Artist and curator Richard Kofi creates interdisciplinary art projects with a futuristic approach in relation to spirituality, heritage and history. Collaboration and co-creation are an important part of his practice.

Priya is curator of Globalization at the Tropenmuseum and was closely involved as a guest in Issue 1 curated by Richard Kofi.

Stichting Museumnacht Amsterdam was founded to connect young people from Amsterdam to the museums in their city. SHEBANG was part of their program with Issue 1 curated by Richard Kofi.

The Tropenmuseum is a museum about world cultures, located in a national monument located on the Oosterpark, in the heart of Amsterdam East, and dates from 1926. SHEBANG was a guest in the Tropenmuseum during Museum Night Amsterdam. Richard Kofi hosted multidisciplinary event The Black (W)hole there, part of Issue 1.

Adama Delphine Fawundu is a photographer, performer and visual artist who highlights knowledge of older generations from the African diaspora. She zooms in on identity, connection and community. And reminds us that African rituals, customs and knowledge of care, healing and intimacy play a major role in hip-hop culture in the diaspora.

Lisette is an anthropologist, curator and advisor in shared heritage, art and the colonial present. Lisette is part of our creative and cultural network in Amsterdam South East and was a guest at the 'Gentrification Talk' of Issue I curated by Richard Kofi.

Rohan Ayinde is an interdisciplinary artist and poet, and interweaves a multitude of disciplines in his work. He uses physical phenomena such as black holes as a metaphor for radical interventions that he considers necessary to protect Black Lives in the diaspora.

Malique is a researcher, designer and hip-hop futurist. The Niteshop is a research center for the Street/the Neighbourhood/the Culture, where people think about the city of the future. Malique participated in the online research conversation 'Researching the Sauce' with the curator and artists of Issue 1.

Bagua Jody is a visual artist and creative director and designer of jewelry label Arte.Gia. Jody was a guest at the 'Gentrification Talk' of Issue I curated by Richard Kofi.

Mina is a dancer, dance teacher and artist. She has performed a number of times as a dancer during Issue 1 curated by Richard Kofi.

Marion is Youth Programmer Bijlmer Parktheater, Head of Education & Talent Development. She is also a gifted photographer and is involved in theater photography, street photography and portrait photography. Marion captured part of Issue 1.

Les is a self-taught photographer from Amsterdam South East. Not only is he a popular player in the creative and cultural sector of South East, he also guides children and young people as a coach, using photography to stimulate them and develop themselves.

The duo Poetronic is formed by Smita James and Ci Seryne. Spoken word artist Smita recites her poems to the electronic music of producer Ci Seryne. Poetronic is known for their striking videos. Poetronic performed during SHEBANG's program on Museumnacht Amsterdam in the Tropenmuseum, part of Issue 1 curated by Richard Kofi.

Jamahl is a furniture maker/designer, born and raised in South-East Amsterdam, and the founder of ZAGWE Interior Designs, with which he initiates independent projects and works for the cultural sector. Jamahl built the exhibit design for Issue 1 at our first location in Prospect Eleven.

As a maker, Poernima Gobardhan is interested in creating a world in which the body is not only used to project or depict meaning, but where the body itself contains this meaning. Her work is about the experience - she strives for a deep emotional state that goes beyond thinking.

Djuwa Mroivili is a Comorian-Dutch pianist and activist. In her musical practice she questions the classical music tradition. For several years now, she has been researching forgotten black composers and regularly performs their work. Djuwa repeatedly collaborated with artist Poernima Gobardhan, during and around Issue I curated by Richard Kofi.

With Moving through Radical Space, an installation and soundscape about the role of snorders in Amsterdam South East, Smita James tells a story about everyday Blackness in the Bijlmer. About the rhythm, flow and pace of the district and how gentrification disrupts it. Smita works as a poetic designer under the name SJPoet.

Jeffrey Ahenkan is an artist, DJ and MC. He was the regular DJ at our first location in Prospect Eleven and provided the music several times during our events and meetings.

