OUT SMART | November 15, 2023

This week is the fifth Black Transgender Empowerment Week, a love letter from The Mahogany Project and Save Our Sisters United in response to the State of Texas having a higher death toll of transgender people than any other state in the U.S. November 15 through 21 will feature an opening ceremony honoring Monica Roberts, a pioneering transgender activist and journalist who passed away in 2020. Her blog, TransGriot, started in 2006, was the first to track the murders of trans people nationwide.

Houston Chronicle | October 11, 2023

Texas became the state with the second most books banned in classrooms and libraries during the 2022-23 school year — trailing only Florida — which led to Banned Wagon adding Houston as its final stop in places to give out books.

ACLU Texas | September 26, 2023

“The staff and team at The Mahogany Project are delighted to know that the art of drag remains a cherished and recognized cornerstone of American culture,” said Verniss McFarland III (she/they), founder and executive director of The Mahogany Project. “The First Amendment rights of Americans have been upheld, ensuring that our local entertainers can continue to pursue their passions and dreams. In doing so, they contribute to a rich legacy that enriches and adds depth to our community.”

ACLU Texas | August 25, 2023

An attack on drag is yet another attack on Black and Brown communities and gender queerness.

In the 2023 legislative session, the Texas Legislature introduced over 140 bills targeting the LGBTQIA+ community.

Word in Black | April 18, 2023

Verniss McFarland III is the founder of The Mahogany Project, an organization dedicated to fighting the social isolation, stigma and acts of injustice against LGBTQ+ communities of color. They said that in order for change to happen, the people need to realize their power.

Texas Tribune | February 24, 2023

“Drag is how we’ve buried our dead, and how we’ve raised money for our community and programs,” said Verniss McFarland III, founder of the Mahogany Project, a Houston nonprofit focused on the Black trans community. “It has funded people after their houses have been burned down or broken into. It’s how we provide Christmas and holiday support. Drag provides sustainable life to all of our community.”

Yahoo! News HK | August 5, 2022

A Houston, Texas, nonprofit that helps Black trans people find housing, meet health needs and secure employment and educational opportunities recently won a $45,000 grant that will help it grow and improve its services.

The Mahogany Project was founded five years ago by Verniss McFarland III, who told The Houston Chronicle, “I wanted to do something that didn’t continue to just allow Black trans women and Black trans people to continue to become hashtags.”

Houston Chronicle | August 4, 2022

The Mahogany Project has come a long way from five years ago, when its primary funding source came from its founder’s Uber job.

The Body | March 2, 2022

Verniss McFarland III, a person of gender non-conforming, trans-identifying experience, has had a passion for helping people since they were a child. Verniss has taken that passion and transferred it into their work founding The Mahogany Project in their hometown of Houston, right on the second notch of the Bible Belt. The Mahogany Project, whose mission is to reduce social isolation, stigma, and acts of injustice against TQLGB+ communities of color, has been supporting that community since 2017.

In a recent At Home With conversation on Instagram for TheBody, Verniss and I talked about their motivation for founding The Mahogany Project, the need for safe spaces for TQLGB+ people, addressing mental health issues, and showing up for the trans community.

Spectrum South | February 24, 2022

When I speak with Verniss McFarland III, founder of The Mahogany Project, the excitement is palpable. On February 26, the Houston-based non-profit will celebrate the grand opening of its new physical space, The Mahogany Project Center, and, in turn, will become the first Black trans-led organization to open a brick-and-mortar location in the city.

OutSmart Magazine | February 21, 2022

The Mahogany Project, Inc. (TMP) is providing Houston with a historic new resource center.

“This is a major accomplishment,” says Verniss McFarland III, the organization’s founder and executive director. “It’s the first space [specifically] for Black trans people in Houston.”

Defender Network | February 18, 2022

The Mahogany Project (TMP) was founded in 2017 by activist Verniss McFarland III after the tragic death of Chyna Gibson, a Black transgender woman and well-known performer who was shot and killed in New Orleans that same year.

Since its launch, the local non-profit has created a virtual space to reduce the stigma, social isolation, and acts of injustice among TQLGB+ communities of color.

Preview Houston Chronicle | November 15, 2021

The Mahogany Project's Inaugural Trans Empowerment Ball is a highlight of the festivities.

Fox26 Houston | June 22, 2020

Groups like The Mahogany Project in Houston are working to teach trans people how to protect themselves and are also raising awareness to decrease violence.

“We deserve to exist with the freedoms and rights that everybody else has,” says founder Verniss McFarland III.