Collaborations
MashUp! is deeply committed to fostering community engagement and collaboration with organizations that align with our mission of addressing health inequities and social injustices for Back LGBTQ+ people. Through strategic partnerships, we amplify resources, expand outreach, and create inclusive spaces for empowerment and support.
Our Collaborations: Social & Cultural Engagement
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Nashville Black Pride (Sponsor): The importance of our involvement with Black Pride lies in our vision of empowering the Black LGBTQ+ community. Black Pride is also an opportunity to call attention to three critical and interrelated areas of equity: economic equity, social equity, and health equity. MashUp! curates events and community engagement to promote these ideals and support our mission of addressing social inequalities that affect the community’s well-being.
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BLAQ Link: Supporting a dedicated space for 30+ Black lesbian and queer individuals to connect, build relationships, and strengthen their community.
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Nashville’s Ballroom Community: Uplifting the legacy of ballroom culture by fostering safe, affirming spaces for Black and Brown LGBTQ+ individuals to express themselves, celebrate identity, and build solidarity.
Our Partnerships: Advocacy & Support Networks
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Trans Aid Nashville (TAN): Providing aid, community, and empowerment for transgender individuals in the greater Nashville area through mutual aid, advocacy, and direct support services.
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Street Works: Partnering to prevent the spread of HIV and offer care, education, and advocacy for those affected, focusing on communities at the highest risk.
Our Partnerships: Health & Wellness Initiatives
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Black Health Mental Village: Collaborating on community-led healing initiatives to address mental health disparities among Black and minoritized communities, ensuring access to culturally competent care and support.
Past Health Partnership
MashUp! was proud to partner with the All of Us Research Program, a groundbreaking initiative from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) designed to reshape the future of healthcare by centering diversity, equity, and community voice. Together, we worked to ensure that Black LGBTQ+ folx were not just included—but respected, reflected, and prioritized in biomedical research.
The All of Us Research Program aims to build the largest and most diverse health database in history, with the goal of improving prevention, treatment, and care for all people—regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, zip code, or income. Unlike many studies, it’s not focused on one single disease. Instead, it empowers researchers to explore countless health conditions by drawing from a wide range of experiences, environments, and biological data.
When people from all backgrounds—especially those most impacted by health disparities—participate in research, it changes everything. Already, All of Us data has helped highlight health inequities, such as lower mental and social quality of life among LGB cancer survivors. This kind of knowledge inspires new studies, better care practices, and more informed policies that can improve the health of queer and trans people of color for generations to come.
As of now, over 700,000 participants have joined the All of Us program—and more than 7% identify as LGBTQ+. But we know there’s still more work to do.
