Meet our Founder, Jean
Mountain
Jean Mountain is a mother of four, career healthcare worker, award-winning author and nonprofit founder.
She’s doing all that in a black, indigenous, trans body; with a heart full of joy!
Ms. Jean, a member of the Red Lake nation, has called Minneapolis home for over 60 years. Her story offers perspective of the trans experience since 1980, and as an inter-sectional minority in our community. Ms. Jean’s story reminds us that only love can drive out hate.
Ms. Jean founded Hearts of Joy to provide safety, belonging and resources to those of the lgbtq+ community experiencing violence, alienation, and homelessness.
In 2021, Ms. Jean published children’s book, Yep, That’s My Mommy!, winning the Royal Dragonfly award.
Ms. Jean leads our Trans Focus(ed) support group on Saturdays. She also plans to open a thrift store in 2025 to provide safe employment to other trans community members.