LGBT Black History Month Spotlight:
7 Questions With Activist SharRon Cooks

In partnership with Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, every day throughout the month of February we will spotlight one of the most important black movers and shakers in the city.

First up: SharRon Cooks. Ms. Cooks is an activist for the trans community. We chose her for the important volunteer work she does at the William Way Community Center. There she wears all kind of hats: peer counselor, trans support group facilitator, special events volunteer and even front-desk receptionist. That’s what you call dedication.

What’s your Philly connection? Philly is the first place I found an LGBT community; the people and the places like the bookstores, the clubs, the music and the business. I loved the thrill and feeling of freedom the city offered me. I’m orginally from South New Jersey and moved to Philly from Pennsauken, N.J. in my late teens.

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
A lawyer

Who is your biggest inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is my mom and my family. They are always pushing me to do better because they know what I’m capable of because they raised me. And sky and clouds inspire me because you can look to them and imagine anything you want.

Finish this sentence: I feel fiercest when …
I am helping make a difference in our community and advocating for people’s rights. Helping make our society a better place for everyone especially those who are in need of help the most. And dispelling stereotypes and pre-conceived notions are really powerful for me.

What’s your proudest achievement? 
My proudest achievement would be my academic success as an international honors student, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a Liberal Arts Major at Arcadia University.

If you could have one super power what would it be and how would you use it?
My one superpower would be reading people’s minds and I would use that power to create sustainable resources that would help better assist people and nations with their specific needs.

Finish this sentence: In 10 years I …
… will have a thriving career serving my community, a P.HD in Philosophy and a Masters in Psychology, and contributing to the community in various philanthropic ways.