Aria Sa’id
Work & Services
“I feel most happy when I am empowered. When I’m surrounded by people that I love. When I hear the stories of transgender women elders who know of a different era, and a different world than what we live in today. When I am loved in the ways that I desire- by my family, friends, and the sisterhood of transgender women- there’s something so magical that happens when we come together. I feel beautiful when I am embraced, seen, and respected.”
What I do
Services
Aria Sa’id is a celebrated thought leader on transgender human rights advocacy. With over 15 years in social change advocacy, she is able to share her expertise on creating innovative approaches to creatively address many of today’s social issues impacting marginalized communities.
Her consulting team, Aria Sa’id & Associates, works with for profit and NGO institutions in expanding equity for LGBTQI+ and Black communities. Ms. Sa’id has been fortunate to partner/consult and work with many of the world’s leading brands and companies in fostering inclusion.
Services Offered:
Thought Leadership on Transgender Cultural and Social Empowerment (Speaker)
Trainings:
Transgender & Gender Non Conforming Sensitivity & Inclusion
Racial Equity in the Workplace
leadership
current Work
For over 15 years, Ms. Aria Sa’id has dedicated her career to creatively tackling social problems that impact our communities the most. With a desire to create innovative approaches to address disparity, Ms. Sa’id and her work have focused on the following:
Creating Economic Empowerment Models for Transgender People:
From co-creating Guaranteed Income for Transgender People and launching the nation’s first pilot program of it’s kind in which 55 of our most impacted transgender community members receive $1,200 a month for 18 month– to creating an Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program that provides aspiring transgender entrepreneurs with “boot camp” style training and a $10k seed grant to launch their business- Aria has devoted much of her work to economic advancement for transgender people, and identifying innovative approaches in curing the economic barriers faced by most trans people. With over 75% of America’s transgender population having or facing employment discrimination and homelessness, Aria believes the root cause is stigma against transgender people. Creating Guaranteed Income opportunities for Transgender people in abject poverty- and in reverse, creating entrepreneurship pipelines for transgender people working in the service industries, Aria believes both efforts work together to eradicate abject poverty in our community.
Creating Cultural and Artistic Expression Spaces for + by trans folks:
Aria has focused on creating spaces that enrich transgender people culturally- and allow us to find ways to celebrate our experience in a world that does not want us to exist. From creating “The Riot Party” – a two-fold musical celebration featuring transgender performing artists and highlighting the historic preservation of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots.
The Transgender District Riot Party 2022
Expanding the Broader Public’s Understanding of Transgender and Sex Worker Communities:
Ms. Sa’id work has expanded global conversation on the human rights of transgender people- and people engaged in survival sex work. While more people know about transgender people and experiences than ever before- stigma and prejudice continue to impact our communities in grave ways- with more harm being committed towards transgender people and growing anti-trans rhetoric and legislation happening both in the United States and Western Europe, Aria continues to advocate for the broader public’s understanding of our experiences, and need for human rights.
These Black trans leaders are revolutionizing San Francisco | Good Morning America
Recognition
Awards & Honors

Civil Rights Award for the Compton's Transgender Cultural District
Alliance for a Better District 6
2019

Emerging Leader Award
San Francisco Transgender Day of Visibility
2017

Certificate of Honor
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
2018

2007 Scholar Award
Pride Foundation
2007

Certificate of Honor
California State Legislature Assembly
2018

Award for Public Service
Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative
2007

Heritage of Pride Award
San Francisco Pride
2018
Contact Me
Get In Touch
View more about Aria by exploring the site, or get in touch for bookings, workshops, and appearances.