Joel Rivera is a powerful Black Trans womxn fighting for the abolition of the system that destroys the lives of the people in her community. From the Bronx, New York, she leads the Stonewall Protests every Thursday and conquers the hate with pure joy. With ballroom, holiday and community-themed protests, Joel focuses on creating a community to help the community. At a Transgiving (a spin on Thanksgiving) themed gathering centered on providing free food and clothing to people of NYC, Joel spoke about the power of the people. Her speech was recorded by Chidi Nobi and later posted to his Instagram @nobifilms. She says, “The people is the power, the people are in charge.” As a Black Trans womxn she is not represented by politicians. No one running for office is fighting for her. So she fights for herself and her chosen family of other proud LGBTQ+ activists stand at her side. Joel boldly encourages people to help people in the face of all of the pain and suffering her community has faced in the last year and every year of American history. A Black Trans womxn has a life expectancy of 35 years. Joel and her fellow members of the Black Trans Liberation movement live boldly despite that. Her beauty is rebellion and her heels are her weapon. Her story will not be erased and will continue to live on with the likes of Marsha P. Johnson and Angela Davis as a leader for Black Trans Womxn.