Podcast Episode: Empowering Minnesota’s Youth through Comic Books

One of Global Minnesota’s key programs is our professional exchanges program. As part of this, we welcome people from around the world to Minnesota to share ideas and best practices with their professional counterparts here to effect real change. The topics explored are as diverse as the visitors themselves, who find their way to Minnesota through a variety of international exchange programs. This past year, Global Minnesota partnered with more than 435 local professional resources to arrange appointments for more than 300 visitors from 137 countries and regions. One such program is the Young Leaders of the America’s Initiative. This State Department program empowers young entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to launch and advance their ideas and effectively contribute to social and economic development in their home communities.

On this episode, hear from one of last year’s YLAI Fellows who recently returned to Minnesota to showcase his new projects as part of the State Department’s Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund. Leorian Ricardo is Creative Director at Moro Studio, an arts and publishing studio that is leading the development of the comic book industry and providing professional opportunities for young talent and new, underrepresented voices in the Dominican Republic. He shared his comic book workshops called “Be the Superhero of Your Own Story” at local schools including Gideon Pond Elementary, Nova Classical Academy, and Risen Christ Catholic School and spoke with next generation creators at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. He was also featured at our recent Global Social with international visitors on October 5th.

Listen below, or subscribe to our podcast on all major podcast apps.

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Links

Global Minnesota Professional Exchanges

YLAI Program

CDAF Fellowship

Moro Studio Website

This interview was recorded on October 6, 2023, and will be available for viewing on our Calendar of Events for several weeks. All interviews are archived on our podcast feed and in our Past Events calendar.