Mekyle is a creative entrepreneur who grew up in Amsterdam South East. He serves culture through food and art. Mekyle provided the vegan snacks during one of our events at Prospect Eleven.

Desta Deekman is a innovative choreographer and energetic dancer specialised in a wide range of African dance styles. However, Deekman is also developing as a ritualist and is gathering more and more knowledge and skills regarding the spiritual use of herbs and plants. In her work she connects spirituality, dance and nature.

Levison Gijsbertha is a brand strategist and visual designer. He specialises in translating visions into reality; with a focus on branding and identity. He is also the initiator of Sociëteit H, a community center for adults in the H buurt. Levison designed the SHEBANG logo.

Peter Dautzenberg is an architect, interior designer, urban planning teacher and Bijlmer resident. Peter was a participant in the 'Gentrification Talk' of Issue I curated by Richard Kofi.

Wouter Pocorni is an architect, urbanist and researcher. Wouter was a participant in the 'Gentrification Talk' of Issue I curated by Richard Kofi.

Ben Minnema programs and produces events for cultural institutions and festivals. As a passionate project leader, he gets complex projects off the ground and builds lasting connections between art & culture, young people and the world.

The Heesterveld Creative Community Foundation was established to stimulate and facilitate creativity, collaboration and cultural entrepreneurship in the Heesterveld area. Consisting of a group of creative residents from various disciplines, the breeding ground focuses on contributing to the living environment in the neighbourhood and the city.

Angelique is community manager at OBA Next Zuidoost and was a guest at the 'Gentrification Talk' of Issue I curated by Richard Kofi.

Angelo Bromet is co-founder of Prospect Eleven and Programmers & Talent developer at the Melkweg Amsterdam. Angelo is a driving force for creative and cultural entrepreneurship in Amsterdam South East and beyond.

Prospect Eleven was our first location. It offered young entrepreneurs and creatives a structural place where they can work on themselves and allowed starting entrepreneurs to grow by giving them more visibility. The temporary building near Bullewijk metro station was designed to encourage meetings, to work together and to inspire each other. In addition to daily users, it was also an attractive place for stakeholders, such as professionals from the cultural sector, civil servants working with diversity/inclusion issues and project/area developers.

Najah Aouaki is an economist and city strategist for creative and inclusive cities. She develops strategies, concepts and innovative projects aimed at challenging the current economic paradigm and the way we imagine our future - from initiating cultural projects, organizing community initiatives to developing strategic policies.

genuinefake is a multidisciplinary platform, founded in 2009 by Rachel Stella Jenkins, where collaborations in design, architecture and urban planning aim to broaden normative definitions and concepts and mediate between social, cultural and spatial agency. genuinefake was responsible for the spatial design of, and involved as maker and graphic designer in, the exhibition Speculate or Die Tryin' curated by Najah Aouaki (Issue 2).

Jessica Dikmoet is a Southeast resident who, as a journalist and producer, develops social concepts and coaches young journalists and documentary makers. At the invitation of and in collaboration with Najah Aouaki, Jessica conducted a series of interviews with various people from Southeast, which serve as inspiration and input for their joint exhibition.

Laurence Scherz is a writer, spoken word artist, tattoo artist, meme admin and researcher. Their research includes semiotics within visual and/or viral culture, the neurological impact of the digital, theory-fiction and the (poetic) power of memes. Laurence appeared as a performer in Countersex Education by Maxime Dreesen (Issue 3).

In Pursuit of Otherwise Possibilities, Queer Performance Pedagogy and Feedback (IPOP) is an educational, artistic research platform that explores how educational institutions can improve supporting and motivating queer artists and practices. IPOP was part of the workshop on the importance of a Trans view on performance practice(s) within theater education and the theater field (Issue 3).

Szymon is a dramaturge, theater and performance maker with a great interest in HIV-related culture. He conducts research at Das Theater and gave a workshop as part of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers. Szymon founded IPOP together with Elioa.

Elioa is a speculative artist working in the fields of theatre, dance and curation. Her work focuses on the intersection of systemic violence, cultural norms, and communal narratives. Elioa conducts research at Das Theater and gave a workshop in the context of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wesselaers. Elioa is the founder of IPOP together with Szymon.

