She Thrived In A World That Has Tried To Keep Her Down

PushBlack
July 10, 2019

Janet Mock is a journalist, writer, and producer - author of the bestselling memoir “Redefining Realness” and producer on the groundbreaking show “Pose” - who just made history by securing a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix! 

But she wasn’t always on top of the game. As a teen, she had an incredibly difficult struggle to overcome.

Mock grew up low-income, Black, and transgender. Because of racism and transphobia, she struggled in high school and considered dropping out. 

She couldn’t find a “regular” job, and her family couldn’t afford the kind of medical treatment she needed. So she turned to the often-dangerous realm of sex work - at only 16 years old!

Although difficult, that decision afforded her the money to get the medical care she needed, and paved her way to college, where she eventually got a Master’s degree in journalism.

She wrote for magazines, released her memoir, and then successfully moved into TV and digital media - even collaborating with Oprah! 

And then came “Pose.” Now, she’s one of the most successful Black women in media.

Despite her humble beginnings, and the barriers placed against her in an anti-Black, anti-trans society, her example shows us the power of resilience. Mock did what she had to do to get to the life she knew she wanted. And now she’s killing it! 

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