Laverne Cox is an actress, producer and transgender advocate.  She is the first African American transgender woman to produce and star in her own television show, VH1’s critically acclaimed “TRANSForm Me.”   “TRANSform Me” was nominated for a GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program in 2011 and was the first television show to star three transsexual women.  Laverne made television history when she became the first African American transgender woman to appear on a reality television program, VH1’s “I Wanna Work for Diddy” in 2008.  She accepted the GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program for “I Want to Work for Diddy” in 2009.

In 2012 Laverne garnered critical acclaim for her role in the independent feature film “Musical Chairs” directed by Susan Seidelman.  Keith Uhlich of “Time Out” wrote, “You leave remembering…Laverne Cox’s galvanizing mettle as a paraplegic transsexual who befriends Mia.”  Roger Ebert wrote, “Laverne Cox...brings a nice warmth and humor to her performance. “  John Delia of “Beyond The Marquee” proclaims, "The showstopper, however, is Laverne Cox who plays the transgender Chantelle, an energetic whirlwind looking for love in all the right places." 

Laverne has had guest starring roles on NBC’s "Law and Order" and "Law and Order: SVU", as well as HBO’s "Bored to Death."   Her other independent film credits include “Carla,”  “36 Saints” and “The Exhibitionists.” 

Laverne was named one of “Out” magazine’s Out 100 in 2010.  Metro Source magazine named her one of the “55 People We Love” in 2008.   

As a transgender advocate Laverne continues to lend her voice to the cause of transgender visibility and equality.  Laverne is committed to telling diverse and three dimensional transgender stories in the media.  She is also a regular contributor to The Huffington Post.