NEON releases newest photo and video in its Black History legacy series, featuring Twiggy Pucci Garçon honoring legendary ballroom figure Willi Ninja

NEON, an ongoing digital content series that aims to increase the visibility of Black LGBTQ people, has released the latest photo and video in its Black History legacy series. This week, the series looks at the impact that legendary ballroom figure Willi Ninja has had on activist, advocate, and healer Twiggy Pucci Garçon. Check out the photo and video below:

Willi Ninja is known as the godfather of voguing, and led the charge in bringing ballroom culture to the mainstream in the 1980s and beyond. As the mother of the House of Ninja, Willi became a household name in New York, known for his dance, choreography, quick wit, and sharp tongue. Willi was featured in the 1990 documentary film Paris is Burning, which spotlights New York’s ballroom culture and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities that made a lasting impact on the subculture. The documentary also highlights the origins of voguing, which ultimately brought greater mainstream attention to Willi’s work. To this day, Willi is a recognized as a central figure in LGBTQ, gender, and performance scholarship for his nonconforming gender expression and trailblazing artistry.

Twiggy Pucci Garçon has collaborated with artists, filmmakers, academics and policymakers to increase visibility of both creative and sociopolitical agendas. With over 13 years of experience in the public health education and direct services, she has extensive knowledge of the needs of the LGBTQ youth population and how to foster relationships with organizations that offer effective quality services. Twiggy is the Senior Program Director at True Colors United. She also sits on the Board of Directors for Doc Society and serves as a consultant and choreographer on Ryan Murphy’s 7-time Emmy nominated hit FX series, Pose. She is a consulting programmer for Outfest, Newfest, and Outfest Fusion, the Overall Overseer for the Legendary International House of Comme Des Garcon, and the Chief Ambassador for the Center for Black Equity.

Twiggy, along with LGBTQ celebs Janet Mock and Laverne Cox, shared NEON’s video on social media:

Launched last week, NEON leverages the power of storytelling and GLAAD’s platform to create multi-dimensional, accurate portraits of the Black LGBTQ experience. NEON’s Black history legacy series will continue throughout the month of February, releasing one photo and video of a Black LGBTQ legacy person from a variety of disciplines every Tuesday and Thursday.

For more information about NEON, including members of the team and upcoming content, click here.