We are the First Generation Hampshire Six: young artists, activists, and First Generation students of color who are fighting to stay in college.

First Generation is a community of many ages and ancestries who come together to create art, have fun, work hard, relax, be challenged, grow, make magic, create a safe and respectful space, feel connection, and learn to nuture and support each other. We practice leadership, claim a public voice in our community, and send powerful messages out into the world through our performances.

Welcome to our Substack!

We are…

Charlette (she/her) is an actress, writer, mover and dancer. She joined the performance project in 2017. As a multidisciplinary artist, she co-authored and co-choreographed Stand Tall, Mi Gente! (2018-2020) and then Mother Tongue, touring from 2023 to 2025. The transformative experience of creating with First Generation Ensemble ignited a deep passion in her to share her art with the world. Charlette’s goal is simple; work on my craft, and touch the hearts of others along the way. She is a founding member of the Performance Project’s Collectivizing Initiative, as we transfer the Performance Project to a collective leadership model. She is planning to attend Sarah Lawrence College in New York.

Josy (she/her) is a passionate storyteller and dancer. She was accepted as a James Baldwin Scholar and was about to start her first year of college at Hampshire this fall. Josy is of African American, Trinidadian, Puerto Rican, and Native American ancestry and was born and raised in Springfield, MA. She joined First Generation as a dancer and became interested in expanding into theater. She has been an Ubuntu Mentor and a regular participant in our Wednesday Open Studios. Josy was accepted at Westfield State University’s LEAD Scholars Program and is studying early childhood education.

Lali (any pronouns) joined First Generation in the spring of 2021, trained in physical theater, co-authored and co-choreographed Mother Tongue, and toured with the rest of the ensemble. In addition to being a core ensemble member, Lali has also mentored in and developed creative arts curriculum for Ubuntu Arts Community in Holyoke and Springfield. Lali is a visual artist, a writer and has been accepted to Westfield State University to study art education.

Monisha (she/her) has been a member of First Generation Ensemble since 2021. She trained in physical theater, co-authored, co-choreographed, and toured Mother Tongue. She decided to spend a year working to support family and help them buy a house. Figuring out next steps. she’s hoping to go back to college next fall. Monisha has many interests: dance, choreography, film, visual art, design, and business- and is excited to figure out which one I’m going to pursue as a profession! Monisha was born in Nepal, and her family has origins in Tibet and Bhutan. They came to this country when she was 10 years old and is the first in her family to go to college.

Montasir (he/him) has been a member of First Generation Ensemble since 2021. He trained in physical theater, co-authored, co-choreographed, and toured Mother Tongue. He is currently in college, focusing on combining international social work with creativity, community building, and justice work. Montaser is passionate about adventure and travel. He is developing a new show with Moise and plans to tour his work internationally. Montaser is from Darfur, Sudan. He also serves on the Performance Project Board of Directors. He is a founding member of the Performance Project's Collectivizing Initiative, as we transfer the Performance Project to a collective leadership model. He was accepted to Bard College in New York to the global studies and international relations program.

and Moise (he/him), who has been a First Generation Ensemble member since 2021. Moise is a skilled circle and group facilitator. He co-facilitates workshops and our mentor and leadership trainings. Moise trained in physical theater, co-authored, co-choreographed, and toured Mother Tongue. He is also a music producer, DJ, and storyteller. Moise is currently in college, developing a new 2-person show with Montaser, and plans to tour their work internationally. He cares deeply for his family, and is passionate about his culture, friendships and fútbol. Moise is from Tanzania. He also serves on the Performance Project Board of Directors. He is a founding member of the Performance Project’s Collectivizing Initiative, as we transfer the Performance Project to a collective leadership model. He was accepted to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to study psychology and social work.

All six of us have been accepted as transfer students for the fall, however, none of these four year colleges can match the financial support at Hampshire College through the James Baldwin Scholarship program - a full scholarship plus social and academic support for first generation college students. When Hampshire announced its closure, it left us with only two weeks to complete transfer applications, leaving most students ineligible for independent scholarship opportunities.

For some of us, attending community college would mean living at home and working full-time jobs to support our families, caring for younger siblings and extended family members, all while navigating our education. For others it could mean the end of our educational journey outright.

We have remained closely connected as we transitioned into college. We continue to collaborate creatively, support each other academically and emotionally, and are employed through the Performance Project to support our independence and continued education.

We have started this Substack to raise scholarship funds to keep our education alive. Each of us has at least a $10,000 funding gap per year that needs to be covered in order to continue and finish our undergraduate educations.

Our goal is to raise $151,000 to ensure ALL SIX of us continue our journey and graduate with an undergraduate degree.

As a stretch goal, only $30,000 more allows us to include Monisha, another First Gen member who had to take a year off to start working full time to support her family.

If you are not subscribed yet, please click the button at the bottom of this post. And for you who are already subscribed, thank you for joining us on this journey.

Please enjoy this poem by Charlette as an expression of our gratitude! We’ll see you again soon.

In community,

First Generation

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