YOU(th) Belong
YOU(th) Belong is a dynamic, youth-centered leadership and intergenerational virtual community program for young people ages 13–25 across the U.S. Designed for today’s evolving social landscape, the program blends advocacy, creative expression, and leadership development to empower young people to shape their communities and their futures.
To ensure youth voices remain central,
the program includes two leadership bodies:
Youth Advisory Council (ages 13–17) – shaping program design and peer engagement
Youth Steering Committee (ages 18–25) – guiding strategy, partnerships, and community initiatives
At its core, YOU(th) Belong is grounded in a youth leadership development model that supports participants in building the skills, confidence, and relationships needed to lead with purpose.
Through monthly gatherings, leadership cohorts, and collaborative projects, young people develop competencies in:
Self-awareness and identity expression
Communication and storytelling (including creative arts and digital media)
Community organizing and advocacy
Collaborative leadership and team-building
Civic engagement and social impact strategy
YOU(TH) BElong Leadership
Tim’m West
Founder and Visionary -
Tim’m T. West (he/they) is an award-winning educator, poet, hip-hop artist, and advocate whose three-decade career bridges classrooms, concert stages, and community movements. A graduate of Duke, The New School, and Stanford, he has transformed personal narrative into public service at the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and social justice. Living openly with HIV since 1999, Tim’m has led national efforts to dismantle stigma through art, education, and mentorship—holding leadership roles with AID Atlanta, Houston’s St. Hope Foundation, and Chicago’s Center on Halsted. A former faculty member at The New School and Cal Poly Humboldt, he also launched Teach For America’s groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Initiative, shaping inclusion across 50+ regions. Now Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, he advances youth advocacy, research, and intersectional leadership through programs like the Georgia Youth Advocacy Fellowship, National Youth Advocacy Corps, and IGNYTE Symposium. Widely recognized as a pioneer of queer hip hop and named one of 31 Icons of LGBT History Month, Tim’m recently received the Stanford Pride Trailblazer Award for his enduring commitment to equity and liberation.
ANtHONY “AJ” MIze
Acting Director
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Anthony Mize Jr. (he/him/his) is an educator and strategist specializing in global education, organizational culture, and professional leadership development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications, with concentrations in Integrated Marketing Communications and Music, from Tennessee State University, and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.
His professional experience spans higher education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors, including work in student affairs, human resources, and culture and belonging initiatives, with a focus on fostering inclusive environments and advancing student and professional success.
SOLAnGE TRAN
Visionary Storyteller-
Solange Tran (she/her) is an Atlanta-based visual storyteller and the founder of It's Majik Media, where she helps travel, wellness, experience-led brands, and cultural institutions build emotional connection and visibility through stories that move people. Through her work, Solange captures the small, authentic details that make an experience feel real, creating video and brand content that brings her clients’ visions to life. Since launching It’s Majik Media in September 2024, she has become known for blending cinematic creativity with message clarity, helping organizations tell stories that resonate deeply and inspire action. Her work reflects a belief that storytelling is most powerful when it is rooted in purpose, emotion, and human connection. Beyond her professional work, Solange is an active volunteer with You(th) Belong, supporting queer youth in Atlanta and helping create spaces where young people feel seen, safe, and celebrated.
YOU(th) Belong
Steering Committee Members
Richard Mabry
Advisory Board Alum & Steering Committee Member-
Richard Mabry (he/him) is an up and coming college freshman attending Dillard University in the fall. He is originally from Griffin, GA where he was in the Arts Honors Society and was introduced to YOU(th) Belong at Compassion-Con Atlanta 2023 where he helped design the YOU(th) Belong soapbox. Since then he’s been active in various YOU(th) Belong events, so much that he wanted to help steer the direction of future programs as a youth leader. He hopes to pursue a degree that combines his interests in art with his aspirations to become a therapist, with a possible specialization in art therapy.
Steering Committee Member Onyx Peterson
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Onyx Peterson (He/They/Xe) is an incoming freshman to Agnes Scott College. They are interested in studying Anthropology, Biology, and Human Rights. At their school, Onyx pioneered a course on disability history and accessible design, guiding 8th-grade students to imagine and create a more inclusive world. They were also a founding member of both their school’s GSA and IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and action) program, where they worked to foster LGBTQ+ acceptance and community support. Beyond advocacy, Onyx has conducted and published research on sexual dimorphism in hominin species in the American Student Journal of Research, and will continue their research work this summer.
