The I Was Here Project is designed to lift our youth and create a paradigm shift in the consciousness of the country - a national reckoning in acknowledgment of the power of ancestry. We highlight the fundamental role enslaved Africans played in building America and empower the descendants whose ancestors were key to the bedrock of our country. We do this through a synthesis of the arts, dialogue and technology to deepen and reshape our understanding of the concept of Nation Building.

I Was Here fills a visual and historic void in our nation’s collective memory. Founded in 2016, the project advances civic narrative repair through the muscular power of the arts. By addressing narrative debt in the public realm, I Was Here reframes history from inherited trauma to inherited
agency, shifting how current and future generations understand ancestry, identity, and belonging.

The project began in Lexington, Kentucky, with a vision of an African mother and child appearing in the windows of the Historic Courthouse, once the site of the largest auction of enslaved Africans west of the Alleghenies. Photographer Patrick Mitchell, Barry Darnell Burton, and
Marjorie Guyon began with a photoshoot of contemporary African Americans to create a timeless set of Archetypal Ancestor Portraits. Since then, I Was Here has grown into a series of public art, public history, education, and immersive storytelling experiences that use portraiture,
technology, humanities, and community dialogue to create living memory museums in civic space.

The organization’s work is grounded in the belief that young people thrive when they can see themselves reflected in the story of their nation and believe their voices matter within it. Across America, too many young people grow up disconnected from the histories, cultures, and community narratives that shape the places they live. This absence creates what I Was Here calls narrative debt: the lack of community-authored stories in public life and civic spaces. When youth cannot identify with what they are taught or see themselves reflected in the world around them, they disengage. I Was Here addresses this gap through a standards-aligned workshop model that develops literacy, leadership, public speaking, and civic confidence through four phases: Ancestry, Voice, Future, and Presence.

Community members are the "Social Engine" of this project, moving from passive viewers to active co-creators of their city’s narrative. Through our 4-phase "Invitation to Respond" workshop series, participants—recruited via partners —internalize their identity as "Descendants of Nation
Builders". This pedagogy drives active civic agency:

• Ancestry: Replacing historical trauma with ancestral pride and ownership.
• Voice: Developing critical literacy and voice through personal narrative.
• Future: Planning specific acts of personal influence within local
neighborhoods.
• Presence: Presenting community-authored narratives directly to Civic
Leaders, the broader community, friends and family.

I Was Here has produced arts and culture events in partnership with colleges, community centers, museums, civic partners, youth-serving organizations, and public venues. Installations from Washington, D.C., to rural Kentucky and New York City have gained national recognition.

• Cultural/Multi-Arts
• Arts Education/Youth Arts
• Literary Arts
• Performing Arts
• Visual Arts
• Public Art

The I Was Here Project (IWH) seeks $10,000 from LexArts to support the digital capture of youth-authored stories created through our Nation Builders Workshop Series: The Lion Finds Its Voice. This content will be shared with the community through an 8' x 4' hologram box to be installed at select significant civic locations.. IWH has partnered with Meghan Scott at the University of Kentucky whose focus is Supporting Black girls through a culturally enriched social-emotional learning intervention, LFUCG's Division of Youth Services and Operation Be You to administer Nation Builder's Workshops.

We were awarded a grant through the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels allowing for the purchase of the hologram box. Support from LexArts will allow us to highlight our youth with cutting edge technology that all residents of Fayette County can experience.

The requested funding will support preparing youth to be videoed for the hologram box, production of that video , and presentation of Fayette County youth narratives that have come from the Nation Builders Workshop Series. These personal stories will be professionally recorded and incorporated into a hologram box that will travel to various civic spaces throughout Fayette County, giving the public an opportunity to elevate and experience youth voices in an innovative artistic format.

The Nation Builders Workshop Series is an interdisciplinary arts experience that uses creative writing, spoken word, storytelling, dialogue, and performance to help young people explore ancestry, identity, belonging, and civic responsibility. Developed through the I Was Here Project, the workshops address what we call narrative debt—the absence of community-authored stories in the places where communities gather and learn. When young people cannot see themselves reflected in public history, they are often left without a sense of belonging or possibility. Through facilitated conversation, narrative writing and public presentation, participants discover that their experiences, families, and aspirations are powerful and integral to Lexington's evolving story.

Working alongside professional artists and facilitators, participants develop written narratives through a series of guided workshops centered on the themes of ancestry, voice, future, and presence. Youth refine their writing, strengthen public speaking skills, explore spoken-word performance, and collaborate with peers while building confidence in their ability to share and own their creative voices.

The culmination of the workshops is not simply a performance but the creation of a lasting public artwork. Selected narratives will be professionally produced and presented within a hologram box that combines storytelling, visual imagery, and emerging technology to create a powerful audience experience. The installation transforms personal stories into accessible public art, allowing residents throughout Fayette County to encounter authentic youth perspectives in significant community settings.

Unlike a traditional exhibition that remains in a single venue, the hologram box is designed to travel throughout the community. By bringing the installation to schools, libraries, neighborhood centers, arts venues, and civic events, the project reaches audiences who may not otherwise engage with youth-created artwork while encouraging conversations about identity, history, empathy, and belonging.

