he/him
Rev. Louis J. Mitchell is an "intentional man". An activist for over three decades, his focus is the fight for health and healing, self-determination and respect, focusing on mental wellness, recovery, and disability access.He believes in the restorative power of truth telling in the voices of those whose stories are often told about them rather than with them. Profiled in the documentaries:
Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen (2008, Zeigler & Lora)
Gender Journeys: More than a Pronoun (2016, Luke Allen)
More than T (2017, Silas Howard)
Awards:
2017 International Jose Julio Sarria Civil Rights Award from the Imperial Court of Western Massachusetts
2015 Claire Skiffington Vanguard Award from the Transgender Law Center for his long-time advocacy for the disenfranchised
2011 Haystack Award from the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC for work in Social Justice and Social Ministry
Received the President’s Award from the Wells College students for his 2015 Residency on Intentional Inclusion and Building Diversity
Honored by Black Trans Advocacy Conference with a Foundation Award in 2013. The "Louis Mitchell Foundation Award for Empowerment" acknowledges those who increase spiritual, political, or social strength through service, personal encouragement, and availability to the Black Trans Community.
Tell us: what excites you about your work right now?
I remain excited by the possibilities that unfold when someone presses through their immediate challenges. My work is tender and patient work. My excitement may be delayed. But when it comes, it's awesome!
What feels rich and abundant in your work right now?
The richness, vibrance and abundance that lives in trans communities of color defies description! The deep creativity and resilience is awe-inspiring. It is an honor to support my kindred in whatever ways I can.
Who do you dedicate your work to?
My work is dedicated to the many unknown and unnamed who have stood in the gaps and creases to support others - often without resources or degrees. Their abilities to move in the shadows came long before our ability to move in the light.
Who inspires you, who are you learning from, what books are you reading? We are really excited to learn this about you!
I'm such a book fiend! Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney, Bishop Yvette Flunder and other progressive theologians excite me and confirm that I'm not alone on this path. Currently reading, "Murdered Souls, Resurrected Lives" by Dr. Irie Lynne Session and "Red Lip Theology" by Candice Marie Benbow.
How can people reading this support the work you are doing?
Please consider giving to Transfaith (www.transfaith.info). Our work supports so many other smaller organizations. Because we are not a direct-service site, funding is hard to secure. Thanks in advance!
What something you didn’t know, that now you understand differently with wellness?
Life isn't binary - one can be sad and joyful, uncertain but not stuck. One can be without money and very rich in spirit. I've also made a decision to reframe my perspective. I used to feel that if one bad thing happened, it was a bad day. Now if one good thing happens then it's a good day!
What is your own wellness practice? How do you find balance?
I can't say that I've found balance, yet. But my time of reading, journaling, reaching out daily to my "anchors" and remembering to laugh go a long way to keeping my spirits from sagging and my body from feeling the heavy drain of being a giver.
The Transistance Network
Co-Owner, The Collective STL
Black Inmate Commissary Fund
Indigenous Karuk and Yaruk Ceremonial Leader
Sovereign Spirit Death Care
Cofounder, CEO of BE-IMAGINATIVE
Freedom Community Clinic
Somatic Experience Practitioner
Founder, The Honey Block
Cofounder, The Grinding Stone Collective
Nature Center for Meditation
Sexuality Educator
Co Executive Director, NuLegacy
Founder, Compton Girls Club
Black Men Speak, Inc.
Peer Support Space
Black Boys Om Inc
Gender Expansive Liberationist Medicine Person
Embraced Body
Founder & Owner of The Tree Yoga Cooperative
Founder and Owner, Peaceful Chaos Yoga
Founder, Indigenous Women Hike
Founder, Rising Hearts
Assistant Professor of Linguistic and Ethnic Studies, University of Colorado Boulder
Anishinaabe Cultural Specialist, Anishaable Agriculture
Founder, Black Mermaids
Founder, Activation Residency
Yoga Instructor
Cofounder, Toj + Tijax
The Dream Experiment
I Am Yoga CLT
Occupational Therapist
Guardian Lane
Founder, Pink Opal Magic
Founder and Owner, Yoga Bliss
Queer Campout
Co-Owner, Rise Training Academy
Founder, Financial Liberation Movement
Reverend, Activist
Founder, BACII
TouchBot Pleasure Tech
Founder, Queer Kanaka
Community Aid
Black Creative Healing
Founder and CEO, Civil Bikes
End of Life Doula
Founder, EARTHseed Farm
Founder, Latinx Grief
Earthlodge Center
Founder, Postpartum Healing Lodge
Yoga Instructor
Founder, Atabey Outdoors
Founder, Zepp Wellness
Founder, Owner Hybrid Strength Athletics
Grief Healer
Founder and Owner, Roxy Wellness
Transgenerational counselor, Acupuncturist and Reiki practitioner
Founder, BLK Beetles
Founder and Owner, Ain Pilates
Founder, Keep It Cute
Founder and Owner, Yaad Wellness
Co-Owner, Bhakti Movement Yoga Center
Tejal Yoga
Executive Director, Semillas y Raices
Founder, Tristan Katz Creative
Founder, Ancestors in Training
Founder, Xude Yoga
Spiritus Wellness
Rest In Power Yoga + Reiki
© Reclamation Ventures 2022. All Rights Reserved.