YOU(th) Belong
YOU(th) Belong is a dynamic, youth-centered leadership and intergenerational community program for young people ages 13–25 across Metro Atlanta. 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.
Who We Are
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 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@civilandhumanrights.org with details for consideration.
Upcoming Events
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
Our meetings and programs are grounded in the leadership of young people and supported by a caring team of mental health practitioners, educators, creatives, and youth advocates who help nurture, guide, and strengthen their growth as leaders.
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.
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
-
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
Ricard Mabry
Advisory Board Alum & Steering Committee Member-
Richard Mabry (he/him) is a senior at Spalding High School in Griffin, GA where his favorite subjects are British Literature and American Government. He is 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. After graduation he hopes to attend college where he hopes to combine his interests in art with his aspirations to become a therapist, with a possible specialization in art therapy. Richard was just accepted to Dillard University in New Orleans, LA where he will join the Class of 2030.
Freddie Rogers
Steering Committee Member & Summer Intern-
Freddi Rogers (they/them) is a first-year student 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, Freedi was part of the youth leadership team at the Oak Grove UMC Youth Group and on the committee for queer inclusion. Finally, Freddi is a first-year representative on the Exec Board of ASCEND!— an organization that works to creative events that are inclusive of queer people.
Treasure Von Holland
Advisory Board Alum & Steering Committee Member-
Treasure Von-Holland (any pronouns) is a student and gender equality activist. A Georgia State University freshman Von-Holland’s advocacy, which is focused on transgender equality, racial equity, and childhood education, is a masterclass in intersectionality. They are also a member of the LGBTQ+ Institute’s You(th) Belong cohort, in which, through monthly events for young people ages 13–25 in Metro-Atlanta, Von-Holland and her peers explore youth leadership, advocacy, and creative expression. Treasure was selected in 2025 for GLAAD’s 20 under 20 and featured in Teen Vogue!
YOU(th) Belong Advisory Board Members
Kyla Hardiman
Advisory Council Member-
Kyla Hardiman (he/she) is a first-year at Spalding High School in Griffin, GA where her favorite subjects are English, Biology, and Social Studies. Kyla is very concerned about LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in the South where people are voting against their freedoms. Kyla was introduced to YOU(th) Belong at Vox-a-palooza in May 2024 and looks forward to being the youngest leader on the Advisory Council. A writer, In high school she hopes to start a book club and also plans on joining the track team. Kyla is the proud parent of a Tabby named Dorito and another cat named Brutus.
RICHelle Hardiman
Advisory Council Member-
Richelle Hardiman (she/her) is a sophomore at Spaulding High School in Griffin, GA who helped design the You(th) Belong soap box at Compassion-Con 2024, where she volunteered at the YOU(th) Belong table! With a knack for mathematics, Richelle is an aspiring Veterinarian and Mechanic. Her full-time ambitions revolve around family time, reading, and nurturing bonds and sharing experiences with many youth in her community. When she’s not on the field playing flag football she immerses herself in captivating poems such as the “Tale- Tale Heart” and other literature.
Jaliyah Johnson
Advisory Council Member-
Jaliyah Johnson (she/her), who also goes by Jay or JJ is a 10th grader at Spalding High School in Griffin, GA. She likes the color blue, enjoys cooking and also doing hair. She hopes to be able to do a dual enrollment program in high school that will allow her to get a cosmetology license before graduating. Jaliyah is step captain for the Jaguars step team, where she takes great pride in supporting choreography and organizing the team. She hopes to bring these same leadership qualities to YOU(th) Belong and was impressed with the program when she was introduced to NBA player and philanthropist Reggie Bullock at YOU(th) Belong in Sports in February 2024. In July 2024 she completed Freedom Summer 3.0, focusing on medical mistrust among Black patients.
lexi MarkhaM
Advisory Council Member-
Lexi Markham (they/them) is a Junior at Paideia School in Atlanta, Georgia. In their free time, they love to write poetry, read, and be outside. In 2024 they joined VOX ATL Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador Program. Lexi helped cofound a Trans Club at their high school, as well as an Environmental Club in their elementary school. They first engaged YOU(th) Belong in March 2023 when they shared poetry at YOU(th) Belong … On The Stage at OUT Front Theater and has volunteered at Compassion-Con and other LGBTQ+ Institute events. They hope to inspire others to fight for LGBTQ+ rights, embrace love, and exist authentically.