Have you ever walked into a room and felt like your story didn’t quite belong there? For many in diaspora communities, that feeling is all too familiar. Yet for decades, community organizers, creatives, and thinkers have been building spaces where we do belong.
SPORA builds on that tradition. Our goal: a platform in the Netherlands for voices, stories, and ideas within diaspora communities by creating an ecosystem of creativity, growth, intergenerational education, and visibility. Where diaspora narratives are not translated, filtered, or minimized, but expressed fully. A space for African, Caribbean, and broader diaspora voices to speak freely, connect deeply, and share ideas on their own terms. Because when we gather, we grow.
For our first edition, three changemakers explore what it means to connect. To nature, to each other, and to ourselves:
Kriticos Mwansa – “The Art of Bringing People Together”
Community can’t be manufactured, but we can create the conditions for it to flourish. In an era where “community” is often reduced to a buzzword, Kriticos shares insights on gathering people in a way that feels organic and sincere. From spatial arrangements to conversation prompts. True belonging isn’t engineered; it surfaces when people feel genuinely invited, safe, and when we intentionally design the room for connections to take root.
Glenn Helberg – “Dispersion of Seeds”
What we call culture is often something that exists as a reaction to the environment. Glenn explores the nervous system, the behaviors we show, and understanding why that behavior is shown; adaptation to what our cultures used to be or meant to be.
Jody Morgan – “Touch Grass”
How does nature shape our identity, culture, wellbeing, and sense of belonging? What can nature teach us about connecting with ourselves and with others? Humans are inherently relational, and we often think of nature as scenery, but what if it’s actually one of our oldest relationships?
More about the keynote speakers…
Glenn Helberg is a psychiatrist, author, speaker, and activist who has spent decades improving the position of Antilleans and Arubans in the Netherlands. He broke multiple taboos within the Caribbean community, including absent fatherhood and homosexuality. In 2011, he initiated the first Antillean boat at Amsterdam’s Pride Canal Parade. He received a royal knighthood in 2013, the Black Achievement Award oeuvre prize in 2019, and the Jos Brink Oeuvre Prize in 2021 for his work as a mental health father of the queer community. Helberg is co-founder of the Expertise Center for Transcultural Therapy.
Kriticos Mwansa is a Zambian-born creative with deep Tanzanian roots, a cultural curator, and the visionary founder of The Book Club. He has cultivated a vibrant community centered on a refreshing premise: “No reading required to spark an incredible dialogue.” By bridging literature with music, art, and culinary experiences, Kriticos reimagines reading as a shared cultural journey rather than a solitary task. From intimate dinners to prisons, to prestigious museums and private members clubs, his mission remains constant: gathering curious minds to exchange knowledge and foster connection through the power of conversation.
Jody Morgan was born on the beautiful island of Saba. Her cultural identity has been shaped by her island home and the countries of her parents: Suriname and St. Lucia. Moving to the Netherlands at 17, Jody began pursuing her dream of becoming an entrepreneur and making a positive impact in the world. She has started businesses ranging from designing jewelry that represents Saba and islands across the Caribbean, to graphic and web design, to consultancy for Caribbean companies. Today, she is also the co-host of the Bite the Bullet Podcast. Through all her ventures, Jody continues to find avenues that keep her close to her culture.
