Tommi A. Vincent, an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and leader in the movement to end domestic violence, will be the featured speaker during "Living in Light: The Art of Healing," Niagara University's annual exhibition of artwork created by survivors of domestic violence. The event takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Castellani Art Museum on the university's campus.

Vincent, a survivor of domestic violence herself, is a respected voice and fierce advocate for survivors. She is passionate about developing curriculum and resources to help communities process and heal from intimate partner and intracommunal violence, and aims to help children, women, and families learn the warning signs to prevent it. She advises on public policy around domestic violence in her role as a member of the board of the National Domestic Violence Hotline Board of Directors, and has been recognized for her advocacy for shelter funding, crisis counseling, safety planning, and other supportive services.

Vincent is on the board of directors for Survivor Justice Action and Womanspace and has served as a keynote speaker for Essence Festival, iHeart Radio, Morgan Stanley, National Domestic Violence Hotline, the National Football League, Allstate, and more. Her work has been featured in leading print and broadcast media including the New York Times, WayMaker Journal, Hallmark Home & Family, Savoy Magazine, The Undefeated, NewsOne, CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, and WGN.

In 2023, Vincent and her husband, Troy, executive vice president of the NFL, established The Vincent Commission in partnership with Niagara University. The commission includes research and education efforts centered on the perceptions, experiences, knowledge, perpetration, and victimization of gender-based violence among college students.

Now in its eighth year, "Living in Light" showcases artwork reflecting the journeys, experiences, hopes, and dreams of the survivors of domestic violence who created them. Presented by the university's Office of Violence Prevention & Education and its community partners, the event is being held in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in connection with the Red Flag Campaign, a national public awareness initiative designed to encourage college students to intervene when they see a warning sign ("red flag") of partner violence.

"Intimate partner or dating violence is a pervasive problem among college students. As a result, we are taking a proactive approach to encourage others to become active bystanders and allies in this work to help decrease this epidemic on our campus and in the local community. This event allows us not only to raise awareness about dating violence, but also to provide an opportunity for our community to learn more about the services and resources available in our area," said Emily Pike, director of the Office of Violence Prevention and Education.

The event was first held in 2016 and organized by Dr. Dana Radatz, associate professor of criminology & criminal justice and director of the graduate program in criminal justice administration, and Dr. Jennifer Beebe, professor of the clinical mental health counseling program. Both professors are still actively involved in its organization.

"The Living in Light event provides a unique opportunity for campus and community members to learn more about domestic violence through the lens of survivors and victims within Niagara County," said Dr. Radatz. "Furthermore, attendance at the event allows campus and community members to show their support and bear witness to the messages shared by survivors through their artwork."

"One of the most important things we, as a community, can do is promote awareness and education surrounding domestic violence, as well as encourage victims to come forward and feel supported, to make sure they have a voice, and to show we care and know that help is available," added Beebe. "This is especially important to a university campus, as individuals aged 18-24 are most at risk for domestic and dating violence victimization. We believe that in order to reduce domestic violence, we need to increase awareness and education and provide a voice for the often oppressed and silenced."

Several community organizations are collaborating to host the event, including Pinnacle Community Services, the Castellani Art Museum, the Child Advocacy Center of Niagara, Niagara County Sheriff's Office Victim Assistance Unit & DV Intervention Program, the Seven Dancers Coalition, and the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.