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16th Annual LGBTQA College Leadership 

Conference

BREAking out:

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Visibility & Inclusion in Leadership Spaces

Friday October 19, 2018 at Pratt Institute

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ABOUT

About

For more than 16 years, northern New Jersey has held a regional LGBTQA college leadership conference. This year’s conference will be held at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and serves as a one-day educational and leadership development opportunity for college students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. It will bring together participants from across the tri-state area to explore and develop the skills necessary to continue building and supporting a united and inclusive queer movement.
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The conference is hosted by a consortium of colleges and universities, which this year includes Hudson County Community College, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Pratt Institute, and William Paterson University. 
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FREE for students with valid college, university, or high school ID (high school students must be accompanied by an adult).
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$15 for non-students.
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Transportation may be provided; contact your school for details.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

2018 Conference Schedule

9:00 a.m - 10:00 a.m.

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10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

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10:30 a.m. - 11:50 p.m.

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12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

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1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

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3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

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4:15 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Registration Check-In and Breakfast 

Sign up for open mic

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Welcome 

Dr. Esmilda Abreu, AVP for Student Affairs & Conference Chair (Pratt Institute)

Helen Matusow-Ayres, Vice President for Student Affairs (Pratt Institute)

Nsombi Ricketts, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Pratt Institute)

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True Colors

Jazmin A. Peralta, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Pratt Institute)

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Workshop Session I

  • Sexuality and Spirituality: Exposing the Myths and Exploring the Truths. Presenter: Rev. Diana Wilcox

  • The Road to Inclusivity. Presenter: Chrystal Mateo

  • LGBTQI Dating and Domestic Violence: Myths, Symptoms, and Signs. Presenter: Jim Collier

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Lunch and Open Mic (Sign up for Open Mic at registration table)

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Workshop Session II

  • Someone You Love is a Sex Worker: Rights, Leadership, & Community. Presenter: Jessica Peñaranda

  • Polyamory and Poly Ethics. Presenter: Jé Hooper

  • Suicidality and Understanding Our LGBTQ Students. Presenter Donnalynn Scillieri

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Plenary Session

Student Leadership Panel, moderated by Matthew Diaz (William Paterson University)

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Closing Remarks

Frances Bronet, President of Pratt Institute

2018 PRESENtations

 

Workshop Session I

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Sexuality and Spirituality: Exposing the Myths and Exploring the Truths

Presenter: Rev. Diana Wilcox (she, her, hers)

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Think the bible condemns homosexuality?  Think again. In this workshop, the Rev. Diana L. Wilcox will offer a brief overview of the ways in which biblical interpretation has been overtaken by literal fundamentalism, which offers a misguided scriptural lens that has resulted in horrific abuse of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers.  Following that will be an open discussion in which participants can ask their own questions, and together with Mtr. Diana, bust through some of the myths of Christianity, getting to the core truth of the faith. This workshop is open to all - Christians or not, persons of faith or not.

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The Road to Inclusivity

Presenter: Chrystal Mateo (she, her, hers)

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There is a culture share in the beginning of this workshop. If you are willing and able, please bring something that has significant value to you related to your culture, and be prepared to share with the rest of the group. (Please note that you do not have to participate in the culture share to attend this workshop as it is completely optional.) In this workshop we will explore the various roles students serve as empowered leaders and evaluate different forms of inclusivity – from student activities to the classroom. As LGBTQ allies we will discuss helpful hints and ways to be intentionally inclusive.
 

LGBTQI Dating and Domestic Violence: Myths, Symptoms, and Signs

Presenter: Jim Collier (he, him, his)

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An open forum that speaks to misconceptions among LGBTQI community members on domestic abuse, their effects on the education/workspace, social bias and cultural norms.

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Workshop Session II

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Someone You Love is a Sex Worker: Rights, Leadership, & Community

Presenter: Jessica Peñaranda (she, her, hers)

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In this workshop, we will explore why we should care about our  sex worker community, why sex worker is an LGBTQ issue and engage in an intentional dialogue around stigma, criminalization, harm, and the lack of protections and human rights for the sex working community in our society. We will also interrogate why there is continued lack of inclusion and leadership of sex workers in our movement for queer liberation and beyond. We present an invitation in this dialogue to co-create and be co-conspirators in advancing the movement for liberation and taking active roles in centering the leadership of sex workers within our communities.

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Polyamory and Poly Ethics

Presenter: Jé Hooper (he, him, his)

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'Ephphatha' is an ancient healing method, which means "be open."  Culturally, we have limited our relationality practice by either being closed off, closed in--possessive, closed up with uncertainty, or closed down due to unworthiness.  However,  to be open, or polyamorous is cautionary queering of relationship that may porvide that healing.  Here, we will discuss various practices, ethics, and the navigation of agency within polyamory.

