Supporting the strengthening of an ecosystem of young storytellers and creatives that can center their own ideas and voices in the political and cultural discourses that affect them and their communities.
Machete Labs is an intention and an experiment
– one that gives us room to explore the potential of creating opportunities for media makers living in Puerto Rico and providing pathways for allies, our diasporic community and beyond to create impact with our collaborators at the same damn time. This project seeks to contribute to the strengthening of an ecosystem of young storytellers and creatives that can center their own ideas and voices in the political and cultural discourses that affect them and their communities.
In Spring of 2023, Machete Labs will launch as a 3 month long incubator that will work with a cohort of up to 10 creatives and radical communicators to reimagine and explore how to use their talents for advocacy and/or to advance social justice in Puerto Rico.
VISION
The current public discourse of “Aqui me Quedo” (“Here I Stay”) or “Que Se Vayan Ellos” (“Let THEM Leave”) centers around the displacement and economic impracticability of young people making a living in Puerto Rico. A sentiment of “A Puerto Rico Without Puerto Ricans” has been a political driving force of government officials; their intentions revealed on the leaked chats that led to #RickyRenuncia protests and the ousting of former governor Ricky Rossello in the summer 2019.
To contribute to combating mass displacement of our most talented and brightest minds, we believe our young people in Puerto Rico need the resources, training and support to explore media making and the communications sector as not only an economic viability but also as tools for transforming the future we collectively envision for ourselves and our country.
PROGRAMMING - MENTORSHIP/EDUCATION/TRAININGS
Cultivating the next generation of content creators through community initiatives, professional development, political education, and media training.
STORYTELLING
Co-producing meaningful content that shares the real stories of everyday people, their fight and their vision for a Puerto Rico for its people.
CO-LEARNING CIRCLES
Creating spaces for learning exchanges for creatives and critical thinkers that want to share ideas, resources and knowledge to
MUTUAL AID MEDIA HUB
Access to archive video, image assets, professional development, a directory of Puerto Rico grassroots organizations, in addition to partnership opportunities with other media outlets and media and content makers.
STIPENDS/COMMISSIONED WORK
Provide paid opportunities for independent creatives and media makers working to create and co-publish content across platforms.
OFFERINGS
VALUES
We are committed to co-creating and collaborating in spaces on the basis of….
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devoting sufficient time, attention, and care to communicate, problem-solve, and build trust
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framing the incubator in ways likely to spark curiosity, excitement, and joy
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providing opportunities, mentors and learning
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giving credit for a project’s products to those involved in their creation at all levels
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supporting participants through the contextualization and tools
The Machete Labs project is made possible through support from the Ford Foundation.
CALL TO ACTIONS
DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT THIS WORK
With the support of partners, allies and our communities in the diaspora, we hope to expand the Defend PR networks, web platforms and audiences to better serve the distribution points for the digital and media work created by this next generation.
SIGN UP TO OUR MUTUAL AID HUB
By becoming a member, you’ll have free access to creative resources like video and photography archives to use for your own productions and exclusive opportunities to participate in co-learning spaces and movement collaborations.
CONSPIRE WITH US
Are you a media organization looking to partner with us? Contact us here.