QueenChela@theuwc.org

Pioneer, Founder & Executive Director: 

Chela has been a service to the LGBTQ community with a journey that expands over two decades. Although Chela has formal education as a journalist but she got involved with HIV/AIDS  work after having a loved one shared their HIV+ status with her, armed with wanting to learn and be of assistance; she dove into the world of HIV/AIDS and social justice. 

After working many years with LGBT community, with an expertise in Trans issues throughout the Los Angeles area and having been an employee  for several organizations that offered services to trans people, she came face to face with issues concerning the lack of access to; and the availability of resources for trans people.

With a vision and a personal computer she wanted to help in any way she could, so she called upon a few friends who were willing to lend a hand in organizing a few community events a year in support of the trans community especially during holidays when trans community can feel the most disconnected from family. 

What started as a weekly support group held at Unity Fellowship Church in Los Angeles every Sunday after church has materialized as the first formalized organization in Southern California to be founded, organized for and by Black Trans women. 

UWC’s first efforts aimed at creating a safe space for Trans people to have healthy conversation with each other, to have some “Girl Talk”.  An opportunity for community to gather, enjoy, learn and bond with one another. Within a few years this turned into a vision of having a holiday celebration dinner for Thanksgiving. A large part of Trans community find  themselves disenfranchised from their family and loved ones. 

Chela’s solution was to create “Transgiving Dinner” a dinner with all the traditional trimmings of a full course meal, but mostly to have a sense of community and togetherness. TransGiving Dinner quickly became an event community members were able to look forward to and depend on each year. 

Since UWC’s inception, community members of all ages have lent their hand and voice to the collective to help create offerings like an Easter Dinner, Wonder Woman Job Prep program, Waiting 2 Exhale Luncheon, Miss Supreme Queen Pageant, Miss Southern California Pageant, America’s Next TOP Illusionist, Battle of the Divas, Unity Games, La Maison de Van Cartier, Our Honors Community Image Awards, and UWC’s current multimedia project Chela & the Girls Next Door Talk Show. 

UWC has been able to be at the table for a few historic moments for the movement; 

Established the original Trans-Unity Pride, now known as Trans Pride LA

Established the original Los Angeles County Transgender Task Force

Established the Transgender Youth Network, now known as TSPN

Coordinated with OAPP the first Transgender HIV Testing Day

It’s going to be hard to mention Unique Woman’s Coalition without mentioning Chela Demuir and vise versa, as the two are synonymous with one another. 

Chela lived a very different life before she found community; but community is where Chela found herself and a passion.  

If you ask Chela, she’ll tell you “that’s where my journey truly started”. Chela has been the spark and the fuel for UWC, at a time when it was unheard of for Trans people to be independently organized and solution driven she pioneered ahead and forged a way for black trans and non binary community to have a voice. 

Chela is also known to many as a Mother figure, she has been a village to many community members navigating the world. 

"Chela’s philosophy has always been to create a path where there is none, and if you're lucky you'll create a door that others can utilize"​ she calls her style of community organizing “Social Edutainment.  Mixing social and education elements together to create an experience, once community is in the same space with positive energy, their open to receive messages; and that is what they call “creating a spark”. That spark can be a flutter or a hungry flame. It’s that spark or that message people can take away from spaces Chela and UWC create that can lead to  change. 

In 2019 UWC is charging forward to introducing multimedia projects produced and created by Trans people, securing office space and raising funds to hire our first paid employee.

Chela currently serves as the National Vice President for FLUX,  A national division of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) dedicated to creating safe spaces for Trans and Gender Non-Conforming individuals through advocacy, events and innovative marketing.

Points of interest along the way where Chela has been able to  be of service to community and spread some Black Girl Trans Magic. 

KJLH Radio - On Air Coordinator / Street Team

A&M Records - Record Day Coordinator / RadioScope Personality 

Minority AIDS Project - Outreach / Program Manager

GLASS Group Home - Child Care Worker / Trans Case Manager / MOHOP Testing & Counseling

Los Angeles County Health Department HIV Epidemiology Program - Transgender Health Study Interviewer

Los Angeles County Health Department HIV Epidemiology Program - HITS Program Manager

Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center - Program Manager

Unique Woman's Coalition's Chief Operating Officer.

