WHO ARE WE?
JAYU is a Toronto-based charity dedicated to sharing human rights stories through the arts. The iAM Program program offers equity-deserving youth ages 12-29 free arts mentorship.
iAM programs are free and designed for young artists between the ages of 12 – 29 living in Ontario with no previous experience required. Equity-deserving is inclusive of Black and racialized folks, people with disabilities, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), 2-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (2SLGBTQ+), newcomers to Canada and people experiencing homelessness or precarious housing.
DURATION
Monday’s July 14, 21, 28, August 11, 18, 25
6:30 - 9 pm
LOCATION
JAYU Studio at 401 Richmond Street West
Studio 380, Toronto ON, M5V 3A8
PROGRAM DETAILS
This workshop explores the foundations of poetry and the role of Black poetic voices in shaping revolutions, movements, and causes both past and present.
While this program is focused on the impact of Black poetics, it is open to artists of all intersections and racial identities as a tool for education.
NEED TO KNOW
Food and TTC tickets will be provided
Please Note: Registration does not guarantee placement in this program. Confirmation emails will be sent prior to the program start.
If you have any inquiries please contact Des, iAM Program Manager at desiree@jayu.ca
MEET YOUR MENTOR:
Jadyn "machinegunfunkk" Hardie-Bardy, is a queer Kanein’kéha:ka and Jamaican poet, and prevention worker living in Tkaronto. Since opening professional doors Jadyn has journeyed many paths including self-publishing her first chapbook entitled, i am a wandering spirit. Jadyn was a featured artist of R.I.S.E. Edutainment's Legal Artivism Residency, VIBE art's Desire Lines with art showcased at Toronto's Bathurst Station, Global News’ Truth and Reconciliation social highlights, Give and Grow's Alley Oop Project and many more.
Jadyn uses her art to connect with youth and advocates through cultural arts and lived experience speaking. Her work explores cultural connections, destigmatizing monoliths, grief, healing and overcoming adversity faced while navigating colonial institutions.
Jadyn guest taught at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Social Work in 2022, 2023 and 2025 and continues to speak across Ontario to advocate amongst stakeholders and child welfare workers for a better future for youth in care. Spending much of her time teaching and performing in 2024, she was a poet featured at the National Arts Center: Hip Hop Theatre's BlackOUT Night, in a show entitled "The Old Black Maple," the moderator of ANCFSAO's annual Youth Panel, the facilitator for Catharsis Toronto's creative expression workshops, a guest feature at Toronto's Poetry Slam and much more. As Jadyn's work continues to expand, she hopes to use oral storytelling to share lived experiences, advocate for change, and create spaces to nurture intergenerational conversations and art.
@machinegunfunkk