Laverne Cox

Actress, speaker, and trans advocate Laverne Cox explores how the intersections of race, class, and gender uniquely affect the lives of trans women of color. She tells the story of the unique challenges along her journey to womanhood, professional achievement, self-acceptance, and love.

Cox is an Emmy-nominated actress and Emmy-winning producer of the Netflix original series Orange is The New Black, where she plays the ground-breaking role of Sophia Burset. Cox is the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show. 

In addition to acting, Cox is a renowned speaker and has taken her message of empowerment and challenging gender expectations all over the country. Her work as an advocate landed her a coveted spot as one of Glamour magazine’s 2014 Women of the Year. She is the recipient of the Dorian Rising Star Award for her work in Orange is the New Black, the Courage Award from the Anti-Violence Project, The Community Leader Award from the LGBT Center of New York City, and the Reader's Choice Award from Out Magazine. Cox was also included in TheGrio's 100 Most Influential African-Americans, the Top 50 Trans Icons by The Huffington Post, Out Magazine’s Out 100, the Ebony Power 100, and was ranked #5 on The Root’s 2014 Root 100 list.