Lux is a dancer, choreographer and movement researcher. As a gender non-conforming person, Lux pushes boundaries, creates space and challenges the audience, so that the discourse about invisibility, privilege and validity can be activated. Lux appeared as a performer in Maxime's performance Countersex Education and gave a workshop as part of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Bebe is a trans non-binary actor, artist, creator, performer, organizer, serotonin source, socially hopping and professionally fat. They have fallen so many times in their lives that the ground is familiar territory for them, but refuses to accept that it takes pain to be queer. Bebe appeared as a performer in Maxime's performance Countersex Education, part of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Maxime is a theater maker and director who lives and works in Antwerp. In De Studio he made Countersex Education, an alternative sex education performance under the alter-ego Tabooboo. Maxime offers playful, imaginative alternatives to existing and dominant structures. Maxime's performance Countersex Education was part of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Raoni is a choreographer and performer based in Amsterdam. His recent works are materialisations of the seduction of the 'backspace' that shape both his conceptual concoctions around strange relationalities and his movement practice of 'becoming other'. Raoni gave a workshop as part of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Sem is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and teacher. In January 2023, his first album Uncle Sem was released together with the tour Who the fck is Britt?!*. This tour and album centred around the process of transitioning from a female to male singer. Sem has performed several times as part of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Alexander is a journalist, essayist and wilderness guide. Alexander was involved in Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Valentijn is a writer and poet. He made his debut in 2021 with the novel Het aanbidden van Louis Claus, and his personal essay Antiboy was published last year. Valentijn gave a presentation during the workshop for Trans writers (Issue 3).

Gwen is a journalist, producer and photographer living and working in Amsterdam South East. Gwen recently released her debut novel Zuigertje and the film Amstergwen - which received several nominations and awards. Gwen is a photographer for SHEBANG and gave a workshop, part of Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Alex Bakker published the book Transgender in the Netherlands in 2018, which describes the history of transgender people in the Netherlands for the first time. He researched medical treatments, social discussions and changing public opinion. Alex was involved in Issue 3 curated by Carly Everaert and Selm Wenselaers.

Daniël Olivier studies creative writing at Artez University of the Arts. He is involved in creating prose, songs and comics. He writes historical fiction in which he fantasises about extinct plants and animals, and forgotten genders from classical antiquity. He loves to read and be read to.

Selm Merel Wenselaers studied History at the University of Antwerp and the Freie Universität Berlin. In addition to her work as a historian, Selm developed a theater practice as a dramaturge and cultural producer, including at the Frascati theater, and she was associated with Museum Arnhem as a city curator. She operates freelance as a dramaturge, curator, discussion leader, writer and researcher. Her book Tussenmens will be published in 2024.

Carly Everaert is a costume designer and received the Proscenium Prize in 2022 for their entire oeuvre. As a teacher-researcher at the Academy for Theater and Dance in Amsterdam, they conduct research into questions surrounding costume, space and embodiment from an intersectional, practice-oriented perspective. Carly received a research grant that allows existing collaborations to be further developed, such as those with Mira Thompson and Selm Wenselaers.

Sandra is an event producer and project manager of business and cultural events and a member of the DARKMATTER collective. Sandra led the production around the exhibition Speculate or Die Tryin' by Najah Aouaki (Issue 2).

Tudor is a graphic designer, builder and textile designer from Amsterdam Zuidoost. He was involved as a builder in the exhibition Speculate or Die Tryin' by Najah Aouaki (Issue 2).

Sjoerd is an architect, artist and workshop mentor. He was involved in the construction of the exhibition and as builder of the Gliphoeve installation in Speculate or Die Tryin' by Najah Aouaki (Issue 2).

Touria Meliani is a Dutch governor and politician of GroenLinks. She is an alderman of Gemeente Amsterdam and manages the portfolios of Art and Culture, Events and Inclusion and anti-discrimination policy. Touria was a participant in a meeting with Roy Groenberg (Stichting Eer en Herstel) about the importance of a future 'Winti Temple' in Amsterdam.

