V.I.L.L.A.G.E (Visionaries, Inspiring, Learning, Local, Action, Generational, Empowerment)

The V.I.L.L.A.G.E (Visionaries, Inspiring, Learning, Local, Action, Generational, Empowerment) campaign aims to bolster social engagement in the California Healthy Places Index communities of Imperial, El Centro, and Calexico. The artist believes that enhancing social interaction leads to a stronger sense of community and paves the way for greater social justice. This engagement, in turn, drives transformative change across the board. The foundation of social justice lies in the strength of social interactions. The crux of the campaign revolves around an innovative and immersive three-day social engagement event featuring a mural that serves as an interactive portal via QR codes that holds the keys to numerous community oral narratives and histories highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and lessons of yesteryears while emphasizing the shared experiences of today's communities. Accompanying curated and open-mic conversations and talks will delve deep into the importance of present-day community cohesion, drawing from historical and contemporary perspectives. The campaign aspires to be a movement, a catalyst that drives home the importance of community engagement.