There ain't nothing Sweet about Sweet Auburn

Once upon a time, in the shabby streets of Sweet Auburn, Atlanta, I met a soul who would forever leave an indelible mark on my heart. It was the year 2017 when I first met her, a black Trans woman named CC, facing the challenges of homelessness and addiction.

Black transgender women in the United States face unique challenges, including discrimination, violence, healthcare disparities, economic limitations, homelessness, criminalization, and incarceration. CC’s story is a reflection of the struggles experienced by many black trans women in the US. It sheds light on the barriers they face, the resilience they embody, and the ever-present need for acceptance and support. May CC's memory serve as a reminder of the challenges yet to be overcome and the importance of fostering a world where everyone is embraced for who they are.

Once upon a time, in the shabby streets of Sweet Auburn, Atlanta, I met
a soul who would forever leave an indelible mark on my heart. It was the
year 2017 when I first met her, a black Trans woman named CC, facing
the challenges of homelessness and addiction.
CC asked me to photograph her. Touched by her vulnerability, I agreed,
promising to send her the pictures via messenger. But I didn’t hear from
her.

Until February 2020."Hi, hi, how are you? I remember this" her
message read. CC told me that she was incarcerated in a male prison.
Despite the difficult circumstances, she found comfort in our connection
through messenger.

January 2023, I received wonderful news - CC would be released in
February. Even though her mother struggled to fully accept her as a
Trans woman. CC was grateful for a place to stay, sleeping on the
couch. Before my arrival, she had even managed to find a job, a source
of immense pride for her.

During my visit, we shared unforgettable moments. However, beneath
the surface of her infectious positivity, I glimpsed moments of sadness in
CC’s eyes. It weighed heavy on my heart, knowing that building a
fulfilling life in a country where acceptance would never be complete,
would be a challenge for CC.

CC invited me to witness her First Fruit offering, where she donated her
first paycheck to God in a mega church. Holding her Bible tightly, tears
streaming down her face, she danced, sang, and proclaimed her
devotion. CC firmly believed that this offering would bring immeasurable
blessings.

Heartbreakingly, just a week after I departed, the darkness she had
fought so bravely against, returned to her life. CC gave in to the
temptation of drugs, and two weeks later, tragedy struck. She fell victim
to an overdose.

I made the journey back to attend her funeral, where she was laid to rest
as a man. However, her beautiful memorial celebrated CC for who she
truly was - a courageous Trans woman. Her mother shared with me that
she had received CC as a son, and now, she wished to return her son to
God, just as she had received him.