Roy Groenberg is the chairman of Stichting Eer en Herstel. Stichting Eer en Herstel calls itself 'The heart of the Indigenous and Afro Surinamese community in the Netherlands' and is committed, among other things, to the realisation of a Cultural Historical Center: 'De Wintitempel'.

Massih Hutak is a rapper and writer from Amsterdam-Noord. In addition to making music and writing, he is also committed to young people: he is responsible for activist initiatives such as the Tilt the Power voting campaign, with which he encourages young people to vote, and Verdedig Noord, the project that fights the blind gentrification of Amsterdam. North. Massih took part in a conversation with Het Nieuwe Instituut, de Wijkcoöperatie, de Raad van Zuid and Ahmed Abdilahi, part of Issue 2 curated by Najah Aouaki.

Ahmed Abdillahi is a postal worker. He has lived in Rotterdam since 1998. He is a committed citizen with a big heart for South Rotterdam. Ahmed took part in a conversation with Het Nieuwe Instituut, de Wijkcoöperatie, de Raad van Zuid, Verdedig Noord and Massih Hutak, part of Issue 2 curated by Najah Aouaki.

Marjolein Moorman is a Dutch communications scientist, director and PvdA politician. She is an alderman of the Municipality of Amsterdam and manages the portfolios of Education, Youth (care), Poverty and Debt Assistance, Masterplan Zuidoost and Coordination of Social Services. Marjolein was a participant in a conversation with residents from Amsterdam South East, part of Issue 2 curated by Najah Aouaki.

Sarita Bajnath is a trainer, speaker and motivator in the field of inclusion, diversity and dialogue. In addition to her lectures, she also uses privilege training that is intersectional with an emphasis on white privilege. With the Coalitie Zuidoost, Sarita organised a meeting of Zwart Beraad in Perspectief, part of Issue 2 curated by Najah Aouaki.

As chairman of the Amsterdam Marshals club, Etienne Sandel is committed to young baseball players in Amsterdam South East. In 2015 he was named volunteer of the year for his efforts in the neighbourhood. Etienne was one of Jessica Dikmoet's interviewees, for Speculate or Die Tryin' curated by Najah Aouaki.

Gilma Laurence moved with her two children to Venserpolder, a neighbourhood in South-East Amsterdam with a lot of crime. In the hope of keeping children there on the right path, she founded the Boeninhuis community center. Gilma was one of Jessica Dikmoet's interviewees, for Speculate or Die Tryin' curated by Najah Aouaki.

Mavis Hofwijk started Surinamese Buffet in 1985 in Amsterdam South East from her love for Surinamese cuisine. With over 30 years of experience, she can call her family business a specialist in the preparation of authentic Surinamese dishes that reflect the culinary traditions and cultural diversity of Suriname. Mavis was one of Jessica Dikmoet's interviewees, for Speculate or Die Tryin' curated by Najah Aouaki.

All-round creative entrepreneur from Amsterdam South East, with a focus on mediating between the creative and commercial industries, concept development, curation, consultancy, event, project and stakeholder management. Shammah was one of Jessica Dikmoet's interviewees, for Speculate or Die Tryin' curated by Najah Aouaki.

In the Bijlmer Parktheater, new stories are developed, new makers can develop artistically and the audience feels at home. The theater challenges visitors, participants, artists and makers to imagine the future together. The Bijlmer Parktheater is one of the initiators of SHEBANG.

CBK Zuidoost is a presentation institution that brings intercultural, present-day visual art to people in an accessible way, including exhibitions, an art library, education programs and an artist-in-residency program. The institution has been active in the Bijlmer for more than 30 years. CBK Zuidoost is one of the initiators of SHEBANG.

Imagine IC is a conversation place about heritage in Amsterdam South East. With participatory heritage work, Imagine IC wants to discuss and improve current social relations. She then shares her expertise to work on a democratic heritage methodology. Imagine IC is one of the initiators of SHEBANG.

