Transgender Activist, Actress Mj Rodriguez Returns To Newark

NEWARK, NJ — “Pose” star and Newark native Mj Rodriguez recently returned to her hometown offer much-appreciated advice on life, bullying and love to some students from her old high school.

Last month, Rodriguez – a transgender actress who plays Blanca on the hit television show – paid a visit to 3rd Space, a co-working center on Lafayette Street, where she spoke to an audience that included students from Newark Arts High School.

Rodriguez’s return to the Brick City came in support of National Bully Prevention Month.

Speaking with award-winning author Aliya King, Rodriguez spoke about growing up in Newark, recalling how her mother’s love helped her to remain authentic.

Rodriguez said she saw “hard times” growing up. Her artistic background – she’s a veteran of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s youth theater program – didn’t make things any easier.

“People who are artistic, they call us everything in the book,” she told her audience. “But we're the ones who are making things happen, especially kids of color.”

Art eventually helped to give the actress a platform that she’s used to advocate for social justice issues. Check out a video from Rodriguez’s recent visit to Newark below.

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