interview by kiki nicole

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A song that describes your year so far.
Weight in Gold by Gallant. It reminds me in this community, we always need to have folks to rely on.

Your go-to cafe order:
Haha, ummm, the wifi password.

Imagine a world without capitalism, cops and colonization.
A world without capitalism and colonization to me would look a lot less competitive, a lot more well fed with a lot less violence and trauma. There would be no need for trans people to do things to our bodies that cause pain everyday just so we are believed in our gender.

A movie you would love more if everyone was Black, Trans, & Queer:
The Wiz...which really just means it need trans folks, because every Black cis queer person within 500 miles of that decade is in that film.

Something you can’t leave the grocery store without:
Cheese.

Favorite ritual:
Walking my dog, Nikki G, who is 14, headstrong and cares very little about my feelings, but is so hella cute.

What is your signature dance move?
The Cupid Shuffle. Or, the well known old man step. I'd like to think I am preserving historical artifacts.

A book or poem you need everyone else to be as hype about as you:
The Black Trans Prayer Book, which is a project myself and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi are co-editing on to highlight the divinity of Black trans people while documenting the connection between colonization and transphobia.

What do you need to release?
Unworthiness

Invent a new language for how you speak your love. What is it called? How does it sound?
Transfag QuietStorm; It sounds a lot like Me'shell Ndegeocello in the early 90's rubbing her bald head.

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J Mase III is a Black/trans/queer poet & educator based in Seattle by way of Philly. As an educator, Mase has worked with community members in the US, UK, and Canada on the needs of LGBTQIA folks in spaces such as K-12 schools, universities, faith communities and restricted care facilities. He is founder of awQward, the first trans and queer people of color talent agency. His work has been featured on MSNBC, Essence Live, Everyday Feminism, Black Girl Dangerous, the New York Times, Buzzfeed, the Root, the Huffington Post and more. His current projects include being the head writer of the theatrical production, Black Bois and being co-editor of the #BlackTransPrayerBook.

Find him on Instagram (@jmaseiii) and www.jmaseiii.com!