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ABOUT US
COMMUNITY | ADVOCACY | RESOURCES
Welcome to Rainbow In Black, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing unwavering support, resources, and advocacy for Black families of transgender and gender-diverse youth.
OUR VISION
Our vision is simple but profound: a world where every transgender or gender-diverse youth is embraced and supported by their family, community, and society. We envision a world where love transcends labels, where acceptance is the norm, and where every individual can express their authentic selves without fear or judgment.
OUR TEAM
Meet the passionate individuals behind Rainbow In Black, the heart and soul of our organization. Our team is dedicated to providing unwavering support and advocacy for the families of transgender and gender-diverse youth. Together, we work tirelessly to make our vision of a more inclusive and accepting world a reality.
KEISHA BELL
Founder and Executive Director
Keisha Bell (she/her) is the driving force behind Rainbow In Black. As the Founder and Executive Director, she brings both a personal and professional commitment to our mission. Keisha and her husband are the parents of 2 children, one of whom is a transgender young woman. Her journey as a parent of a transgender child inspired her to create this organization, as she saw the need for a supportive community and resources for families like hers.
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With a background in medicine and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by families of transgender and gender-diverse youth, Keisha leads Rainbow In Black with compassion and dedication. She is a tireless advocate for the rights and well-being of transgender youth and their families, working to create a world where every family can thrive.
SONIA MURPHY
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Sonia Murphy serves as our Program Director, overseeing the development and implementation of the support and advocacy programs that are the cornerstone of Rainbow In Black's work. Sonia Murphy (she/her/hers) is the proud mother of two daughters, and “Auntie” to countless children, including her transgender nephew, of whom she has full custody. She is inspired by her nephew, who is a Champion (transgender youth advocate) with The Gender Cool Project, a youth-led movement that works to replace harsh and misinformed views regarding transgender youth with positive and uplifting messages and stories. In her professional capacity, Sonia is a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and a former President of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia.
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Sonia is a tireless advocate, trusted counsel, and affirming adult in the lives of the transgender young people she encounters. Her life’s passion is advocacy on behalf of underserved and underrepresented communities. Sonia is committed to using her voice for good, and understands that she must share her lived experiences as a single woman of color raising a thriving transgender young person.
STEPHEN CHUKUMBA
Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator
Stephen Chukumba (he/him/his) is our Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator, spearheading our efforts to create positive change at the community and policy levels. He brings a wealth of experience in community organizing and advocacy, with a focus on LGBTQ+ issues. Stephen works tirelessly to amplify the voices of transgender and gender-diverse youth and their families, advocating for inclusive policies and practices that promote acceptance and equality. His dedication to advocacy is an essential part of Rainbow In Black's mission to create a more inclusive society.
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A father of four, one of whom identifies as a trans man, Stephen has been active in advocacy since his son invited him into his identity in 2017. Stephen Chukumba is also an activist with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council, which he has been affiliated with since 2019. While with HRC, Stephen helped produce HRCs Black Family Resource Guide, a collection of resources for Black parents, family members and caregivers of Black transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive youth.
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Stephen has worked alongside youth organizers to produce Trans Prom, the first ever political action prom for trans youth and adults. He was also featured in the Netflix documentary, The Dads, directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Luchina Fisher, executive produced by Dwyane Wade, which follows six dads of LGBTQ youth on a fishing trip in Oklahoma. Stephen is a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ youth, speaking to corporate, community, public and private audiences across the country.