New Voices
Co-Design Lab
About the Program
The New Voices Co-Design Lab is a year-long creative media program for newcomer and refugee youth ages 12 to 19 living in North Bay and surrounding communities, including Callander, Bonfield, Corbeil, Nipissing Township, and East Ferris. Funded through the Rideau Hall Foundation’s Catapult Canada initiative, the program provides free, hands-on workshops at the Near North Makerspace where youth explore storytelling, photography, video, podcasting, zine-making, and digital design.
New Voices is built around co-design: youth help shape each eight-week workshop cycle, choosing the topics, tools, and creative methods that reflect their interests, identities, and lived experiences. This approach creates a culturally safe, youth-led environment where participants build confidence, digital literacy, leadership skills, and meaningful peer connections.
The program supports newcomer youth who may experience isolation, language barriers, or hyper-visibility in school settings by offering a welcoming community space to learn, create, and belong. Through collaborative projects, hands-on media training, and opportunities to share their stories, youth strengthen their sense of identity and develop the creative and communication skills they need to thrive in their new home.
Use the form below to register for this free workshop series, scheduled to take place between May 23rd and July 11th, 2026.
Program Facilitator: Kemisola Isijola
The New Voices Co-Design Lab is facilitated by Kemisola Isijola, a media arts professional and youth mentor with a background in film production, theatre arts, and community-based programming. Originally from Nigeria and now based in North Bay, Kemi brings both lived immigrant experience and a strong commitment to using storytelling and media arts as tools for connection, empowerment, and cultural exchange. She holds a Master’s degree in Film Production and has worked across digital media, community engagement, and youth programming, helping individuals translate complex ideas and experiences into accessible and meaningful narratives.
As N2M2L’s Creative Media Facilitator, Kemi leads the New Voices Co-Design Lab by guiding newcomer and refugee youth through collaborative creative sessions focused on storytelling, video production, podcasting, and digital media. Drawing on her experience in youth programming and social service work, she creates inclusive spaces grounded in anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approaches where participants can explore their creativity and build confidence. Kemi is passionate about supporting young people in sharing their stories, developing media skills, and using art as a way to connect with their communities and shape their own narratives.