Glenn Helberg is a psychiatrist, educator and writer. He worked for many years as a psychiatrist and immersed himself in psychiatry in non-Western cultures; in his own words, transcultural psychiatry. He works around questions about what the future of the transcultural society will look like and how we can still find connection in our ever-transforming existence.

Kimberley Smit works as a project leader at The Need for Legacy - a community-driven organization focused on mapping the stories and histories of performing artists of color. Kimberley is also a board member for various (social) organizations. Smit took on the project leadership and supported the conceptual development of Issue 4.

Alydia Wever is an Aruban multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, theater maker, dancer and dance teacher. She uses her artistically diverse practice to educate, inspire and portray a conceptual understanding of life with her work as a language that can bridge cultural and individual differences. Alydia is part of the artistic team of Issue 4 curated by Glenn Helberg.

Frederick Calmes was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti, raised in Curacao, and is an artist and designer. Frederick is polytheistic, they grew up with catholicism and the voodoo religion. Frederick practices his own version of voodoo or, as they call it, "Neo voodooism”: performing traditional voodoo rituals in an artistic form. Frederick is part of the artistic team of Issue 4 curated by Glenn Helberg.

Raul Balai lives and works in Amsterdam. His focus lies on themes such as cultural clashes, hybridity, exchanges and transformations. His multi-ethnic background translates into challenging conventional stereotypes. He mocks the burdens of history, plays with prejudices and defies intolerance, all with a wink. Raul is part of the artistic team of Issue 4 curated by Glenn Helberg.

