Arykah Carter (she/her) is a Trans Woman of Color and native of Michigan currently residing in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a board member of TransOhio.org, a statewide transgender advocacy and education organization. She believes that she has a story to be told that will encourage, support, and advocate for others in the Trans Community. Arykah is a self-taught freelance photographer & graphic designer and is writing and self-publishing a personal memoir tentatively entitled Beautiful Struggle, focusing on her unique and non-traditional experience as a later life transitioning Trans Woman of Color. Arykah is also working on a photo exhibit entitled, the Black Trans project, designed to bring visibility and perspective to Black Trans & Non-Binary experiences. Ms. Carter is a woman of faith and a member of Truth & Destiny Covenant Ministries Fellowship United Church of Christ in Cincinnati, but worships regularly with other groups. She is member of TransSaints, an auxiliary group of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries that invites Trans people and allies of faith to become involved in leadership and advocacy training that is focused on the unique perspectives of the African American Trans community. Arykah earned a B.S. from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, an MBA from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and is starting a Master of Divinity at Chicago Theological Seminary. She currently works for SGS, a leading company in the Brand Packaging Management Industry. You can find Arykah’s work at ARYKAH.COM