(BPRW) Passing the Torch, Building the Future: The Marsha P. Johnson Institute Welcomes New Executive Director

Modeling unity in community, Elle Moxley steps out of leadership as Chastity Bowick guides MPJI into its next era of power and legacy.

(Black PR Wire) COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Marsha P. Johnson Institute (MPJI), the nation’s leading organization dedicated to protecting and defending the human rights of BLACK transgender people, announces a historic leadership transition. Founder and Executive Director Elle Moxley passes leadership to longtime movement leader Chastity Bowick, advancing MPJI into a new phase of power-building and justice.

Since its founding in 2019, MPJI has protected BLACK trans lives through direct relief, advocacy, community-building, and cultural programming. Elle Moxley’s vision and radical leadership gave life to an institute rooted in resistance, joy, and unapologetic love for Black trans people. Chastity Bowick now steps into this lineage of leadership, carrying Elle’s legacy forward while advancing MPJI into its next phase of power-building, abolition, and self-determination. Together, their legacies form the bridge into the next chapter of MPJI, honoring the foundation that was laid while building a freer future for BLACK trans people.

“The Marsha P. Johnson Institute was never mine alone; it has always belonged to the community. Marsha inspired this institute through her unapologetic fight for freedom and her human rights, and I carried that legacy forward by building an organization rooted in those same values,” Elle Moxley, Founder and outgoing Executive Director of MPJI, said. “This transition is a revolutionary act, moving from foundation-building to power-building, from survival to freedom and joy. MPJI will continue to rise in resistance and joy under Chastity’s leadership. After years of building our foundation, we are passing the brick to a new generation of leadership to accelerate our fight for the dignity and future of BLACK trans people.”

This leadership transition signals the next phase in the fight for BLACK trans liberation. By intentionally cultivating new leadership, MPJI ensures that its mission grows stronger, deeper, and more determined in the face of escalating attacks on transgender people nationwide.int

“Marsha lit the path, and Elle carried that fire by building an institute rooted in truth, survival, and joy. I step into this role not to replace that legacy, but to carry it forward as part of one continuous story,” says Chastity Bowick, incoming Executive Director of MPJI. “My vision is unity in community, breaking down the walls that divide us and standing stronger together, because unity is survival and unity is power. To the extremists and lawmakers who legislate against our humanity: we are still here, our voices will not be silenced, and we are not going anywhere. Together, we will honor the foundation and build higher.”

About The Marsha P. Johnson Institute

MPJI seeks to eradicate systemic, community, and physical violence that silences our community from actualizing freedom, joy, and safety. In part, this mission is addressed through locating culturally competent resources for basic necessities like housing, food security, legal and financial support, health/wellness, employment, social support, and more. Learn more at marshap.org.

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Source: Marsha P. Johnson Institute