Community Impact
A look at our journey throughout the years
Read our 2024 End of Year Report
-
Our first event
2017
Our first open-mic event centered around social justice and healing, with under 30 guests at Studio.89 cafe, when our Founders were only in grade 11.
-
Speak Your Truth - Signature: the beginning
2019
Growing from 30 to 120 guests and introducing a gallery to support youth entrepreneurs. Supported by our first community sponsors.
-
ACCESS Pitch Funding
2019
Our founders won funding, connected with community mentors and youth organizations to further their mission.
-
City Council Delegation
2019
Our first delegation brought our organization to the forefront to community, where we connected with City Councilors and support staff who believe in our mission.
-
On Radio
2019
Listen to our latest discussion on New Theory Radio, where we speak about current initiatives during COVID, our definition of "Woke" and the power of youth collaborations.
-
Community Events
2019
A recipient of the EmpowHER International Women’s Day award.
-
Team Equity Training
2019
Establishing foundational knowledge of important concepts, and engage in discussion about equity.
-
National Youth Week
2019
Invited to present at the City of Brampton WTF Youth Week event, where we connected with youth and fellow youth groups.
-
Our first pop-up
2020
In response to severe social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and in alignment with pandemic guidelines, we hosted a limited pop-up open-mic selling out within 1 hour, encouraging us to focus on community building. Sponsored by Lazeez.
-
SEVA Speaks Workshop
2020
Featuring our interactive workshop, “The Death of Creativity” in collaboration with SEVA Speaks McMaster, to explore personal identity and creativity.
-
NOW Creates Workshop
2020
Creative arts workshop led by Cool Objects with the support of our past funders, NowCreates, to fundraise for our organization
-
Period PopUps Fundraiser
2020
Raised $700 among the Stay Woke community to support accessible access to period products for individuals in the Hamilton region.
-
Team GRAD!
2021
Due to the pandemic implications for the Class of 2020 and 2021, we decided to boost team morale by hosting a graduation ceremony for our high school seniors within the community!
-
Pop-Up: July
2021
Our limited pop-up was successful in building genuine connections among performers and guests through intimate performances and discussion circles to facilitate community. Sponsored by Lazeez and local organizations who donated to our gift bags.
-
Pop-up: August
2021
Our second limited pop-up this summer, which united performers, gallery artists, guests and sponsors for intimate discussions and engaging performances. Sponsored by Lazeez and local organizations who donated to our gift bags.
-
Team PROM!
2022
Boosting team morale by hosting a Prom team social for our community!
-
Speak Your Truth: Celebrating 5 Years
2022
Bringing back our signature open-mic and gallery event by celebrating our 5 year anniversary, featuring 20 youth performers, 5 gallery businesses and over 100 guests.
-
Registered non-profit status
2022
A huge milestone after overcoming our lack of resources and access to legal and financial support.
-
Youth creator social
2022
Our first intimate event to connect youth creators through interactive activities, meaningful discussions and reflective performances.
-
Our first time at McMaster
2022
The beginning of our McMaster partnership to support the growing student arts community. Collaborate with us.
-
Our first time with MuslimFest
2023
Our first year working with one of the largest arts and cultural festivals in the GTA. A huge milestone in connecting with community stakeholders!
-
Speak Your Truth 2023
2023
Our signature open-mic and gallery event. We expanded and improved our gallery to feature 10 interactive youth-owned booths.
-
Framed: launch party
2023
Hosting our first in-person launch event to celebrate the publishing of our 3rd Framed Magazine edition, featuring 30+ youth contributors.
-
Our first time at Western
2023
A collab with 3 student clubs to host our first open-mic event with Western University! Collaborate with us.
-
"Spill the Chai" with Chaiiwala Dixie
2023
The beginning of our partnership with Chaiiwala of London’s Dixie location to bring seasonal open-mic and creator socials. Learn more.
-
Our first time at Waterloo-Laurier
The beginning of a partnership with student campus organizations to bring the Speak Your Truth open-mic and social series to Waterloo-Laurier University. Collaborate with us.
-
The Life of Hearts: Imagine
2024
A milestone collaboration with the local singer and songwriter Raz Hyder, to present his National album-debut tour “The Life of Hearts”.
-
Mississauga Arts Council microgrant recipient
2024
Awarded funding by the MAC to overcome financial barriers in organizing our signature event.
-
Our first community social
2024
Inviting our past team members, performers, sponsors and community collaborators to celebrate our growth and make connections.
-
Signature Event 2024
A record-breaking 160 tickets sold, doubling our sponsorship support and uniting community across the GTA. *Funded by the MAC microgrant. Learn more.
-
The Life of Hearts: The Bonfire Show
2024
An intimate showcase in The Life of Hearts tour with a cozy bonfire.
-
The Life of Hearts: The Final Act.
2024
The final show of the tour, and a farewell featuring 9 local artists including musicians, poets and actors.