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Suicidality and Understanding Our LGBTQ Students

Presenters: Donnalynn Scillieri (she, her, hers) & Victoria Levine (she, her, hers)

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This session will explain the need for faculty and staff to comprehend and help our LGBTQ students, so together we are able to provide, cultivate and sustain a supportive and nurturing campus environment. The Center for Disease Control reports suicide is the second leading cause of death in ages as young as 10 to 34. The Trevor Report states that LGB students are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.  In September 2018, The Human Rights Campaign released 50% of transgender males have attempted suicide, 30% of transgender females and 41% of non-binary youth. The workshop will examine the violence, harassment and displacement that affects the mental health of our lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, genderqueer, asexual and intersex students with suggestions to implement to help our students.

PRESENTATIONS

2018 PRESENTers

PRESENTERS

Sexuality & Spirituality: Exposing the Myths and Exploring the Truths

Presenter: The Rev. Diana Wilcox (she, her, hers)

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The Rev. Diana Wilcox is the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Bloomfield and Glen Ridge, and served as a chaplain at Montclair State University from 2010-2017. Mtr. Diana has a strong commitment to justice and equality, particularly for gender equity and LGBTQ rights. On campus, her student group was awarded the Nelson Mandela Award for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity (2014), and Mtr. Diana was also nominated for an Ally Award (2011). She was also recently a panelist at the American Conference on Diversity in Higher Education workshop on creating inclusive neighborhoods, where she spoke about her leadership in creating an ecumenical response to the Orlando Pulse Nightclub murders. She holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Drew University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Prior to becoming an Episcopal priest, Mtr. Diana worked in the Information Technology management field for over 20 years, her last position as the Vice President for Open Systems Engineering and Global Program Management for AIG. Before AIG, she was a management consultant for CSC Consulting, working with large multi-nationals. She lives in Sussex County with her dog and two cats, who keep her busy and laughing.

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The Road to Inclusivity

Presenter: Chrystal Mateo (she, her, hers)

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Chrystal Mateo is a first-generation American whose parents were born in Cuba and came to the United States seeking refuge from Fidel Castro’s regime. As the daughter of immigrants, the importance of getting an education was always instilled in her. After she came out to her parents as a lesbian, they emphasized how important it would be for her to armor herself with an education. With this in mind, she graduated from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s in English and is currently in her last year of the Masters in Educational Technology program at New Jersey City University (NJCU). After which she plans on pursuing her PhD in Educational Research in Europe.  Chrystal is currently the Program Assistant at the Speicher–Rubin Women’s Center for Equity and Diversity at NJCU where she works alongside brilliant minds to provide students with E.A.S.E, education, advocacy, support, and empowerment, as they navigate through the college experience and beyond.

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LGBTQI Dating and Domestic Violence: Myths, Symptoms, and Signs

Presenter: Jim Collier (he, him, his)

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James Collier has been an active member of the LGBTQA community for over 20 years. James founded the Long Island Bears Club in 1997 and in 2007 co-founded the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus where at its peak, had over 50 singing members. He is currently a Human Resources professional specializing in Organizational Development and training. James spent 20 years in the retail sector and has recently moved to the corporate sector. He enjoys a life on the North Shore of Eastern Long Island, with his Husband, son and their dog Ivy where he is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Human Resources at Stony Brook University.
 

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When Someone You Love is a Sex Worker

Presenter: Jessica Peñaranda (she, her, hers)

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Jessica Peñaranda is a longtime social justice advocate, social service provider, and cultural strategist who values creativity and innovation to inspire social change. She currently serves as the Director of Movement Building at The Sex Workers Project, Urban Justice Center, leading three key areas of growth and focus for the project: Community Engagement & Client Leadership, Training, and Public Policy and Advocacy. Jessica is passionate about leading this work through an intersectional, anti-oppressive framework with an emphasis on cultural humility, restorative justice practices informed by her lived experiences as a Queer Latinx immigrant woman of color.

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Polyamory and Poly Ethics

Presenter: Jé R. Hooper (he, him, his)

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Jé R. Hooper is the founder of FrequencyHouse Productions, clergy Leader, member of Beta Gamma Chi, and a recent, Ph.D Interdisciplinary Arts candidate at Ohio University. His work promotes the intersections of art, sexuality, justice, and religious ethics in efforts to expand social equity within sacred and public sectors. Within his transdisciplinary approach, he skillfully engages epistemic communication, reclamation of memory, body performativity, and fierce speech act as social resistance.  His works include, the co-production of Black Queer Love podcast, “Moving Upon the Face of the Deep” featuring Dr. Cornel West concert, “The Black Sacred Communion” within Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture and the collaboration with his life partner,  storäe michele, “the listening heart.” Currently, Jé is completely a film, entitled “Humanitas: A Conscious Coloring of Kindness” which funded by the Mossler Fellowship.

