In connection with The Center’s RiseOut initiative, an advocacy and community mobilization program that works to achieve justice and equity for all LGBTQ New Yorkers, we are pleased to invite applications for our first Activist-in-Residence Fellowship Program. The Center seeks to contribute to the social justice movement by investing in the next generation of Black, Indigenous and other leaders of color who are committed to transforming social and economic conditions, and to advancing equity and opportunity for the LGBTQ community in New York. In its inaugural year, the program seeks to specifically and intentionally support Black LGBTQ New Yorkers as fellows.

The fellowship program will provide support to individuals who are established or emerging activists, including creatives and influencers who have bold, cutting-edge ideas for advancing LGBTQ rights in New York State. We seek proposals for projects that highlight underrepresented communities and align with the main focus areas of the RiseOut program, including: 

• The advancement of equity for and inclusion of transgender and gender nonconforming people of color
• Increased access to LGBTQ+ affirming mental and physical health services
• Promoting restorative justice principles
• Enhancing LGBTQ visibility and affirmation across sectors 
• Economic justice and advancement opportunities 

We strongly encourage projects that leverage new models for achieving change, or are carrying established methods of change forward, in an innovative way. We are looking for individuals who understand the importance of building power within the Black community, and can demonstrate that understanding through their project. Proposals can be any form that promotes awareness, fosters dialogue and advances the mission of RiseOut. This includes research, storytelling, community building, public education campaigns, visual arts, digital media and more. 

This Fellowship is made possible due to generous, charitable donations from Susie Scher/Goldman Sachs Gives and Jan Siegmund.

BENEFITS FOR ACTIVISTS

Activists-in-Residence receive a range of benefits for their fellowship work as outlined below:

• A stipend of $15,000 to support their work over the course of 12 months, as well as basic technical supplies to engage in the work 
• Engagement with the RiseOut program team, including attending civic engagement- and advocacy-related events and trainings 
• Participation in relevant conferences, training and networking opportunities such as Creating Change, Netroots Nation and others
• Connections to key Center partners across a range of sectors and industries
• Access to professional development opportunities offered to full-time staff of The Center
• As appropriate, assistance from Center staff on other aspects of the approved project
• Monthly check-ins with RiseOut program team to build camaraderie and support for execution of project 
• For NYC-based activists, office space at The Center of up to 10 hours per week as needed, with IT access and resources, to support the development of their work (Note: this benefit will be contingent on our physical building re-opening)

Questions about the fellowship can be directed to advocacy@gaycenter.org. 

2021 FELLOWS

SEMI-FINALISTS

Jia Hurd (they/she) is a Black, non-binary femme from the South Bronx. They are a mental health advocate, suicide attempt survivor, creative, social worker, and community organizer. Jia currently leads a COVID-19 response mental health project that has served 500+ QBIPoC across the USA and around the world, without any cost to the individual. Their goal is to expand the project so that they can offer QTBIPOC mental health retreats and support groups specifically for those suffering from schizophrenia.

Jasmine Hearn (they/she) is from the occupied land of the Karankawa and Atapake people, now known as Houston, TX. A performer, director, choreographer, organizer, teaching artist, and a 2017 Bessie award winning performer, they are currently a company member with Urban Bush Women, a 2019 Jerome Foundation Jerome Hill Fellow, and a part of the collective, Skeleton Architecture. They plan to develop a shared practice format, grounded in movement and expression, which will be flexible and responsive in having the capacity to be shared in physical and digital spaces.

Elijah Li (he/him), a New York native, is an LGBT advocate, community business owner, writer, designer, and engineer. Elijah’s advocacy centers on marginal identity, community development/empowerment and visibility as it relates to LGBT minorities. One of his next goals is to create a project centered masterclass to foster teen LGBTQ storytellers, providing them a safe, engaging and hands-on online learning environment, where they will be charged to utilize foundational production techniques to write, produce, direct and edit an original short film.