Meet Domenico Ruggerio | Social Justice Educator & Transformative Nonprofit Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Domenico Ruggerio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Domenico, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I always return to the combined quotes from our elders, Alice Walker and Ram Dass: “We are the ones we have been waiting for, and we are all just walking each other home.” I find this incredibly empowering in my personal worldview and professional world because it enforces the ideals that we have the assets and resources in our communities to radically care for each other, and to transform institutions towards more just and equitable ways. It also highlights how stories are powerful—allowing us to feel tender, learn, reflect, connect… and build stronger containers.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Currently, I serve as the executive director of We Are Family, the oldest nonprofit in South Carolina that provides life-saving and life-affirming programs for LGBTQ+ young people. I earned a master’s degree in humanistic/multicultural education at SUNY New Paltz, and a B.A. in sociology and anthropology at Colgate University. Prior to joining We Are Family, I served as the director of education, advocacy, and systems transformation at Teach For America South Carolina. Previously, I spent over a decade in higher education in roles that supported and empowered students of color and LGBTQ+ students and communities at the College of Charleston, Vassar College, Bard College, and Oberlin Collge.

My personal journey has shaped my professional journey in critical ways. When I was in college, my story was about learning how to negotiate monolithic notions of community that failed to affirm my whole self. As a first-generation, multiracial, queer student from an immigrant background, I often felt like an outsider. This was ultimately empowering, though, because I became more comfortable thinking about and building community for myself in more complex ways.

First, I found belonging both within and in between identity categories—for example, I learned how to negotiate communities of color as a queer person, and queer communities as a person of color. Second, I began building community based on shared intellectual and social commitments rather than only on identities. I dove into all the leadership opportunities I could, from the Student of Color Cultural Center to the LGBTQ Center to the Women + Gender Studies Center. In doing so, I often served as a bridge between programs so that we could do more intersectional work. I also saw myself as a change agent—doing what I could do to imagine better collaborations between those separate parts of the institution I was in.

My work as a change agent continued after graduation. Before joining We Are Family in 2021, I served as the director of education, advocacy, and systems transformation at Teach For America South Carolina, working to move the needle of educational equity in the state. Moving from such a stark behemoth TFA model to WAF’s more modest grassroots origin, I wanted to continue to follow through on the most immediate needs of SC youth while prioritizing the long-term organizational planning, capacity building, and scaling needed to better serve queer and trans BIPOC youth in our state.

Thus, my personal story led me to care deeply about, and be committed to, a vision of leadership and community that emphasizes:

– Intersectional approaches
– Inclusive communities
– The building and bridging of communities
– The empowerment of young people

Now the core of what I do is cultivate youth change agents—lifting voices and shifting culture for a more just and equitable society. Through my work at We Are Family and beyond, I seek to create a world where queer, BIPOC, and ally youth are empowered to find a sense of belonging, lead from a place of authenticity, and be affirmed for ALL parts of their authentic selves.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Charleston is a fantastic city– with great offerings year-round!!

– Favorite Neighborhood (for bites, drinks, and a good ‘ol time): Park Circle

– Favorite Beach (we have many in the area): Isle of Palms

– Must Visit: South Carolina Aquarium

– Best Park/Green Space: Hampton Park

– Favorite Festivals: Spoleto, and Charleston Wine + Food

– Best BBQ Joint: Rodney Scott’s BBQ

– Favorite Brewery (we also have many): Commonhouse Aleworks

– Hidden Treasure: Tubing down the beautiful Edisto River

– Best Thrift Store (for all of your thrifting needs): Closet Case Thrift Store

– Favorite Coffee Spot: The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This shoutout is dedicated to the memory of my long-term mentor, Eric Estes, who played a significant and meaningful role in my life and career. He was a foundational influence to my approach to leadership and navigating institutions in support of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students and communities. Eric was my supervisor at Oberlin College in Ohio (my first grown up job), and he was on my reference list for every single job opportunity since then. Most recently, Eric was the Vice President for Campus Life at Brown University– and throughout the years, his watchful eyes always believed in all that I got myself into. He leaves a legacy of impact so deeply and wide.

Website: https://wearefamilycharleston.org

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/domenicoruggerio

Other: Transformative Teaching Collective website:
https://www.transformativeteaching.coop

Image Credits
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