NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of Tiara Love Tori Jackson
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of Tiara Love Tori Jackson
CHARLOTTE, NC– The National Black Justice Collective (NBJC) mourns the death of Tiara Love Tori Jackson, a 37-year-old Black transgender woman. On Friday, September 26, 2025, Tiara was shot and killed in a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. Police have arrested a suspect, and he has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to friends and family, Tiara was always unapologetically her authentic self. She was originally from Saginaw, Michigan, but moved to Charlotte in the past couple of years. Tiara was an award-winning member of the ballroom community. She was creative, warm, and humorous. She worked at the Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. Vigils for Tiara are being held in Michigan and North Carolina, demonstrating the profound impact she had on those around her.
“My spirit grieves for Tiara and the profound loss felt by those who love her,” said Victoria Kirby York, Director of Public Policy and Programs. “On her social media, Tiara talked about this year being one of the hardest of her life and had recently asked her loved ones for financial support. All Black women are under unprecedented attack in the workplace and by elected leaders, with women of transgender experience facing additional hurdles that too often leave them with few safe employment options to survive. We must ensure the trans community has easy access to culturally competent resources that will alleviate bias-driven struggles surrounding employment, housing, and community support. We must all do more within the Black community to prevent the epidemic of violence facing all Black women by ensuring that potential perpetrators of these crimes know that the community will hold them accountable for any harm against us. Loving and respecting all Black transgender people is one way to honor Tiara’s life with action.”
Remember the lives of all of the Black trans siblings we have lost this year with action by viewing NBJC’s resources for the transgender and gender-expansive/non-conforming community HERE.
Learn more about reducing gender-based violence here and here. Look here to learn more about changing local laws and increasing protections for trans and non-binary community members.