Zawdie Sandvliet is the founder and lecturer of the course Afro-Dutch Studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Afro-Dutch Studies is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on the history and contemporary realities of Afro-Dutch people. Zawdie is also a lecturer in social studies at the Ingenieur Lelylyceum in Amsterdam Zuidoost. Zawdie was a writer/performer during meeting 1 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Babah Tarawally is a writer, columnist and journalist. Tarawally fled Sierra Leone in the nineties because of the war violence and went through a seven-year asylum procedure in the Netherlands. Tarawally works as a trainer for various organisations that connect refugees and Dutch people. Babah was a writer/performer during meeting 1 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Cherella Gessel, also known as Chella Chella, is a multidisciplinary artist and model. They combine both text theatre and physical acting – in theatre and film – with dance, rap, Spoken Word, modelling, styling, hair styling and make-up. Cherella was a dancer/performer during meeting 1 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Ayaovi Kokousse is an expert in West African dance styles and teaches at various dance academies and dance schools. As a child he danced to the beat of African drums, played by his grandfather. He provides performances and projects with his dance and music group Forêt Sacrée Obouibé. Ayaovi was a dancer/performer during meeting 1 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Angila Albitrouw is a sociologist and focuses on cultural development. She is a writer and Spoken Word artist and writes poetry mainly in Aucan around themes such as identity, freedom, cultural values ​​and norms, self-employment, stigmatisation and black consciousness. She also gives workshops in Saramaccan embroidery. Angila was a writer/performer during meeting 2 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Leander Vermaning is a cultural creator and co-founder of Wasjikwa, Our House in the Arawak language of Suriname, Lokono heritage specialist, workshop leader and publisher. She is active in the field of cultural heritage, art, environment and exchange projects. Leander was a writer/performer during meeting 2 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Dwayne Toemere is a Work and Organisational Psychologist with experience as a trainer and coach in the corporate world. He also works as a teacher and artistic director at the Amsterdam University of the Arts and as an actor for professional theater companies. Dwayne was a dancer/performer during meeting 2 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Josè Tojo is a theatre maker and artistic director of Stichting Kula Skoro; Surinamese for school. Josè was born in the Maroon culture of the Surinamese interior. He was ten years old when he went to the city and moved to the Netherlands at the age of 32. He wants to convey the Surinamese Maroon culture in an interactive way with his work. Josè was a dancer/performer during meeting 2 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Jomecia Oosterwolde is a choreographer, teacher and founder of Odej Dance: Dances of the West African diaspora. She works as a dancer at home and abroad and with well-known artists in the hip-hop and street dance scene. She combines her dance experience and expertise with her Afro-Surinamese roots, and brings this to the theater. Jomecia was a dancer/performer during meeting 3 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Jonathan Tjien Fooh is a researcher, lecturer, writer and translator. His work is rooted in untangling systems of exclusion and oppression, using an intersectional and decolonial lens, and bringing untold and erased (history)stories to life. He works around themes related to the meaning of rukun and well-being in the lives of Javanese women in Suriname, arts-based research, queerness, identity, migration and the politics of belonging. Jonathan was a writer/performer at meeting 3 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Junadry Leocaria has been working as a professional dancer for over ten years, a talented key figure and striking appearance in the field of urban dance theater. In her workshops, Leocaria emphasises the expressive side of dance. She searches for a choreography in which different styles can form a whole in an organic way. In developing her characteristic style, Leocaria's knowledge of Curaçao's intangible heritage is of great influence. Junadry was a dancer/performer during meeting 4 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Gregory ‘Shaggy’ Albertzoon is a hip-hop dancer, choreographer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Stichting Free&Style, where he gives young dance talent from Amsterdam Zuidoost the opportunity to train as a dancer and teacher. Shaggy works as a hip-hop teacher at the LMIPA, and teaches students the moves and hip-hop history and culture. Gregory was a dancer/performer during meeting 4 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Laurindo Andrea is a fashion designer, historian and researcher interested in reopening and reactivating archives of a loaded past. He recently created the performance ‘Voices from Letters: Zikinzá’ together with musician Vernon Chatlein. Laurindo was a writer/performer during meeting 4 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Adeiye Tjon aka ‘MC Complex’ is one of the founders of Dutch hip hop and has been active in the international hip hop scene for many years. As an MC he has an impressive track record characterised by the many collaborations with famous artists. As a coach and (workshop) teacher he shares his passion for spoken word and music. Adeiye was writer/performer during meeting 4 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Eva Croes is a dancer, teacher and maker. She recently launched her dance company EMA Dance Co., bringing together independent work, filmmaking, coaching, educational programs, festivals, artistic collaborations and teaching the art of dance to the next generation of professional dancers. Eva was a dancer/performer at Gathering 5 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Michael Wanga manifests himself as a musician under the name Karpachii, and is a dancer and theatre maker. In his recent own performance Den mi wesu – Papiamentu for: in my bones – he explored his Afro-Caribbean roots. Karpachii was a musician/performer during meeting 5 of Issue 4 led by Glenn Helberg.

Imelda was a writer/performer at meeting 5 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA) is a theatre in the heart of Amsterdam and home to its own international ensemble of actors, as well as many other performing artists from the Netherlands and abroad. Together they form a unique institution that programs, produces and inspires from a contemporary perspective. ITA was one of the locations of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Studium Generale organises lectures, debates and talk shows, lecture series, film, art, poetry and theater evenings and the PAS Festival. It offers in-depth activities for students of Maastricht University and other interested parties. Studium Generale Maastricht was one of the locations of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.

Daphne Ollivieira is a coach, examiner, gives training in education and is the founder of the Coachkeuken. Daphne provided the bites for the audience of Issue 4.

Wendelisa Ragil is an audiovisual storyteller, independent photographer and film producer, and production assistant. Her ambition is to become one of the best Surinamese film/tv producers. She also works for the LGBTQIA+ community and supporting talented Surinamese makers to develop themselves. Wendelisa is a video- and photographer for SHEBANG.

Ryan Weibolt is the owner of Flexxes, with which he provides audiovisual services for large and small events. He does business with a local impact by connecting with local professionals and companies in Zuidoost, and investing in the neighbourhood as a client and contractor. Ryan frequently takes care of the technical support and production for our (external) programming.

Lenny Hendrixx is a fashion designer, actor and musician. DUTCH CARIBBEAN ACT, Dancehall Bubbling style, with unique Afrobeat elements. Lenny was a writer/performer at meeting 5 of Issue 4 by Glenn Helberg.