Changemakers

Jaycie Lewis (she/them) is an Antiguan artist born 27 years ago to a Kittitian mother and Antiguan father. At present, the manifestation of her artistry is as a visual storyteller, and building, directing, and performing in stories for stage, stills, and film. Her art is a vehicle for education on and preservation and celebration of Caribbean culture as well as one for pedagogy and social transformation.

Qańtar Samal (she/her) is a Kazakh digital artist from Aktobe. In her work, she shares her vision of Kazakh/Central Asian culture and its connection to the local queer community.

One member of our third Artist Changemaker cohort has opted to remain anonymous. In the spirit of practicing feminist ethics of care and safety and in line with the Guiding Principles developed by our Artist Changemaker Advisory Council we offer anonymity as an option for all Artist Changemakers. Artist Changemakers may opt into anonymity for a variety of reasons in line with the multiplicities of their creative practices.

Lehna Huie (she/her/hers) is a multi-disciplinary artist of Jamaican heritage born in New York City. Through her work, Lehna is committed to uplifting stories of Black identity as a means to explore international connections among the Pan African and Caribbean Diasporas.

Mona Benyamin (she/her/hers) is a Palestinian visual artist and filmmaker based in Haifa. In her works, she explores intergenerational outlooks on hope, trauma, and questions of identity.

Lujain Jo (she/her/hers) is an Iraqi filmmaker, activist, and performance artist currently living in Lebanon. As part of her strong interest in the manifestations of movement in life, her work includes collaborations with musicians and dancers such as Michaela DePrince and Khansa. She has also worked with multiple media platforms and organizations from Megaphone News and Anti-Racism-Movement to Khateera and Amnesty International on issues related to social movements, migrant workers, police brutality, and feminism.

Kearra Amaya Gopee (they/them/theirs) is an anti-disciplinary visual artist from Carapichaima, Kairi (the larger of the twin island nation known as Trinidad and Tobago), living and working on Tongva land (Los Angeles, CA)