Mercedes, also known as Merci, is a Community Curator, Artist and Executive Director and Founder of PrideXtended, Inc., a nonprofit organization which centers the wellbeing and security of Black LGBTQ+ people, with heightened urgency on Black trans folks. 

In May 2020, Mercédes obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing and Film from Hampshire College. Her senior thesis, an experimental documentary entitled, ‘The World and Then Some’ highlights the lived experiences of three Black and LGBTQ+ Boston youth. The film premiered at the First Annual PrideXtended Fest, a collaborative fundraising initiative with the Institute for Contemporary Arts (Boston), Boston Center for the Arts and fellow Black woman-led organization ‘Print Ain’t Dead’. During this virtual festival, Mercedes collaborated with community artists, entrepreneurs and collectives to highlight some of the work being done by her peers in Boston, including and not limited to: visual arts, business ownership, performing arts and community cultivation. This past fiscal year, PrideXtended tripled its annual reach, assisting individuals with micro-grants, transportation and food assistance and engaging arts and culture programming. In addition, they recently launched the Transformative Media Series, a monthly series dedicated to the exploration and celebration of media centering Black LGBTQ+ experiences. Through examinations of a vast array of video, writing, music, and visual art, their intention is to foster community, conversation and joy. 

By way of her efforts with her own organization and an array of community partnerships and collaborations, Mercedes Loving-Manley tangibly supports Black LGBTQ+ people.