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Suicidality and Understanding Our LGBTQ Students

Presenters: Donnalynn Scillieri (she, her, hers) and Victoria Levine (she, her, hers)

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Donnalynn Scillieri is a human rights advocate, professional speaker, coordinator and moderator for events focusing on LGBT issues, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She is professor at William Paterson University, Kean University, New Jersey City University and Ramapo College; teaching Gendered Lives and Societies, Social Issues, Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies, Gender, Culture and Sexuality, Diversity and Difference, Sociology, and the New Student Experience. Until recently, she was on the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence and headed the LGBT Task Force. She earned a BFA in graphic design and art history from WPUNJ and an MA in arts management from MSU. Donnalynn's daughter, Victoria Levine, will be co-presenting.  Victoria was the inspiration behind this workshop and is a criminal justice major transferring to William Paterson University, Spring 2019.
 

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Sponsors & Vendors

SPONSORS &

VENDORS

​The Ali Forney Center: An organization dedicated to protect LGBTQ youths from the harms of homelessness and empower them with the tools needed to live independently. They provide LGBTQ young people housing and a continuum of supportive services to help them thrive and prepare them for independent living. https://www.aliforneycenter.org

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​Partners in Prevention:  An agency dedicated to improving wellness and preventing substance use disorders and related health challenges in Hudson County and New Jersey. Please visit http://www.partners-in-prevention.com/about-us/

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Simply Arte: Exquisite gemstone jewelry

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LOCATION
DirectionS & Parking

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PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Grand Central Station

Take the downtown 4 or 5 train to the Fulton Street station. Take the Brooklyn-bound A or C train to the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station. Cross platform and take the G train (front car) to the Clinton-Washington station. Use Washington Avenue exit. On Washington, walk one block north to DeKalb Avenue. Turn right onto DeKalb and proceed one block to Hall Street/Saint James to the corner gate of the Pratt campus.

Penn Station

Take the Brooklyn-bound A or C train to the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station. Cross platform and take G train (front car) to the Clinton-Washington station. Use Washington Avenue exit and then follow directions above to campus.

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DRIVING

BQE heading west/south

Exit 31, Wythe Avenue/Kent Avenue. Stay straight to go onto Williamsburg Street W., which becomes Williamsburg Place, then Park Avenue. Turn left onto Hall Street. Proceed two blocks to Willoughby Avenue. Make a left on Willoughby. Campus is on right.

BQE heading east/north

Exit 30, Flushing Avenue. Bear left onto Classon Avenue, then turn left onto Flushing Avenue. Turn left on to Washington Avenue. Proceed two blocks to Willoughby Avenue. Make a left on Willoughby. Campus is on right.

West Side Manhattan

Via Manhattan Bridge. Travel east on Canal Street to Manhattan Bridge. Exit bridge to Flatbush Avenue. Turn left onto Lafayette Avenue. Proceed 15 blocks. Make a left turn onto Washington Avenue. Go two blocks. Make a right turn onto Willoughby Avenue. Campus is on the right.

East Side Manhattan

Via Brooklyn Bridge. Travel south on the FDR Drive (also called East River Drive) to Brooklyn Bridge exit. Exit bridge to Tillary Street. Turn left on Tillary to Flatbush Avenue. Turn left onto Lafayette Avenue. Proceed 15 blocks. Make a left turn onto Washington Avenue. Go two blocks. Make a right turn onto Willoughby Avenue. Campus is on the right.

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AIRPORTS

Newark

After the exit, continue towards US-1/US-9/Newark-Elizabeth (US-22. Continue on US-1 & 9 North towards Port Newark. US-1 & 9 North becomes 12th Street. Continue on Boyle Plaza, which becomes Holland Tunnel. Take the tunnel towards Brooklyn/Downtown and continue on Beach Street to Walker Street. Continue on Canal Street to the Manhattan Bridge. Cross the bridge to Flatbush Avenue Extension. Turn left onto Lafayette Avenue. Proceed 15 blocks. Make a left turn onto Washington Avenue. Go two blocks. Make a right turn onto Willoughby Avenue. Campus is on the right.

Kennedy

Take the Airport Exit on I-678 South and continue towards Terminals 8 & 9. Go toward Terminal 9 Departures. Bear right towards the Van Wyck Expressway/Airport Exit. Continue on the Van Wyck/I-678 North. Take the 1B-2/Belt Parkway exit towards the Verrazano Bridge. Take exit #1B to North Conduit Avenue, which becomes North Conduit Boulevard. Take Belt Parkway West towards the Verrazano Bridge. Take the North Conduit Avenue exit, #17W. Continue on Nassau Expressway/North Conduit Avenue. Bear left on Atlantic Avenue. Proceed 5 miles. Turn right onto Washington Avenue and go 7 blocks. Turn right onto Willoughby Avenue. Campus is on right.

 

PARKING is subject to availability (must be requested)

 

NOTE: All buses will drop off conference attendees at 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205

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Registration
Student admission is Free
Non-students: $15.00
REGISTRATION
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