Ts Madison’s Starter House: A safe haven for Black Trans women.
At Ts Madison Starter House, residents get the support they need with mental health care, wellness resources, and business workshops.
Grammy-winning artist Ts Madison created the Ts Madison Starter House, a groundbreaking program designed to support and invest in Black trans women in the South.
In collaboration with award-winning activist Dominique Morgan, the initiative helps Black trans women in Atlanta transition from survival sex work. “We want to make sure the girls are protected,” Madison shared on the Jan. 30 episode of The Tamron Hall Show.
“What I’ve built in this world isn’t just for me; it’s for everyone.”
Madison and Morgan introduced the Ts Madison Starter House on May 31, 2024, at the NAESM conference. The initiative aims to combat the high rates of poverty, discrimination, and violence faced by Black trans women in the South. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s “Survey of Transgender Women in Metro Atlanta, 2019-2020,” Black trans women bear the heaviest HIV burden, with many reporting abuse, challenges in finding employment, and being denied housing and healthcare.
Madison, who also transitioned from survival sex work, shared with Forbes BLK, “When I first decided to donate my first house to charity, I reflected on my journey to Atlanta—homeless, broke, sick from silicone poisoning, with no direction or place to go. One of my trans sisters took me in, became like a second mother to me, and helped me find the strength and tools to rebuild and succeed on my own.”
The Ts Madison Starter House serves as a sanctuary for Black trans women, offering support as they heal, pursue their dreams, and become innovative leaders. The initiative champions Black queer and trans liberation, celebrating Black trans women’s leadership through a holistic approach. In collaboration with NAESM, the program provides residents with psychological support, health care, wellness services, and workshops on business planning and project management. Participants are recognized as “stakeholders,” honoring their essential role in the Black queer and trans liberation movement.
“Our aim is to make a lasting impact that goes beyond short-term relief, driving long-term empowerment and socio-economic growth within the Black queer community,” said Morgan, director of The Fund for Trans Generations at Borealis Philanthropy.
In August 2024, Madison took her Instagram followers on a tour of her first home, which she transformed into a space for the program’s residents.
Key providers and partners of the Ts Madison Starter House include NAESM, Inc., Borealis Philanthropy, The Fund for Trans Generations, and the Flower Crown Project. The program also receives support from Gilead Sciences, Inc. Those interested can contribute by donating or volunteering as mentors, healthcare providers, or educators.
