Tears In The Dark II_LGBTQ+ Intimate Partner Violence Symposium

“Tears in the Dark II” is a one-day, community-centered hybrid symposium recognizing Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month.
About this Event

“Tears in the Dark II” is a one-day, community-centered hybrid symposium recognizing Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. We will create a safe, affirming, and culturally responsive space for education, healing, prevention, survivor support, abuser support, accountability, and collective action. A keynote speaker, moderated panel presentation, workshops, resource fair, and facilitated dialogue will help participants recognize abuse, support survivors, and connect with culturally competent services. This year’s symposium theme is “Hope_Care_Belonging, and Survival.”

Meet the symposium's keynote speaker:

Dr. Carla Smith is an executive leader and advocate with over 30 years of experience in social services. In 2024, she became the Chief Executive Officer of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) in New York City, making history as the first person of color to lead the organization.

Throughout her career, Dr. Smith has been deeply committed to addressing domestic violence (DV) and intimate partner violence, particularly within marginalized and LGBTQ+ populations. Before stepping into her role at The Center, she served as the Deputy CEO at the Urban Resource Institute (URI), which became the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the nation during her eight-year tenure. At URI, she managed day-to-day operations and expanded core support services, including economic empowerment programming and helped to introduce abusive partner intervention programming at the organization. Her background in survivor-focused advocacy also includes executive leadership and client-centered work with organizations such as the New York City Anti-Violence Project and My Sisters' Place.

Dr. Smith holds a Doctorate in Education focused on executive leadership, with doctoral research examining shelter access barriers for transgender-identified survivors of intimate partner violence. By centering intersectionality, trauma-informed care, and racial equity, Dr. Smith continues to champion accessible, inclusive health, safety, and empowerment resources for all individuals.