Following its support for the LGBTQ+ community with its Pride Pack rebranding during June, Skittles has announced it has partnered with American singer-songwriter Todrick Hall to donate $100,000 to the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC).
The donation will support the group’s work to improve the lived experience of transgender people, including its Black Trans COVID-19 Community Response Fund initiative that benefits transgender families impacted by the coronavirus in the US.
Human experience
Established in 2011, the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is the only national organization led by black trans people to collectively address the inequities faced in the black transgender human experience.
BTAC advocates to end poverty, discrimination in all forms and its human inequities faced in health, employment, housing and education that are rooted in systemic racism, to improve the lived experience of transgender people. The organization’s work is based in peace building, community education, public policy initiatives, empowerment programs and direct services.
“Pride this year has been unlike any I’ve experienced before. With the pandemic putting a stop to all in-person celebrations, and the events that have sparked much needed conversations around racial equity and support for Black members of the LGBTQ+ community, it may be the most important Pride in my lifetime,” said Hall.
“It means a lot to me to be partnering with Skittles to make this donation to the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, an organization from my home state of Texas that is doing important work helping to uplift some of the most marginalized and underrepresented voices in the LGBTQ+ community during this critical time.”
Justin Hollyn-Taub, marketing director, Skittles, said: “Skittles is passionate about showing its support for the LGBTQ+ community, and that support extends beyond Pride month.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Todrick Hall to make this donation to support the great work the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition is doing year-round in communities across the US to fight back against discrimination and inequities experienced by transgender people.”