This was NYU Shanghai’s 10th annual Ally Week, a joint collaboration between students in the LEAD program, volunteer ambassadors, and the Center for Student Belonging. The annual Ally Week allows community members an opportunity to explore a variety of issues, perspectives, and voices. This year’s events highlighted gender and sexuality, race and migration, first generation students, learning differences, death, humans’ relationship with the natural world, and self-care. "Ally Week is a powerful reminder for each of us that our role in fostering inclusivity and belonging," said Agnes Zhu, manager of the Center for Student Belonging and one of the main organizers of the week-long program. "It’s not just about awareness—it’s about action, understanding, and standing together to build a caring community where everyone feels valued and supported." Find out what being an ally means to Ally Week participants and organizers.
Doris Zhang ’25
Co-Facilitator, Diversity in Dialogue program
To be an ally means acknowledging my own limitations in knowledge and abilities while fully embracing the vast diversity and potential of others. It is my commitment to offer all the support I can, however small it may seem, with sincerity and a genuine desire to support those in need.
I am one of the facilitators for the Diversity in Dialogue program. In this initiative, we gather weekly with participants to engage in meaningful conversations about DEI-related topics and to learn and grow together.
Ari Harris ’27
Co-host/coordinator, Navigating Academia as a Queer Person
Coordinator, Ally Week Show
Coordinator, Gender and Relationships: Navigating Dynamics
For me, I think being an Ally is a commitment to further discovery and understanding of people of varying identities and experiences. Within the context of Ally Week and the events that I'm helping with, I think it has been best shown through the volunteers, namely the Assistant Directors and other individuals from student government, panelists, other school leadership, and fellow peers who are committed and passionate about making sure these events are ran successfully and can reach a broader audience. I think through this kind of allyship, we all grow in many ways: in confidence, leadership, and understanding.
Etienne Jaime
Panelist, Navigating Academia as a Queer Person
To be an ally is to humble oneself to learn from others. As a professor, a public health professional, and a foreigner I am always eager to learn from my students and diverse communities. Incorporating cultural humility, lifelong learning, and critical self-reflection everyday is challenging but rewarding. This is the reason I decided to join the LEAD program as a facilitator this semester, to learn and get to know our student population and their challenges.
Zhang Yuanxi ’28
Photographer/Designer, What are we talking about when we talk about death
To me, being an ally means consistently trying to cheer for every unique voice, as well as learning from them. Getting to know different perspectives of certain topics is both intriguing and challenging, but that's what Ally Week is all about.
Anita Luo ’27
Ally Week Ambassador Leader
I believe that being an ally means practicing honesty and humility. It is about being brave enough to say, “I don’t know,” and having the sincerity to support those around you. Being an ally is a practice rather than a label.
Marcos Martinez
Host, Writing Sex and the Body
For me, being an Ally means being my honest Self as a Queer Person-of-Color, and using that experience to foster inclusivity. Representation matters, whether I’m mentoring students, collaborating with other faculty and staff, or selecting course readings. It’s essential for all voices and perspectives to be heard in order to build bridges across communities.
Identity is a prism: the more we look, the more fascinating and colorful the world becomes. Writing about these private notions of our own identities can help us better express our Selves in daily conversations. Sharing and listening can help us better understand each other as people.
Ally-ship means building community through a greater sense of belonging for everyone. I hope that by sharing my identity—my Truth—I inspire others to reflect on their own identities and engage in the same openness.
Ding Yinghong ’25
Facilitator, You are Not Alone: Self-care and Mindful Listening
Organizer, It’s Not My Problem: Exploring and Understanding ADHD
To me, being an ally means truly seeing and hearing others beyond identity labels. During this year’s Ally Week, I facilitated a mindful listening workshop to create a judgment-free space for connection and reflection. Being an ally also means staying aware of different forms of injustice. I helped organize a panel on ADHD to bring attention to disability and neurodiversity. Everyone faces challenges at some point, and being an ally is about recognizing our shared humanity and fostering solidarity and care.