The project is strengthened through partnership with the LFUCG Division of Youth Services, whose mission is to empower young people through positive youth development, leadership opportunities, and community engagement. Together, DYS and I Was Here create a supportive environment where youth not only develop artistic skills but also recognize the power of their voices to shape their communities.

The anticipated outcomes extend beyond the workshop participants. Youth will strengthen their narrative writing, storytelling, communication, and leadership skills while gaining confidence in expressing their lived experiences through art. Audiences throughout Fayette County will experience a unique and ongoing public art installation that elevates youth voices and fosters deeper understanding across generations and neighborhoods. The hologram installation will continue serving as an ongoing community creating opportunities for a growing list of participants.

At its heart, The Lion Finds Its Voice is about transforming private stories into public art. By combining creative writing, spoken word, digital media, and technology, the project creates meaningful opportunities for Fayette County youth to see themselves as artists, storytellers, and contributors to Lexington's civic and cultural landscape. LexArts' investment will help ensure these voices are not only heard but experienced throughout the community, creating a lasting celebration of creativity, identity, empowerment and belonging.

IWH has DEI built into its DNA. From its origins, the project has been designed to center and serve communities whose histories have been overlooked and whose access to high-quality cultural programming has often been limited. 1. Location Equity: We intentionally anchor events and art in underserved locations and venues so that we eliminate common barriers such as cost, distance, and unfamiliarity with institutional venues. 2. Free and Open Access: All events are offered at no cost to participants. This ensures that income level is never a barrier to participation or engagement. 3. Community Partnerships: We invite local grassrooots organizations, faith-based institutions, schools, and cultural leaders who have deep trust and presence within the community to be our partners. 4. Culturally Responsive Programming: The content reflects the experiences, histories, and identities of African American audiences and others whose histories have been overlooked.

Participants are Fayette County youth from underserved communities with limited access to high-quality arts programming and opportunities for creative expression. Some will be engaged through the LFUCG Division of Youth Services along with Operation Be You and UK educator Meghan Scott. All serve youth representing diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, families with lower incomes, varying educational attainment, and facing barriers to opportunity. The project is intentionally inclusive and welcomes participants of all genders and abilities. By meeting youth where they are and providing workshops at no cost, IWH removes barriers to participation while amplifying voices that are often underrepresented in public spaces. The hologram installation expands the audience to residents of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds throughout Fayette County, making youth-created art accessible across neighborhoods and fostering greater understanding, connection, and belonging.

IWH benefits the community by addressing both arts-based and broader community needs through interdisciplinary public art and arts education. In Fayette County, there is a clear need for fuller representation of African American contributions in public memory, greater access to interdisciplinary public art experiences, and culturally responsive arts education that reflects diverse histories. Beyond arts-specific gaps, our community faces challenges related to youth leadership development, civic engagement, and historical literacy. Many young people—especially those from low-to-moderate-income households—lack structured opportunities to explore identity, build confidence, and connect personal history to broader civic narratives. The community also seek spaces for reflection and dialogue that foster belonging and shared understanding.

We identify these needs through participant surveys, educator feedback, collaboration with youth-serving organizations, dialogue with civic leaders, and evaluation of demographic participation data. Partnerships with colleges, community organizations, tourism leaders, and public officials provide ongoing insight into cultural, educational, and economic priorities. Our response integrates immersive installations, spoken word performance, and facilitated workshops that transform public spaces into living classrooms. Our program advances historical literacy, creative expression, and leadership skills while increasing access to no cost arts experiences. Youth ambassadors serve as facilitators and public presenters, strengthening a pipeline from arts participation to civic engagement and higher education. Partnerships with the Kentucky Colonels, the Kentucky Historical Society, America 250KY, Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage, VisitLex, and the Fayette County Public Art Commission maximize resources and broaden reach. Youth ambassadors have presented before the Mayor of Lexington, the Secretary of Tourism, and the Executive Director of the Kentucky Arts Council, demonstrating measurable impact in cultural enhancement, civic identity formation, and economic vitality through increased visitation and media attention. Through these efforts, IWH strengthens community identity, expands cultural access, and positions the arts as essential civic infrastructure.

The marketing plan for The Lion Finds Its Voice will be rooted in partnership, community trust, and cross-sector visibility. Because this project is designed to elevate the voices of Fayette County youth and families, our outreach strategy will begin with the trusted networks already connected to the project: IWH, LFUCG Youth Services, Kentucky Colonels, and local nonprofit, education, civic, and cultural partners. These relationships will allow us to reach youth, families, educators, artists, community leaders, and residents who would most benefit from the effort. The hologram box installations will be promoted through coordinated digital outreach, including social media posts, email distribution lists, partner newsletters, website listings, and direct invitations to community stakeholders.

