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The MLK Library is excited to host an Author Talk with award-winning journalist and world changer Tre'vell Anderson in conversation with the Empress of Pride, Rayceen Pendarvis.
Tre'vell will discuss their book: We See Each Other: A Black Trans Journey Through TV and Film. You do not want to miss this 45-minute conversation led by the iconic, the legendary, Rayceen Pendarvis. After the talk, the audience will be allowed to ask Tre'vell questions and have an opportunity to get a copy of the book signed.
Learn more about the speakers below and register to reserve your seat. Special thanks to the DC Public Library Foundation for donating books for the first 50 registered attendees.
For reasonable accommodations, please contact the Center for Accessibility at 202-727-2142 or DCPLaccess@dc.gov. For ASL or tactile interpretation, please allow at least seven (7) days notice.
About Tre'Vell Anderson
Tre’vell Anderson is an award-winning journalist, social curator, and world changer who always comes to slay! Formerly the director of culture and entertainment at Out magazine, and a film reporter with the Los Angeles Times, they have dedicated their career to centering those in the margins, grey spaces, and at the intersections of life through a pop culture lens. Tre’vell co-hosts two podcasts, Crooked Media's "What A Day" and Maximum Fun's "FANTI." Their reporting and commentary can be found in Essence, Teen Vogue, the Washington Post, Esquire, and Time magazine, among other publications. They are also the authoress of the forthcoming Historically Black Phrases (Ten Speed Press, September 2023).
We See Each Other: A Black Trans Journey Through TV and Film
A groundbreaking look at the history of transgender representation in TV and film, by an of-the-moment and in-demand culture reporter.
We See Each Other is a personal history of trans visibility since moving images began. A literary reckoning, it unearths a transcestry that’s long existed in plain sight and in the shadows of history’s annals and further contextualizes our present moment of increased representation. The films and television shows that Tre’vell covers include: Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, Psycho, Holiday Heart, Boy’s Don’t Cry, America’s Next Top Model, Some Like It Hot, Survivor, Tangerine, Pose, RuPaul's Drag Race and much more. Though there have been trans memoirs and histories, there has never been a book quite like this, nor is anyone more suited to write it than Tre’vell.
“I don’t remember exactly when I was taught to hate myself," says Tre’vell Anderson in We See Each Other's introduction. As the narrative unfolds, Tre'vell knits together the history of trans people on screen with stories of their life growing up and their formative experiences as a Black, trans journalist.
About Rayceen Pendarvis
Rayceen Pendarvis is an event host, interviewer, moderator, commentator, panelist, inspirational speaker, social media personality, freelance columnist, wedding officiant, community advocate, and lifelong Washingtonian.
This dynamic personality has hosted numerous fundraisers, pride celebrations, community gatherings, talent showcases, arts festivals, fashion shows, balls, and other events for several decades.
The community has honored Rayceen many times over the past several years, including awards from GMHC's Latex Ball in NYC, The DC Center for the LGBT Community, DC Councilmember Anita Bonds, Empowerment Liberation Cathedral Church, and the Community Church of Washington, DC. In 2016, Capital Pride Alliance named Rayceen a Capital Pride Hero. Later that year, despite not being ordained or ministering in a traditional capacity, Rayceen’s reputation as the “High Priestess of Love” resulted in Rayceen being voted Best Clergy in the Washington Blade Best of Gay DC Readers’ Poll. (Rayceen was voted Best Clergy for a second time in 2018.) In 2017, Rayceen was a finalist in The Mayor’s Arts Awards for Excellence in the Humanities. For the inaugural Best of LGBTQ Readers' Choice Awards, Rayceen appeared on the cover of the Washington Blade and was named Local Hero. A tireless advocate, promoter, and champion of various causes, Rayceen has also earned the monikers “Queen of the Shameless Plug” and “Goddess of DC.”
Rayceen has hosted and co-hosted various monthly, annual, and other recurring events in conjunction with DC Public Library, The DC Office of Aging and Community Living, The DC Center for the LGBT Community, the DC Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Story District, and Team Rayceen Productions. By being one of the few people who have hosted or co-hosted numerous LGTBQ+ Pride celebrations in DC, including DC Black Pride, Capital Trans Pride, Youth Pride, Silver Pride, and DC Latinx Pride, Rayceen is known as the Empress of Pride.
For ten years, Rayceen hosted The Ask Rayceen Show (2012-2021), a monthly community gathering and live entertainment event in Washington, DC. In addition to live music and other performances, segments included panel discussions, interviews, competitions, comedy, and games. In 2021, for its tenth and final season, The Ask Rayceen Show went online; for more information, visit AskRayceen.com
Rayceen Pendarvis can be found online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and as a co-host on the Team Rayceen YouTube channel. To connect with Rayceen, please visit Rayceen.com
