The culmination of the program, this public exhibition features the Ancestor Spirit Portraits, student-written narratives, soundscapes, and documentation of the community engagement process. Through visual art and voice, the exhibition creates a living archive that honors those who helped shape our nation and reimagines public memory for a more inclusive future.
The event includes:
Presented by: I Was Here, in partnership with MAD Arts and Darius Daughtry
Free workshops for students ages 10-17. A four-part series of interactive workshops, “Invitation to Respond,” engaging Broward County youth in the exploration of:
Led by Darius Daughtry and the I Was Here Team, these workshops blend technology, performance, humanities, and public art into a deeply immersive experience.
To register now, send the name, age, and t-shirt size to amanda.deroxtra@yeswearemad.com
Workshop participants present their personal narratives and spoken word pieces to the community in a live performance evening at MAD Arts. This event offers a platform for youth to activate their voice and build confidence as storytellers and community leaders.
This series of workshops and the final youth showcase are made possible by generous support from the Broward County Cultural Division.
Inclusive History: Highlight stories of unacknowledged Nation Builders to build a fuller, more honest national narrative.
I Was Here is a national arts initiative that seeks to bring new understanding to nation-building by honoring African ancestors whose stories remain largely absent from America’s visual and historical record. Rooted in a series of Ancestor Spirit Portraits—photographs of contemporary African Americans as archetypal ancestors—the project reframes memory and identity through the power of public art and participatory storytelling.
In Broward County, the initiative expands through a dynamic collaboration with MAD Arts and acclaimed poet Darius Daughtry, creating opportunities for youth to explore history, personal identity, and community leadership through a series of workshops and a culminating public exhibition.
