Sun-Seeker MKE are dreamers, artists, abolitionists, chosen family and joy makers — all working hard to reimagine what safety and care looks like for black trans and queer folks. Everyone involved with the Black trans abolitionist organization understands the solutions to oppression, harm and liberation come from the people within the communities they serve.

I spoke with Nick Berkley, Yante Turner and Jakayla (Jay) Bridges of Sun-Seeker MKE during the DJ Takeover on the Afternoon Drive last week. They curated a full hour of songs that both reflect and inspire their mission, and we looked at the work of their organization through the lens of art and music.

“When we talk about creativity and making organizing desirable, art for us has been that lens.” explained Turner, who has been with Sun-Seeker MKE for over four years. They are not reaching for professionalism or perfectionism, but rather striving for authenticity that’s made available through art and music.

It’s an organization of activists, academics and mobilizers who aren’t content with theory. They move Black trans safety from conversation to action through campaigns like their fundraiser for a rapid-response mobile crisis and care collaboration unit — the latest example of their hyperlocal focus so communities can “have sovereignty over what their safety looks like.”

You can hear more from Berkley, Turner and Bridges in this episode, and learn more about how Sun-Seeker MKE is working toward Black queer and trans safety by following them on Instagram.

Episode guest host: Carolann Grzybowski

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