Jaconda : Portraits of Filipinx Belonging. Led by MJ Desharnais

This workshop invites participants to reflect on how Filipino/a/x identity can be carried, revealed, or echoed through the everyday objects we keep close. Whether inherited, purchased, improvised, or carried through migration, these small items often hold stories of care, culture, survival, and connection that are not always spoken aloud.

This workshop series is part of Kalayaan School, a series designed to support youth in connecting their personal stories to broader social and political issues, fostering awareness and community engagement. Through storytelling, creative expression, and dialogue, participants will explore how their experiences relate to histories of migration, identity, and belonging.

Facilitated by Filipino/a/x leaders, artists, and scholars with deep expertise and lived experience, each session will encourage mentorship, reflection, and cultural pride.

Over five workshops, participants will engage with themes such as identity, intergenerational memory, social justice, and community organizing. Activities may include art-making, storytelling, and group projects that inspire creativity and connection.

The program aims to strengthen youth voice, cultural understanding, and collective empowerment toward more equitable and inclusive futures.