When someone receives a Mamas Day card, I want them to feel like they’re part of a chosen family.

My best friend’s mama inspired the artwork for this card. She helped me grow into the person I am today. I created this piece to celebrate all the African immigrant aunties, mamas and elders out there—the ones who open their doors, care for us and pass on generational wisdom.

When someone receives a Mamas Day card, I want them to feel like they’re part of a chosen family.

I also love the family of Black Muslim women in this Mamas Day card by Mojuicy. I’m Muslim, and I just fasted for Ramadan without the community I’m usually with. It was hard to be away from them—but people I’d pass on the street would offer a type of spiritual counseling, something that felt like parenthood. I really needed that. These strangers recreated the loving feeling of family so quickly.

That’s why I’m celebrating all the Black Muslim mothers who are trans and queer affirming this Mamas Day. Everyone who spreads love for the sake of spreading love.

Right now you can find trans athletes, trans models—trans youth on TikTok are always blowing up. But it feels like whenever we become more visible, horrible anti-trans legislation comes around. It’s almost an expected retaliation.

The recent wave of bills is psychological warfare against trans people. Even though I’m in a state that’s not directly impacted, the bills still sent a very strong message: trans people aren’t welcome. It impacts how we view ourselves, how others view us. It’s sparking terror. And with SCOTUS ruling against bodily autonomy, the terror is happening at every level. They’re trying to start a battle, and it’s working.

Trans youth have a powerful voice for change—but they shouldn’t be burdened by the opinions of others. Youth should be youth! They should be having fun!

Trans youth have a powerful voice for change—but they shouldn’t be burdened by the opinions of others. Youth should be youth! They should be having fun! They shouldn’t have to change their lives because of laws that can be undone—and will one day be gone. Growing up in African immigrant communities of North Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs, I experienced families that were welcoming, expansive and multigenerational. And whether or not we are accepted by our birth families, we could count on Black trans mamahood to teach us how to thrive in a world that doesn’t see us or respect us.

Trans youth deserve everything, but the world is really trying to tear them down right now. If you’re a caretaker or supporter of trans people, make sure you are affirming and supportive. Do your best to build them up in any way possible. Even after anti-trans legislation is struck down, the psychological warfare is still at play: a little seed gets planted in our minds to make us think we’re asking for too much.

But we can never ask for too much. Nothing this government gives us will ever be enough. It’s our community that will give us what we need most, like it always has.

I like to think of these Mamas Day cards as tokens of that community love. Even if we feel alone or far from the support we need, community is always someplace nearby.