Kimm Topping, Ed.M. is an educator, writer, historian, and community organizer. They are the founder of Lavender Education, a national education program focused on celebrating LGBTQIA+ history, education, and youth leadership. From founding the first GSA in their hometown as a young person to now mentoring youth leaders and supporting educators, Kimm has always been passionate about building the confidence of others to lead social change.
For over ten years, Kimm has worked closely with schools and organizations on creating more inclusive, liberatory spaces for all LGBTQ+ youth to thrive. Kimm is an Adjunct Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education specializing in gender, sexuality, and equity. Prior to founding Lavender Education, Kimm managed the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students in Massachusetts. In 2023, they received the inaugural In-Service Award from the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition recognizing their decade of service to Boston’s trans community.
Kimm brings warmth and knowledge to their presentations, often customizing their content to the unique needs of each school community. For Minding Your Mind, they facilitate the program Supporting the Well-Being of LGBTQIA+ Youth for Educators and has also been invited by professional organizations, schools, and community groups to present on the topic of Elevating Youth Voice for Improved Mental Health, Inclusion, and Equity. Their programs for adults complement PEERspectives, a workshop for BIPOC/LGBTQIA+ youth.
Kimm’s book, Generation Queer, is the first-ever collection of illustrated young adult biographies about LGBTQIA+ youth activists in the United States. You can find Kimm on Instagram at @kimmwrites or at their website www.kimmtopping.com
Kimm presents primarily in the metro New York area and can travel nationally. In-person speaking engagements outside this region may require a fee for travel expenses.
