Jim Toy: Celebration of liberation

On May 20, we hosted the Jim Toy Celebration of Liberation, at the Michigan Theater.

This event was an opportunity for community and friends to come together to honor Jim Toy, who passed away on New Year’s Day.

Jim was co-founder of the Spectrum Center, and his legacy has been felt deeply across campus.

As a queer Asian American activist, Jim inspired those who knew him and knew of him. He sparked a rebel flame, urging us to continue to question authority, make space for those most vulnerable, and speak out against injustice whenever and wherever we encounter it. Jim graduated from the School of Social Work in 1981 with a Master of Social Work degree, and the University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at its 2021 Spring Commencement.