Freddi Rogers
Steering Committee Member & Summer Intern-
Freddi Rogers (they/them) is a sophomore at Agnes Scott College who is interested in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as Anthropology, Human Rights, and Sociology. Originally from Brookhaven, GA, they were active in the GSA at Dekalb School of the Arts and co-founded a group called Gayme Day with their twin sister and dad who is pastor where youth played games and had boba or coffee while talking about issues facing queer and allied youth. A dynamic leader, Freddi was part of the youth leadership team at the Oak Grove UMC Youth Group and on the committee for queer inclusion. Finally, Freddi is the treasurer on the Exec Board of ASCEND!— an organization that works to create events that are inclusive of queer people.
Steering Committee MemberJanani Suresh
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Janani Suresh (she/her) works at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Haverford College with a BA in Anthropology and a concentration in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights. Her undergraduate thesis, "The Pedagogy of Political Science Education: How Modern Scholarship Affects BIPOC, Women, Queer, Low-Income, and Disabled Students" is informed by the writings of bell hooks and Paulo Freire and grapples with the failures of modern social studies classes in providing a bias-free classroom experience for students holding historically marginalized identities. Her professional experience as a programs coordinator for the museum has allowed her to pursue a career in education in her home state of Georgia.
Treasure Von Holland
Advisory Board Alum & Steering Committee Member-
Treasure Von-Holland (any/all pronouns) is a sophomore at Georgia State University. They are an advocate and volunteer with various organizations, efforting to spread awareness of issues against marginalized groups and assist in uplifting many. She is a GLADD 2025 "20 under 20" honoree. Treasure is an aspiring Biologist planning to go into medical research where he will focus on disease diagnostics.
YOU(th) Belong Advisory Council Members
Lydia Berry
Advisory Council Member-
Lydia Berry (she/her) is a senior at Midtown High School with a strong passion for environmental justice and community advocacy. She is a dedicated leader who works to create meaningful change both in her school and throughout Atlanta. Through her research with the National Youth Advocacy Corps, she has advocated for policies and initiatives that support underserved communities. Lydia is committed to using research, leadership, and service to build a more equitable and sustainable future.
Tamiyah Butler
Advisory Council Member-
Tamiyah Butler (she/her) is an upcoming freshman at Hapeville Charter Academy who is very creative. She also is very helpful to whoever needs it and outgoing. Tamiyah has found herself in a lot challenges and obstacles but has always seem to be able to overcome and find a solution for every one. She doesn’t stop until she figures it out! Overall Tamiyah is a very intelligent, helpful ,caring, inventive person.
Kaleb Carter
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Kaleb Carter (he/him) is a rising senior at St. Mary's Academy. He is interested in programming and he is a coder on the robotics team at his school. He plays tennis and swims competitively. He is also passionate about history and learning about the past of his country and people.
Advisory Council Member
McKenzie Dedeaux
Advisory Council Member-
McKenzie Dedeaux (she/her) will be a freshman attending Hapeville Charter Career Academy. She is courageous and outgoing, always willing to speak up for herself and others. Although she can sometimes be outspoken, McKenzie expresses herself with honesty and confidence. She is also kind, caring, and supportive toward the people around her. With her strong personality and compassionate heart, McKenzie continues to grow into a positive and inspiring young leader.
lexi MarkhaM
Advisory Council Member-
Lexi Markham (she/they) is a spoken word activist who uses her work to promote education and equity. She has published numerous articles with Vox ATL, been featured in Atlanta Magazine and the Youth Poet Laureate Website, worked to create an Atlanta Word Works Anthology as well as a mental health workbook for teens and spoken at various fundraisers/ events (such as Silence the Shame University at Spelman, Trans Day of Visibility with the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and 100,000 Poets for Change at Agnes Scott). Lexi is currently using her position as the Atlanta Youth Poet Laureate to speak on stigmatized physical and mental health issues. In addition to writing, she loves to serve various nonprofits, currently working as the Youth President for Silence the Shame, an Advisory Board Member for YOUth Belong, and a proud NYAC fellow. In their free time you can find them writing poetry, practicing guitar, watching horror movies and laughing with friends.
Braylin Welander
Advisory Council Member-
Braylin Welander (he/him) is a rising freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, whose leadership is grounded in courage, confidence, and a deep commitment to fairness. He is known for speaking up when he sees injustice, advocating for others even when doing so is difficult. His confidence in being authentically himself is reflected in his successful effort to help gender-integrate his elementary school dance team and later as the only boy on his middle school cheer team, where he emerged as a respected leader among his peers. Elected to his school's Student Voices Council, Braylin represented his classmates while working to improve the school community. An eight-year dancer with Ballethnic Academy's Youth Ensemble, he has also been entrusted with leading rehearsals and helping shape student-led performances. Beyond the stage, Braylin serves as a youth counselor and acolyte at his church, where he is recognized for his ability to encourage, guide, and protect younger children with compassion and maturity.
