Rebuilding the Village Mindset in Modern Life

Kimberly Rashad is one of our newest 2025 MA in Creative Leadership graduates. Here, she reflects on how her capstone project grew into KIJIJI — a village-inspired community that helps people slow down, unlearn harmful norms, and reimagine how we live, learn, and connect.

Born from my Master of Creative Leadership capstone project, KIJIJI’s mission is to rebuild the village mindset in modern life. At a time when so many of us feel isolated, disconnected from culture, and pressured by harmful norms, KIJIJI creates space to slow down, reset, and reimagine how we live, learn, and connect.

Inspired by African traditions and the wisdom of interdependence, KIJIJI embraces the idea that wellbeing is collective. We believe education extends beyond the classroom, economics can be regenerative, and belonging should never be out of reach. In a culture that often prioritizes individualism and productivity over people, KIJIJI is an invitation back to community care, shared knowledge, and collective joy.

At KIJIJI, we practice this through three branches of work:

• The Greenhouse – residencies, youth programs, consulting and coaching that help people unlearn harmful norms and cultivate new possibilities.
• The Gatherings – seasonal events and rooted conversations that bring generations together to share stories, food, rhythm, and ideas.
• The Ecosystem – a commons of knowledge, an incubator for visionaries, and a regenerative economic framework that centers caregiving and social capital.

Through these offerings, KIJIJI helps people:

• Unlearn harmful cultural patterns
• Reset personal and collective rhythms
• Reimagine education, culture, and economics
• Restore community care as a pillar of wellbeing

As we step into this next chapter, we know community is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. KIJIJI may be young, but it is already becoming a space where culture, creativity, and care meet. This is just the beginning of a long-term vision to create rooted, intergenerational spaces of belonging — and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Join the Village

If this vision resonates with you, there are a few simple ways to connect:

• Stay connected → Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates, reflections, and invitations.
• Experience it for yourself → Join us at an upcoming Rooted Conversation or KIJIJI Mingle to see how we practice community in real time.
• Support the vision → Contribute to our crowdfunding campaign to help us grow this work and make belonging accessible.

KIJIJI is more than a project — it’s a rhythm, and growth is always stronger when shared.