Maeana’s story is a little different from others but has similarities you can relate to. Mae is a trans man who grew up in North Oakland, California. He is the youngest of three boys and an uncle to none. From adolescence, his household wasn’t typical. There was always something going on, such as sweet Soca music carrying through the air with a hint of curry. Growing up his motto was to learn from other people’s mistakes and a “closed mouth does not get fed”. Since he was a kid to now a grown man, that saying stuck with him.
He is currently pivoting into a role as Self-Determination Advocate. Mae wants to impact his community in a glorifying way by advocating for whomever needs help “crossing a bridge” and confronting injustices in the legal systems. He plans to fully impact peoples’ lives in a positive way.
His life is a beautiful struggle. No matter how bad it gets, he is always looking for positivity in every situation. Facing adversity helps you gain knowledge even when there are mistakes. Mae spends his time traveling all around the world and learning about diverse cultures. He has gained new skills and passion for self-determination. He is fairly new in self-determination advocacy but his experience & willingness gives him the confidence to advance in his career.
