In part, this is because the messaging they’re given in the world around them doesn’t resonate with who they are, and evidence shows that if they receive any support to counter that – either at school or home – their risk of suicide decreases substantially. When Morgan Walsh and Keiko Feldman recognized there was a need for representation in school libraries they took matters into their own hands and created Gender Nation to work directly with California public schools to fill school libraries with books LGTBQ+ kids can identify with.

On this episode, Morgan joins Ronit to talk about how her own family’s journey inspired her to co-found this nonprofit which now has a thriving booklist curated with input from educators, Gender Spectrum, PTAs and principals and also shares some of her favorite recommendations for books that offer messages of support and inclusivity.

Morgan is an actor, writer, producer, entrepreneur and mother of three living in Los Angeles. She has worked in film and television for over 20 years, most recently starring in BET’s Games People Play. She is the co-founder of 10th Avenue Tea, which in 2017 was awarded Most Innovative Product by Expo West.

The idea for Gender Nation emerged in 2014, as Morgan connected with parents supporting LGBTQ+ youth in her community. She believes – and the evidence shows – that exposure to inclusive and uplifting stories helps kids feel more seen and heard, minimizing bullying and fostering a better learning environment.