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GSC Director JT Turner Honored as a UIC Black History Maker 2021

Posted on February 23, 2021
JT Director square picture is centered. JT smiles in a beige suit with rainbow tiles in the background. Black History Maker 2021 is in yellow on top, outside of picture. Black background with thin inner green border and red outer border. Name is listed. Text below name and title reads: In recognition of outstanding contributions to the campus community. Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Blacks logo on the bottom. Date is February 22, 2021.

The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) is so proud to announce that JT Turner, GSC director, was honored on February 22nd as one of the Black History Makers of 2021 by the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Blacks (CCSB) at UIC. “JT is a History Maker because they have taken their time to really listen to our students and other members of the UIC community to understand what are the most important issues facing LGBTQ students on campus and ensure the Center responds with innovative and impactful programming that will help support our students and transform our campus,” said Associate Chancellor and Vice Provost for Diversity Amalia Pallares.

JT was recognized for the following contributions to the campus community:

  • JT has dedicated much of their academic and professional life to LGBTQ+ student services in higher education and the intersections of race and sexuality on college campuses.
  • JT recently served as co-chair, and former racial justice chair, for the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.
  • JT has presented and facilitated workshops on the topics of identity development, gender and sexual orientation, racial justice and intersectionality, and the intersections of faith, race, and sexuality at conferences, non-profits, colleges, and universities across the nation.

“I am humbled to be a recipient of the Black History Makers Award. As a new staff member, I am reminded of all the folks who came before me and made tremendous contributions so that I could be here,” said Turner. “Our center has a long legacy of supporting Queer and Trans people of color at the University. As the GSC's first Black Director, it is imperative to me to continue in this tradition by uplifting Black voices and advocating for the needs and desires of our community. I am grateful to the GSC team for their labor each day and love for our communities. Black History Month ends in a few days, but Black History and People matter every day.”

“This recognition is so well deserved for JT. They bring passion, fresh perspective, and a wealth of expertise to LGBTQIA+ work. I’m fortunate that I get to learn and work with JT and that UIC has them as an integral member of the campus community,” said GSC associate director Moises Villada. Antonio Santos, GSC program coordinator, added, “I am proud to work with someone who is truly exemplifying living Black history like JT, who is an approachable leader who uplifts the voices and experiences of intersectional identities. JT brings into any space they enter a lens of equity and radical Queerness that is transformative and revolutionary; they are a true pioneer at UIC .”

Help us in congratulating JT for this accomplishment!

About Black History Makers:
During Black History Month, the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Blacks (CCSB) recognizes UIC Black History Makers. The CCSB Black History Makers are UIC African American students, faculty and staff who are contributing to our African American campus community. Our goal is to identify individuals throughout our campus who because of their roles and responsibilities are making history.

Modified on February 23, 2021