Not only is Andrea Jenkins the first openly trans black woman to be elected to public office in the United States following a Minneapolis election on November 7th—she’s also an artist, activist, and leader who has been serving her community for decades.
According to her website, Jenkins is a “poet, writer, and multimedia visual and performance artist, [and] author of two chapbooks.” She’s won a variety of grants, fellowships, and scholarships for her poetry and spoken word performances. Check out her TED talk, “Why I Wear Purple.”
Alongside her artistic contributions, Jenkins has a long history of service via nonprofit and political engagement. Prior to her election to the Minneapolis City Council, Jenkins worked as a Senior Policy Aide for city council member Elizabeth Glidden. She’s on the boards of OutFront Minnesota, Forecast Public Art, and SMARTS.
And as if you needed another reason to love her, the day after her victory Jenkins posted a link to DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” on Twitter.
Congratulations, Councilwoman Jenkins!
