Krystal Kavita Jagoo, MSW, RSW @ Intersectional Equity Insights

“Krystal Jagoo is creating positive change for marginalized communities quite literally every day. In making revolutionary texts available to her community through her Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx therapeutic writing group, Krystal affirms the lives and minds of those she shares space with. Krystal uplifts the work of her peers, creating spaces for artistic opportunity, calling attention to existing opportunities, sharing her resources and connections freely in the name of collective liberation.” - Hanna Mars (She/Her), 2021, 2022, and 2023 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant

“This workshop series has been a magnetizing and inspiring safe space for discussion, creativity, release and community. I have gratitude for our host and facilitator Krystal Jagoo for the support in our expression of thought, in our writing, with our access needs, and for the space given to be as we are. My confidence in my writing has grown and I look forward to what is next for myself, for this writing community and for Krystal as we continue and eventually move on. I would partake in this workshop again in a heartbeat!” - Karmel Ipanaque (They/Them), 2023 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant

“I’m so grateful to Krystal for the Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx workshop series through Scarborough Arts. I’d been looking at ways to deal with the current times and cope with being more involved in the DE&I work that I felt called to do. I'd leveraged many things for my wellness and self-expression up to this point, but I was looking for something where I could tap into my racialized identity through creativity and community. This was THE space for it. It was liberating to unfold deeper into myself week-to-week. I sadly joined halfway through, but I wish I was there from the start! I was inspired by all the participants, the readings, the facilitator, the prompts and in the process faced a lot of my own hang-ups with creating my own art. I hope to see more of this type of programming, it’s what the world needs more of, now more than ever. Thanks again for the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful initiative! I feel like a better queer POC artist/creator for it.” - Luke Lopez (He/They), 2020 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant, and showcase storyteller

“Thank you for providing this collection of wonderful sessions. Although I joined your workshop in the final weeks, it had a positive effect on the outcome -- it inspired me. Your instruction was invaluable, your facilitating abilities were wonderful and your approach to teaching is one that is relatable. You brought a variety of readings to the table that were diverse not only based on the ethnicity of authors but also based on the subject matter. I felt motivated to participate and reflect on the readings and while many titles and authors were new to me, I enjoyed viewing things from a different angle. The writing prompts were challenging, which is good because it stretched my ability and imagination and helped me to experiment with my writing style. I found the workshop inspiring and listening to fellow participants share their work each week and during the Final Showcase was an uplifting experience. Thank you for providing this platform for BIPOC readers to gather and discuss and debate and express. Toronto and much of the GTA would benefit from more sessions like this in order to identify issues surrounding race, politics and social injustices that are plaguing this and many other nations. Thank you, Krystal for opening the doors of communication and demonstrating that the arts is a powerful thing.” - Angela Walcott (She/Her), 2020 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant, and showcase storyteller

“I have attended several writing workshops over the years and Krystal's has been my absolute favourite. Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC, allowed me to learn, share, and heal. What made Krystal's work feel unique is that it was a workshop that shared knowledge from BIPOC writers and uplifted BIPOC participants. It provided me space where I could be more comfortable than I really feel most of the rest of my week. Additionally, it provided a place to connect and share in isolating and challenging times (amid pandemic and uprising), that are particularly challenging for BIPOC people. Krystal brilliantly curated pertinent, insightful readings. The opportunities to think about the subject matter in the pieces were invaluable as a writer and beyond. I still think of the content of those readings weeks later. The readings and conversations that were had during the sessions really allowed me to feel that there is a space where my writing and my experiences matter, which is so important--particularly as the world and the white-dominated Canadian writing industry tell me otherwise.” - Sabat Ismail (She/Her), 2020  Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant, and showcase storyteller

“What I loved most was Krystal's facilitation style. She considered the writing levels of attendees and made sure everyone in the session felt safe to share, while at the same time making it clear it was okay to just listen. I also enjoyed the readings she selected for discussion as well.” - Yolande Jackson (She/Her), 2020 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant

