we spoke with Rhay Lloyd (they/them), a DUE ’25 student. Rhay recieved their Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies, concentrating in Poverty Studies and Africana Studies, at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Their academic focus centers on Black families as a prefigurative model for community building, focusing their research on the ideas of Black urbanism, Black familial patterns, and Afrofuturism. Rhay enjoys blending art, storytelling, and academia to explore these ideas, and incorporating different forms of visual media to accompany their work. Passionate about zines and teaching, they are often found in BIPOC + queer third spaces, fostering connection and creativity in their community. 
In the midst of a busy thesis season, Rhay has been doing incredible work. We wanted to take a moment to share what they have been up to, and get insights into their experiences during the program! Our conversation touched on their current projects, their thoughts on the city, and some of the lessons they’ve picked up along the way.

Tell us about a project you’re currently working on.

A project I’m currently working on is my zines! I recently submitted to an open call for the Black Zine Fair. (edit this out if I don’t get in) Right now I have 3 complete zines: Venusian Bodies– a zine about racial aesthetics that centers a comparative study between Hottentot Venus and Megan Thee Stallion, Kinship + Community– based on my thesis, describes how resiliency in Black communities is rooted in African kinship ties, and finally Box– my queer version of Letterboxd.
What’s your favorite space in NYC, and why?
Riis Beach, a queer beach at The Rockaways. This was my favorite place to visit during the summer. It’s the best way to“leave the city behind without actually leaving. Some of my best memories with friends here in NYC.
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?
The importance of finding community. What I appreciate most about the city is the abundance of social scenes and events, specifically for BIPOC queer individuals. Being able to attend weekly gatherings and workshops in these spaces has helped me find friendship throughout the city. I’ve learned to make soaps and salves, attended pilates, attended group cooking classes, salsa lessons, and much more. And these spaces being exclusively for queer folks has helped me come into my own identity more and more.