Undergraduate Society of Black Leaders Brings Indya Moore to Ohio State for inspirational discussion

Indya Moore speaking with student moderator Washington Cole in the Ohio Union.

Credit: Chantal Brown

By Chantal Brown, Amani Bayo, Arianna Smith

Actress Indya Moore spoke in front of an audience of nearly 200 students to inspire students to creatively express themselves.

Moore, best known for the role of Angel Evangelista in the television drama “Pose,” spoke in depth about her experience as a transgender youth, their perception of Hollywood, and people following their artistic paths. The  student organization Undergraduate Society of Black Leaders and the Ohio Union Activities Board collaborated to host this event Monday in the Ohio Union. 

Moore said they experienced being in foster care as a teenager and dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. They said growing up, they lacked  parental and systematic support as a trans youth. Despite these obstacles, Moore said they never stopped expressing who they were. 

“Even though I didn’t have access to medical care, or hormone replacement therapy, or any other treatment and support for my transness, I went and I did it, and I still did it anyway from the street,” Moore said. 

Moore said they began modeling at the age of 15. While working, she met dancer and ballroom veteran José “Xtravaganza” Gutierez. Guitierez helped them get cast in the film Saturday Church and subsequently “Pose” shortly after. 

“Pose” was a television drama that depicted New York City’s underground ballroom culture. Moore’s character, Angel, is a Puerto Rican streetwalker who breaks into the modeling industry.

“The experiences have been very similar that I share with Angel about the lessons and survival,” Moore said. “Hopefully the characters will encourage people to love themselves and to see the beauty and experience of God.”

Joseph Jones, a third-year in accounting and USBL treasurer, said hosting Moore’s discussion aligned with the organization’s goals to inspire students and encourage others to find happiness within themselves despite life’s struggles.

“I really like what Indya was saying about being happy with yourself, being happy with yourself and being happy with who you are. Everyone is different . That’;s beautiful, that’s encouraged,” Joseph Jones, a third-year in accounting and USBL treasurer, said.

Aaron Brown, a fourth-year in marketing and OUAB member, also said hosting this event aligned with the goals OUAB has to engage students in discussions about identity. 

“We were excited about what they were bringing to the table. Intersectionality, that is something always important to talk about on campus especially since our campus is so dynamic,”

“Especially since USBL is a new student organization, being able to get that space for, again,  to activate and create excitement and get everyone’s name out is big,” Brown said.

Both Brown and Jones said the student response to Moore’s presence told them there are many students on campus with different experiences that are seeking to navigate and understand by learning about the experiences of others.

“We are on a diverse campus that’s very dynamic and it’s very important to embrace your differences and what makes you, you,” Jones said. 

Brown said he hopes to host more events like this to bring more members of the community into a space where important discussions about identity can be nurtured.

“You know, this event brought out a lot of people that I know and in my community out in one spot and I think at the end of the day it’s building that community of how we can continue to be authentic leaders in our our own lives,” Brown said. 

Jones said Moore spoke about personal authenticity and intersectionality which is an important conversation for students who struggle with their identity. 

Moore concluded their talk by expressing the importance of people approaching their creativity with courage. 

“An idea that I had is not the same,” Moore said “There is always something that you can think of that’s even a little different, and that little difference means the world in some way.”