IWH is built on collaboration, bringing together arts, education, local government, and community partners to expand access to meaningful cultural experiences. One of our partners is the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Youth Services (DYS), which recruits participants, provides trusted relationships with youth and families, and will integrate the Nation Builders Workshop Series into its youth development programming. Through this partnership, young people gain opportunities to develop creative writing, storytelling, public speaking, and leadership skills while exploring their personal and community histories. We have long standing partnerships with Operation Be You, Inc and we are building on these relationships with ongoing support from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, whose recent grant funded the purchase of a portable hologram box. LexArts funding will allow I Was Here to complete the next phase by professionally capturing and producing youth-authored narratives for presentation in this innovative format.

Additional collaborations with libraries, museums, schools, arts organizations, neighborhood centers, and community festivals will provide public venues where the traveling holographic installation can be experienced by audiences throughout Fayette County. These partnerships expand access to the arts by bringing the installation directly into community spaces, reaching residents who may not regularly attend traditional arts venues.

The expected outcomes extend beyond the workshop participants. Youth will strengthen literacy, creative expression, communication, confidence, and civic engagement while seeing their stories elevated as works of public art. Community partners will gain an engaging educational resource that encourages dialogue about identity, history, belonging, and shared experiences. The installation will enrich Lexington's cultural landscape by showcasing authentic youth voices through an innovative blend of storytelling, spoken word, digital media, and immersive technology.

The project also contributes to the local creative economy by engaging Fayette County artists, writers, videographers, and creative professionals in the production and presentation of the installation. Together, these partnerships create a sustainable model that connects arts and civic engagement while increasing public access to high-quality cultural experiences throughout Fayette County.

The goal of The Lion Finds Its Voice is to empower Fayette County youth to discover, develop, and publicly share their stories through creative writing, spoken word, and immersive digital art through the utilization of cutting edge technology. Participants will strengthen their artistic, communication, and leadership skills while exploring identity, ancestry, and belonging. Their original narratives will become part of a hologram box installation that brings youth voices into libraries, schools, museums, civic spaces, and community events across Fayette County.

These goals directly support the IWH's mission to preserve untold stories, amplify underrepresented voices, and transform personal narratives into public experiences that foster connection, understanding, and community pride. By making youth-authored stories visible and accessible, the project empowers at risk youth and ensures that the next generation helps shape Lexington's cultural and civic narrative.

IWH evaluates its delivery through measurable outcomes, structured data collection, and continuous program refinement. Planning is collaborative and includes the Conceptual Artist, workshop facilitators, educational partners, youth advisors, and board members. We collect quantitative data through attendance tracking, registration forms, demographic surveys, participation counts, and artist contract records. These tools measure total engagement, representation of underserved populations, youth participation, and paid opportunities for local artists. Social media analytics and media coverage data help assess broader public reach. Qualitative evaluation includes pre- and post-workshop surveys, written reflections, facilitator assessments, and participant testimonials. These instruments measure growth in historical literacy, civic understanding, creative expression, and leadership confidence. We also assess artistic quality using criteria including professional portfolio review, historical accuracy, accessibility standards, and community responsiveness. Data are analyzed annually with staff, artists, board members, and partners to evaluate progress toward engagement, education, and equity goals. If outcomes fall below targets, outreach strategies, curriculum design, or partnership approaches are adjusted. Strong findings inform expansion into additional communities and strengthen future funding proposals. This outcomes-driven evaluation cycle ensures accountability, artistic excellence, and sustained community impact while aligning program delivery with organizational mission.

The hologram box, including the narratives recorded by our youth participants, will be located in a high traffic, easily accessible public space during the summer, and we welcome the opportunity to encourage visitation through the LexArts Cultural Pass. We are currently working with Celeste Lewis, Public Art Director, to determine a 3 year schedule for high traffic interior installation locations. These locations will be in place by January and we can share the schedule where the hologram box will be next summer.

To maximize the educational impact of the hologram box experience, IWH will provide educators with supporting resources that help students engage meaningfully with the youth-authored stories they encounter. Educators will receive discussion guides, reflection questions, and suggested activities designed to encourage conversations about identity, ancestry, storytelling, empathy, and community history. These tools will help teachers prepare students before viewing the installation, facilitate thoughtful dialogue during the experience, and encourage reflection afterward through writing, classroom discussion, or creative response. By equipping educators with resources that connect the artwork to curriculum areas such as language arts, social studies, history, and civic engagement, the hologram box becomes more than a visual experience—it becomes an interactive learning opportunity that helps students understand the power of personal narratives and the importance of seeing diverse voices represented in public spaces.

• IWH-2025-Bal-Sheet.pdf
• IWH-2025-PL.pdf

• Scott-Biographical-Sketch-2026-2.docx
• Barry-Darnell-Burton-bio-.docx
• Bio-Marjorie-Guyon-I-Was-Here-Project-1.docx
• Roberta-Davis-Bio-4.9.2024.pdf

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• What-I-know-Is-That-It-Has-To-Be-Done-Nation-Builders-Workshop.MOV
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• Youth-Services-Letter-of-Support-Briana-Persley.pdf
• Operation-Be-You-Inc.-Letter-of-Commitment.pdf

• Marc-Aptakin-bio.docx
• Anton-Morton-Biographical-Narrative-for-Marjorie-1.docx