Tyler Clementi Center at RU

📸 Recap 25-26 Tyler Clementi Center Recognition Luncheon

This week, we gathered at the Rutgers Club to celebrate the students, campus partners, and Rutgers community members who make TCC’s work possible.

From meaningful conversations to moments of recognition, the afternoon reminded us that this work is sustained by people who uplift one another—taking time to celebrate both the impact and the joy in what we do.

We were especially honored to celebrate Dr. Melanie R. Hill and her book, “Colored Women Sittin’ on High: Womanist Sermonic Practice in Literature and Music,” uplifting the voices and contributions of Black women through scholarship, storytelling, and community impact.

Thank you to everyone who continues to make this work inspiring, collective, and impactful. 💛

In partnership with Student Affairs, we are hosting upcomimg interactive trainings that explore Jewish and Muslim experiences, the history of antisemitism and Islamophobia, current campus climate, and allyship strategies. Engage in dynamic, research-backed sessions that offer practical tools, reflection, and resources to deepen your understanding of identity, diversity, and community:

Muslim Ally Zone

Develop informed support for Muslim individuals and communities, learn about Islamic traditions, and confront Islamophobia.

Monday, February 23rd | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | New Brunswick Theological Seminary, Hegeman Hall

Register at go.rutgers.edu/muslimallyrsvp

Jewish Ally Zone

Build awareness and allyship with Jewish communities, explore cultural history, and address antisemitism.

Thursday, March 5th | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | New Brunswick Theological Seminary, Hegeman Hall

Register at go.rutgers.edu/jewishallyzone

🎓 Are you an educator, TA, or someone passionate about teaching? Join this engaging Lunch & Learn event led by Diana Sánchez (Ph.D. Candidate) to explore how to make your teaching materials more accessible for diverse learners!

Learn practical strategies to create inclusive classrooms that support students with disabilities and neurodiversity while enjoying sandwiches, desserts, and drinks 🍪🥪
📅 Multiple sessions available — including a hybrid option!
🎉This event is proudly supported by the 2024–2025 IDEA Innovation Grant.

Heightened Scrutiny 🎬
A powerful look at the fight for transgender adolescents’ access to gender-affirming healthcare and civil rights 🏳️‍⚧️⚖️

Watch on demand now through Nov 16:
go.rutgers.edu/watchhsfilm 💻
In-person screening: Nov 7 @ 8PM • Honors College S124 🎥

Workshop Spotlight: People, Power, and Context, coming up this Thursday⏰

How do our identities and social positions shape power and influence the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion? Join us for an engaging virtual workshop to unpack the ways context shifts power, and how understanding these dynamics can strengthen collaboration, empathy, and impact.

🗓️ Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 1–3 PM
💻 Virtual Event
🔗 RSVP: go.rutgers.edu/powerrsvp

In Honor of Trans Awareness Week 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️
Join us for “Crisis, Care, and Courage: An Afternoon with Chase Strangio”, featuring Chase Strangio (He/Him), attorney and Co-Director of the ACLU LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project.

In this timely conversation, Chase will explore the urgent state of transgender justice we are facing now—from rising anti-trans legislation to the ongoing fight for healthcare, safety, and dignity. Grounded in history, resilience, and community care, this talk offers tools for navigating political divides, using personal narrative to build bridges, and mobilizing for change—offering inspiration and strategy for anyone committed to equity and justice.

🗓️ Thursday, November 13, 2025
🕧 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Reception to Follow
📍 Gathering Lounge, Livingston Student Center
🔗 RSVP: go.rutgers.edu/chase

This October, we stand together against bullying and commit to being Upstanders — creating safer, more compassionate spaces where differences are valued.


In honor of Tyler Clementi’s legacy, we invite you to take the Upstander Pledge — a commitment to speak up and take actions whenever you see or hear a bullying behavior. Visit 🔗tylerclementi.org/pledge/ to learn more!

Meet Jakob (he/they)!
Jakob is one of our incredible members of Tyler’s Legacy Board as an Undergraduate Student, School of Arts and Sciences,pursuing a major in Earth and Planetary Science and minor Organizational Leadership. Jakob is also proudly serving as the president the Rutgers Q***r Qaucus.

💬 “I joined Tyler‘s Legacy Board to promote diversity and inclusion. It is important to spread awareness in every department and resource that the university offers.“

We're excited to have Emily on board! As a student advisor from the School of Public Health and a dedicated advocate for disability rights, Emily brings valuable expertise to Tyler's Legacy Board. She's also a proud Rutgers alum as a RU undergraduate 🎓

📸 Event Recap: 2025 Inclusion Summit (1/2)

Last week, our community gathered at the Livingston Student Center for a day of learning, dialogue, and solidarity under the theme Honor Legacy, Take Action.

The morning opened with a powerful keynote from Cathy Renna (she/her), Communications Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force, who shared lessons in hope, resilience, and the power of storytelling across three decades of LGBTQ+ advocacy. Cathy then joined Dr. Erica Friedman (she/he/they) to bridge principles of communication into everyday practices of allyship.

We then took part in an unforgettable performance workshop with coLAB Arts, where community-powered theatre🎭 and creative arts🖍sparked conversation on how Tyler Clementi’s story continues to shape our collective understanding of belonging, empathy, and inclusion.

Thank you to our speakers, facilitators, staff, volunteers, every attendee who joined us — your energy made the 2025 Inclusion Summit possible.