Unity and Resilience: Men of Color 11-Month Program
Who This Event Is For: This monthly event is exclusively for trans men of color.
This event is free. (time listed in PST)
Presented in partnership with Uncloak.
Join us for a transformative 11-month virtual program created in partnership between I.M.P. and Uncloak. This program offers trans men of color a supportive space for personal growth, community-building, and empowerment through monthly sessions that focus on key topics like cultural identity, mental health, healthcare navigation, self-care, and social justice. Participants will connect with peers, share experiences, and gain valuable tools to navigate their journeys while fostering leadership and well-being. Sign up today to be part of this empowering, year-long experience!
Uncloak is Nevada's first Trans male led organization, dedicated to championing health, wellness, and healing of trans men through comprehensive community building. Founded by Kalvin Byrd in December 2021, Uncloak takes an intersectional approach to addressing the distinct challenges faced by the trans male community. At its core, the organization combats isolation by cultivating safe, welcoming spaces through social gatherings and a robust peer support network. Uncloak's primary initiative focuses on expanding healthcare access by partnering with medical providers to promote trans-competent care, ensuring that men of trans experience receive respectful, informed treatment. Through its commitment to fostering an empowering environment, Uncloak enables trans men to thrive while advancing the broader movement for equity, advocacy, and social justice.
Group hosted by Kalvin Byrd
Kalvin Byrd is the Executive Director and co-founder of Uncloak, Nevada’s first trans male-led organization dedicated to the health, wellness, and empowerment of trans men. With a strong background in community leadership and advocacy, Kalvin has been a driving force in addressing the systemic barriers faced by trans men, particularly in healthcare access, economic stability, and social inclusion. His work focuses on creating safe, inclusive spaces where trans men can thrive. Kalvin is deeply passionate about fostering community connections and promoting holistic well-being, ensuring that trans men are visible, supported, and empowered.
The program will follow this format:
February: Introduction and Community Building
The program begins with a welcome and an overview of the sessions. The theme for the month is building trust and community, with an emphasis on respect, confidentiality, and active listening. Participants will share personal stories and set individual goals, followed by a breakout session to discuss these goals. A bond-building task will encourage each participant to share one personal goal and one fun fact about themselves. The session will end with a group discussion reflecting on the breakout session.
March: Cultural Heritage and Identity
This session introduces the theme of embracing identity and celebrating cultural heritage. Participants will share cultural traditions and stories, followed by a discussion on how cultural heritage impacts identity. A bond-building task will involve each participant sharing a cultural tradition or story, and the session will conclude with a reflection on the breakout discussion.
April: Mental Health Awareness
The theme for April is mental health and wellness. Participants will explore stressors and coping mechanisms, followed by a breakout session to discuss strategies for managing mental health. Each participant will share a favorite self-care activity during a bond-building task. The session will close with a group discussion reflecting on the breakout session.
May: Navigating Healthcare Systems
May’s theme is healthcare navigation. Participants will identify barriers to healthcare and explore strategies to overcome them. The session includes discussions on healthcare experiences and how to create a healthy mindset for healthcare visits. Each participant will share a healthcare story or tip in the bond-building task, and the session will conclude with a group discussion.
June: Legal Rights and Advocacy
June’s session will focus on legal empowerment. Participants will discuss key legal issues and strategies for advocacy. A bond-building task will encourage participants to share resources or organizations that support the community and to suggest what resources they would like to see within the community. The session will end with a reflective group discussion.
July: Leadership and Advocacy
In July, the program will focus on the theme of becoming leaders. Participants will identify leadership qualities and opportunities. Breakout rooms will provide space to discuss leadership experiences and aspirations, and participants will share leadership role models or mentors in the bond-building task. A group discussion will follow to reflect on the breakout session.
August: Relationships and Communication
This month’s theme is effective communication. Participants will identify communication skills and share strategies for building healthy relationships, whether professional, familial, or social. The bond-building task will involve participants sharing ways to enhance their communication, and the session will end with a group discussion on the breakout session.
September: Physical Health
September’s theme will focus on health and well-being, specifically the benefits of physical health. Participants will discuss fitness goals and plans in breakout rooms. The bond-building task will involve participants discussing their physical wellness goals and describing their ideal superhero and the physical qualities they would embody. The session will conclude with a group discussion.
October: Self-Care and Wellness
This session will emphasize prioritizing self-care. Participants will create a self-care plan and discuss their routines and challenges in breakout rooms. The bond-building task will involve each participant sharing a self-care tip or routine, and the session will close with a group discussion reflecting on the breakout session.
November: Social Justice and Advocacy
November’s theme is advocating for change. Participants will identify social justice issues and action plans, and will share advocacy experiences and strategies in breakout rooms. The bond-building task will encourage each participant to share a social justice cause they are passionate about. The session will end with a group discussion reflecting on the breakout session.
December: Reflection and Future Planning
In the final month of the program, participants will reflect on their journey, set future goals, and discuss their growth over the year. Each participant will share a future goal or aspiration as part of a bond-building task. The session will conclude with a reflective group discussion on the year’s experiences and future planning.