The Greene Space at WNYC Names Imara Jones as Its First-Ever Journalist-in-Residence
Emmy and Peabody Award-Winning Journalist to Convene
“LIVES AT STAKE”
A Live Event Series on Trans Issues and Rights
Series Debuts on Tuesday, March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility
(New York, NY – March 5, 2020) – With the trans community in the U.S. at risk, in the headlines, and targeted by new policies at both the federal and state level, dialogue with the wider public is urgently needed.
“Lives at Stake” is a new monthly event series at The Greene Space at WNYC featuring frank and urgent conversations by and for trans people about issues affecting their communities this Election Season and beyond. Hosted and created by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Imara Jones, The Greene Space’s first-ever Journalist-in-Residence, “Lives at Stake” will extend the work of her multimedia storytelling project TransLash into live, interactive, community-driven conversations with trans activists and allies. Audiences—both live in The Greene Space and virtual via live video broadcast on Facebook, YouTube, and thegreenespace.org—will be invited to ponder the road ahead for transgender people in the U.S. and join in the conversation.
The series kicks off on Tuesday, March 31—International Transgender Day of Visibility—with the premiere of the TransLash short documentary The Future of Trans, followed by a panel discussion.
Future events will explore themes such as decriminalization of sex work and the growing, organized infrastructure behind the current transgender backlash. These gatherings will highlight the resilience, creativity and artistry that are critical ingredients to trans life, showcasing trans creatives performing their craft.
“Lives at Stake” will run through January 2021.
“Urgent conversations are needed now more than ever to save trans lives,” said Imara Jones. “Using the power of journalism and the reach of media to center our community and bring those who are not trans into dialogue with us drives my work. That’s why The Greene Space at WNYC is the perfect partner for Lives at Stake.”
“The Greene Space’s residency program gives the mic to New Yorkers creating forward-looking work that sparks change,” said Jennifer Sendrow, Executive Producer, The Greene Space. “We are thrilled to support Imara Jones as she amplifies trans voices, celebrates trans lives, confronts ignorance and hate, and demands systemic change and liberation for trans people everywhere.”
The “Lives at Stake” schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, March 31: The Future of Trans on
International Transgender Day of Visibility
Tuesday, April 28: Sex
Work Decriminalization and Trans Liberation
Tuesday, May 28: The
Importance of Trans Travel
Tuesday, June 29: The
Infrastructure Behind the Trans Backlash
All
events begin at 7pm. Tickets available here. Additional events through
January 2021 to be announced at a later date.
The Greene Space’s Journalist-in-Residence series is an extension
of its Artist-in-Residence series, which supports ambitious artists, curators,
and collectives eager to connect with live audiences, creating something new
together in real time. Our artists-in-residence to date have been rapper and
writer Dessa, composer and pianist Arturo O’Farrill, writer and critic Hilton Als, photographer June Canedo, musician and curator Madison McFerrin, and pianist Jeremy
Denk.
Lead philanthropic support for The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space is
provided by The Jerome L. Greene Foundation. Additional support for the Greene
Space comes from the Howard Gilman Foundation, MetLife Foundation, and the New
York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
ABOUT THE
JEROME L. GREENE PERFORMANCE SPACE
The Greene Space is the street-level broadcast studio and performance venue of
WNYC and WQXR, channeling the collective genius in New York City to create
forward-looking live art, theater, and journalism that sparks change. It brings
audiences to the intersection of art and politics by leading courageous
conversations and curating performances of intense beauty that are deeply
rooted locally but relevant to audiences globally. For more information, visit www.thegreenespace.org
ABOUT IMARA JONES
An Emmy and Peabody Award winner, Imara Jones’ work has appeared in The
Guardian, The Nation, BBC News, Mic, The Grio, Salon, and The Root, as well as
broadcast on MSNBC, CNBC, PBS, NPR, BBC, and The Takeaway. She is the creator
of
TransLash, a cross-platform media journalism and personal story
project which produces content to end the culture of hostility and save trans
lives. Imara previously held economic policy positions in the Clinton White
House and was named a 2018
Champion of Pride by The Advocate. She is currently a Soros Equality Fellow.
ABOUT THE JEROME L. GREENE FOUNDATION
The Jerome L. Greene Foundation supports select programs that make a
significant impact on the lives of all New Yorkers in the areas of the arts,
education, medicine and social justice. Its 40-year history is grounded in the
vision of its founder, Jerry Greene, to give back to the city he loved. Today
the Foundation honors his commitment by continuing to fund quality institutions
and programs, and by identifying new ways to increase access to the arts and education,
create opportunity for ground-breaking medical research, and help ensure social
justice for all.
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