Fuel Tona Brown's Global Podcast Vision

Vocalist, violinist, entrepreneur, and teacher Tona Brown has an international performance career throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe as a violinist and mezzo-soprano. Ms. Brown is also an advocate for transgender issues in the arts, often speaking and performing at colleges and universities. She is the first transgender woman of color to perform the National Anthem for a sitting President at the LGBT Leadership Gala Dinner for former President Barack Obama at the Sheraton in NYC. In 2014, she became the first transgender woman to headline at Carnegie Hall in a program of African-American composers with an all-inclusive LGBT cast of performers, which she is proud to say was grassroots-funded by the LGBTQ community and its allies.

Tona is now asking the community to help her take her new podcast, Conversations With Tona Brown, to the next level! The podcast is currently run by Tona and her producer, Sydney Jane, another African American woman based in Germany. We can’t believe the success and interest we’ve gained so far after only FOUR episodes. We currently have a waitlist of fantastic guests, because we simply don’t have enough time or resources on our own to handle the demand. We want to continue bringing you these GROUNDBREAKING conversations, so we need your help in supporting and expanding this black and LGBTQ-owned and run business!

The money you contribute will be used to cover editing expenses, production expenses, equipment like microphones, lighting, and new computers, advertising costs, and travel expenses. So far, we have been covering these costs out-of-pocket and with no sponsorships. Your contributions would do wonders to help grow our podcast, and continue to platform our message of love and unity, along with the incredible stories of our guests!

With invitations pending in Europe, Africa, Germany and Canada, we hope to make Conversations With Tona Brown a global sensation by bringing expansive and inclusive thinking to all corners of the world.

“I would like to take my message of love, hope, and authenticity around the world.” - Tona Brown

Tona feels “It’s time to get back to grassroots organizing, since major corporations are no longer funding LGBTQ events, charities, or shows!”. We know how powerful our organized community can be, which is why we are so grateful to be able to ask you to help our show grow and, in turn, give back! Tona is committed to giving scholarships to talented music students through her nonprofit “Music Saves Lives”, and creating performance opportunities for her students at area venues, performing for seniors who are often neglected, and providing instruments for students in need. You can be sure that as our podcast platform and opportunities grow, so will our service to the community.

Unfortunately, we were unable to successfully get corporations to sponsor our 10 Year Anniversary Show at Carnegie Hall, but Tona feels through grassroots organizing and fundraising, anything can be done. We know that this podcast platform is a worthy cause, and will be able to reach every demographic. With your help, Tona will not only be able to keep the podcast going and growing, but also be able to travel around the world and meet incredible guests - celebrities, community activists, musicians, fashion icons, politicians, etc. - to participate in Conversations With Tona Brown and help spread our important message: Trans visibility, protection, and care is visibility, protection, and care for all.

Tona knows the power of community support and she would not be where she is today without the help of so many influential people along the way. Let’s keep rallying for our community! Thank you in advance for your support!