[5][6] The provided meals are African diasporic cuisines.[6] After its founding, Stewart stated the intention to run the New York-based collective, which operates entirely on individual donations, until its funds are depleted.[5]

In light of social distancing requirements implemented in New York related to COVID-19, The Okra Project switched to providing groceries to black trans people and raising money for mental health services.[4] As of June 2020, the organization has provided groceries to thousands of people and provided home cooked meals to at least 200. The organization also expanded to Philadelphia and New Jersey due to high demand.[7]

Founder

Stewart is a black queer non-binary trans feminine activist and actor.[4] She has spoken on the importance of black trans-led initiatives.[4][6]

Mental health funds

In 2020 The Okra Project created the Nina Pop Mental Health Recovery Fund and the Tony McDade Mental Health Recovery Fund, named after two black trans people killed in May of that year.[8][9] The fund pays for the cost of one free mental health therapy session for black trans men, women, and nonbinary people.[5][9] Jack Dorsey donated $75,000 to the funds, and Stewart stated that the organization received about $100,000 in donations every day over an eleven-day period due to people's donations related to the George Floyd protests.[4][5]

References
  1. "The Okra Project is delivering food to black Trans people in NYC". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  2. "Can't Go Out and Protest? Here's How to Help From Home". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  3. Lampen, Claire (2020-06-14). "How to Support the Struggle Against Police Brutality". The Cut. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  4. Sprayregen, Molly. "How The Okra Project Is Fighting Hunger In The Black Transgender Community". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  5. "The Okra Project Is Doing Essential Work For Black Trans Folks". www.out.com. 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  6. Michelle Kim. "The Okra Project Is Feeding Their Black Trans Siblings, One Meal at a Time". them. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  7. Mims, Paul O. (June 24, 2020). "When Okra Means Hope". Food & Wine Magazine. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  8. "Two Funds Named for Nina Pop and Tony McDade Will Provide Free Therapy Sessions for Black Transgender Folks". The Root. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  9. Kim, Michelle. "The Okra Project Launches Mental Health Funds in Honor of Tony McDade and Nina Pop". them. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
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