“I took part in Krystal’s workshop Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx. I highly appreciated Krystal’s thoughtful approach. She was very accommodating to various accessibility needs by providing slides also made available in a shared folder, prompts that activated the mind through words and pictures, and frequently inquiring if everyone’s needs are met. She was also considerate of the fact that people may not always be able to attend and created resources and workshop formats that made it possible to participate as available and still feel part of the community. The readings and writing prompts she offered were generative and indeed therapeutic and made me feel seen, heard, and able to express myself in new ways. I made some new discoveries on the medicinal power of certain writing techniques and tweaks in perspectives and felt my imagination stretch. She and the community she held space for gave me immense support to face the daily injuries I have as a person of color, care for wounds from the past, and prepare for difficulties to come. Her workshop is absolutely necessary for the health of people with marginalized identities and community building. I hope she can continue to share her gifts widely, making it possible for us to envision thriving lives and society.” - Hyo Rhi Kim, (She/They), 2020 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant

“I attended Krystal's Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop series for 4 weeks. It was a very rewarding experience. I liked the drop-in format which allowed me to attend sessions as my schedule allowed and meet new people. I appreciated the unique environment Krystal created, one which was anti-oppressive and BIPOC folks only. This enabled us to have authentic dialogue as BIPOC folks about the writings we shared. The space that Krystal curated enabled me to start writing again. Her low barrier to entry approach and broad definition of what writing is helped me regain confidence in my writing. This workshop series also made me feel part of a community during the uncertainty and isolation of the pandemic by connecting me to a local organization and my neighbours in Scarborough and folks from the US in a safe and thoughtful environment. I would love to attend another one of Krystal's workshops again.” - Souzan Mirza (She/Her), 2020 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant

“Krystal Jagoo is a very strong, empathetic and inspirational facilitator. Her sessions are well researched and insightful. She creates a safe space for all participants and encourages dialogue that is healthy and healing. Her session guidelines are some of the most well researched and forward thinking that I have ever seen. I found it helpful and innovative to look at an anti-oppressive stance and positionality. Many other sessions I've been to do not have facilitators that are trained in this, and they don't consider it. This was extremely important in allowing honest, constructive and eye-opening discussions. The content she presented was very relevant. I wish it had been content that I was exposed to in school because it would have shaped my experience in a much different way. The readings and quotes Krystal provided were profound and relatable. It was great to discuss insight from authors of colour. Krystal is also great at sharing stories to help illustrate a point and bring relevant lived experience to the table. Sessions on surviving white supremacy through writing are very much needed. There is an audience for it, and they may not realize that opportunities like this exist, so community outreach and marketing are beneficial. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Krystal. I hope to have the opportunity to work with her again in a future session.” - Erin Jones (She/Her), 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant and returning showcase storyteller

“I am writing to share my gratitude towards Krystal and the Scarborough Arts community for organizing, implementing, and facilitating the Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing group. From the moment I was made aware of the workshop, I could not contain my excitement. Krystal did not disappoint. Krystal ensured that we were all able to participate, being cognizant of our different needs and abilities. She encouraged us and gave us space when needed as she facilitated essential discussions on trauma, survival, and healing. As someone who experiences writer’s block while trying to navigate both professional and academic environments, I found that Krystal’s workshop has helped me identify and address some of the root causes. Attending weekly sessions, listening in and when able, contributing to discussions, and practicing the writing exercises has provided me with tools to better navigate my anxiety around writing and sharing. What made this experience the most memorable is the community that was created. A community consisting of diverse people, supportive and respectful of each other, with an amazing facilitator, Krystal, who led with empathy and provided us with the space to heal. Krystal has gone above and beyond. I remember reaching out to her through Facebook asking if she could review a blurb I was about to post that truly reflected who I am, something I have been hesitant of doing in the past. She made herself available, reviewed, and encouraged me to share. The validation and emotional support she provided helped me take that step, something that may not seem as much to others, but to me continues to mean the world. I strongly believe Krystal’s vision of creating and maintaining a safe space to support BIPoC folks to navigate and address the systemic barriers in a settler-colonial society through the art of writing has been successful in building community. I only hope that this space continues to exist and support others such as myself.” - Yaalini Arul (She/Her), 2020, 2021, and 2023 Sustainable Resistance for BIPOC Folx writing workshop participant