Diasporic Genius also hosts community events like the annual Harvest Festival.

Walking through the hallways of Marc Garneau, the  school’s rich cultural diversity is easily noticeable. However, a person’s story and background cannot  be understood by walking past them on the way to class. It is because of this reason that Story Circles by an organization called Diasporic Genius was created.

Founded in 2011 with an aim to develop a creative capacity in individuals and communities, Diasporic Genius is an urban development initiative that supports the cultural, economic, and physical transformation of Toronto through creative engagements. It is organized around stories and the creative power lurking underneath them.

The Story and Creativity Circles are ongoing weekly workshops in which participants share their past experiences through story-telling and artistic self-expression. These workshops aim to develop participants’ imaginative capacity and to inspire a reimagining of their communities and the city at large.

This program runs every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 PM at the Flemingdon Park Health Center, every Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 AM at the Thorncliffe Library, and every Thursday from 4 to 6 PM at the Thorncliffe Flemingdon Neighbourhood Office.

These workshops are mainly for older adults, but there are ways for interested students to get involved. Volunteer opportunities are available and can be found on the Diasporic Genius website.