Freedom Summer 4.0: Honoring History, Amplifying Youth Voices
Freedom Summer 4.0 brought together an intergenerational community of YOU(th) Belong Advisory Council members (high school students), Steering Committee members (college students), and supportive adult allies to explore the legacy of Freedom Summer 1964. Beginning at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, particularly its Freedom Summer, March on Washington, and Action Lab spaces, participants continued their journey with a two-day retreat in the North Georgia mountains. Together, they prepared and shared meals, watched documentaries like Brother Outsider, and created art. The experience culminated in student-produced public service announcements addressing social justice issues important to their generation. We now seek support to edit and complete these PSAs, ensuring their messages reach and inspire their peers.
YOU(th) Belong: Building Community Beyond Borders
With young people spread across Metro Atlanta, throughout Georgia, and beyond, social media offers an important bridge for connection, community, and belonging. We invite youth everywhere to engage with and share our YOU(th) Belong Instagram account, helping us expand our reach and build relationships beyond geographic boundaries. We're especially seeking young people interested in strengthening our social media presence and translating virtual engagement into meaningful, real-world connections when we have opportunities to gather. Interested in helping us build this community? Contact aj@rustininstitute.org.
YOU(TH) BELONG CALENDAR
The YOU(th) Belong Community Calendar is your go-to hub for exciting, affirming, and empowering LGBTQ+ events, programs, and opportunities happening across Metro Atlanta for youth and young adults. In partnership with community organizations, schools, colleges, arts groups, and advocacy organizations, we share everything from social gatherings and leadership programs to workshops, internships, performances, volunteer opportunities, and wellness events designed with and for young people. Click “Add to Google Calendar” at the bottom of the page to connect the calendar to your own and never miss what’s happening. If your organization has an event or program that could benefit LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, please email twest@rustininstitute.org with details for consideration.
Upcoming Events
Join queer and trans youth in Metro Atlanta at Charis Books & More for an evening of games and fun twice a month!
For trans and gender-expansive people, sports are increasingly becoming a place of exclusion instead of joy. This field day is about reclaiming the joy and camaraderie that sports should bring! It’s about creating a space where every kid gets to run, play, and belong without fear or barriers.
Fund Your Future
1st-12th grade: earn $250 to cover the cost of extracurriculars, uniforms, instruments, or activity fees.
College-bound seniors: earn up to $1,000 to help cover tuition, books, or other academic expenses.
Applications open now!
Dream Big Scholarships
1Trans Youth Emergency Project (TYEP), a program dedicated to breaking down barriers for trans youth and their families who are navigating gender affirming care in states with bans across the country, like Georgia.
Trans Youth Emergency Project
At Bold, find scholarships tailored to various demographics. Browse exclusive scholarships that are 100% free for students. These scholarships range from Women in STEM to kids who are homeschooled or who have ADHD. There's something here for everyone!
Find the right scholarships for you and apply today!
Bold.org Scholarships
Amplifying Youth Leadership
Amplifying Youth Leadership
YOU(th) Belong Wrapped- 2024
Friendsgiving - 2024
Freedom Summer 3.0 - Black Girl Democracy
Since 2024, our partnership with It's Majik Media has helped us document not only what our young people do, but who they are becoming. Through beautifully produced videos capturing everything from Institute events and leadership programming to Freedom Summer public service announcements, It’s Majik Media has made visible the growth, courage, creativity, and advocacy of youth across the Rustin Institute ecosystem. Their storytelling preserves these moments as both celebration and evidence of impact—allowing young people to see themselves as leaders and helping others understand the power of investing in the next generation. True to their own mission of working only on projects and with people that spark joy, It’s Majik Media has brought heart, artistry, and deep care to every story they help us tell.
Student Leadership.
Real Impact.
We are thrilled to celebrate Treasure Von Holland, whose leadership has been nurtured through the Rustin Institute’s ecosystem of youth programs—from the National Youth Advocacy Corps to service on the YOU(th) Belong Advisory Board. In 2025, Treasure was nationally recognized as one of GLAAD’s “20 Under 20,” a powerful testament to the brilliance, advocacy, and transformational impact of young people when they are supported, challenged, and empowered to lead. Click the links below to learn more about this extraordinary honor and Treasure’s inspiring journey.