QueenShannon@theuwc.org

Lucas@theuwc.org

Board of Directors, Treasurer

Training & Tech Team

AJ@theuwc.org

Board of Directors

Brand Ambassador

Training & Tech Team

I am Aj Singleton AKA ACE Gorgeous Gucci , a transmasculine entrepreneur CEO Founder of Fiber Consulting. Fiber Consulting is a sales and marketing company, and we also have a community outreach program to help low-income families. We have a management training program to help staff develop leadership skills. 

I currently reside in Pomona, California. I was primarily raised in Los Angeles County in the foster care system. At the age of 18, I was able to develop a relationship with my biological mother and little sister. We have a great relationship that I didn't think was possible growing up. 

I'm currently a member of the Black Chamber of Commerce. I’ve been working in the LGBTQIA community for the past few years. In 2018 I was the 1st African American transman to hold the MX Pageant Title in Orange County. I'm passionate about helping people grow and to be the best version of themselves. I enjoy dancing, adult-only roller skating sessions, and participating in the ballroom scene. When I'm not working, I'm either playing Call of Duty or watching Marvel/DC.  My favorite food is soul food & BBQ Ribs.  My future goal is to open a non-profit to help at-risk youth & help the transmen experience.

QueenVictoria@theuwc.org

Board of Directors, Development

Cristina@theuwc.org

Board of Directors

Vanessa@theuwc.org

Brand Ambassador

Training & Tech Team

"Vanessa Warri, MSW, is a community-based scholar, strategist, and advocate dedicated to advancing the health and wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, and transgender, and gender-expansive (TGE) people of color. With over a decade of experience providing direct services and education for multiple vulnerable populations — namely LGBTQ youth, foster youth, and system-involved individuals — Vanessa is committed to addressing the systemic inequities that impact these communities. 

As a Ph.D. student in Social Welfare, Vanessa’s research focuses on the education-health relationship across the lifespan of transgender and gender-expansive populations of color. Her work explores how early educational disruptions—particularly those stemming from cisnormative exclusion and violence in schools—create long-term barriers to health and wellbeing. Vanessa employs a life course perspective to understand how these early experiences affect mental health, access to healthcare, and overall life outcomes from adolescence through late adulthood.Through her research, Vanessa seeks to develop nonmedical, education-based interventions that address health disparities and promote psychological wellbeing within marginalized communities. Her work critiques traditional health models for vulnerable populations by advocating for approaches that connect upstream social determinants, such as education, to downstream health socio-behavioral and health outcomes.

In addition to her academic work, Vanessa is an experienced community-based researcher and consultant, providing strategic support to nonprofit and corporate organizations committed to equity and inclusion. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to empowering marginalized communities and transforming systems of care to be more inclusive and affirming."

Nina Barkers (Neverending Nina)

Brand Ambassador | Training & Tech Team

Nina@theuwc.org

Hailing from Port Arthur, TX, by way of New Orleans, LA, Nina Barkers—also known as her musical entity, Neverending Nina—has been a dedicated advocate and creative force for over a decade. As an independent artist and community cultivator, she has worked in various spaces, including HIV prevention, counseling, education, and advocacy.

With a deep-rooted passion for music, Nina has honed her craft in the birthplace of jazz and gospel, New Orleans, shaping her unique sound and artistic style. She is a singer, songwriter, arranger, and performer who uses her platform to elevate culture and amplify Black trans voices in the entertainment industry. Her debut EP, Present, is now available on all digital music platforms, featuring her signature blend of soulful storytelling and powerful vocals.

Recognized for her artistry and impact, Nina was selected as part of the 2024 Academy Proud cohort, a partnership with GLAAD, OUTLOUD, and the Recording Academy, highlighting Black LGBTQ+ independent music artists. Through her work, she continues to blaze a trail, ensuring that the next generation of Black trans creatives has the visibility and opportunities to thrive.

Linktree https://linktr.ee/neverendingnina

#NinaNowledge

Kyler@theuwc.org

Brand Ambassador

Kyler is an actress, model, singer, and dancer. Born and raised in Ohio, made in NYC and a new resident to LA, she advocates for equity in representation throughout performing arts and all media. Currently, she serves as an ambassador for the Unique Women's Coalition, the first Trans led organization in Southern California to be founded, organized for and by Transgender women of color. Through the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, Kyler also focuses on uplifting Trans/Gender Non-Conforming voices throughout the community emphasizing in visibility of trans experiences to youth.