People.
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Gyonne Zafira (she/her) - Core Team Member
Hi, i'm Gyonne and i'm the founder of the Counter/Narratives (second iteration) and the Be Right Back | Bai Bin Podcast. On a related note, i am also a senior policy advisor for Culture in the Caribbean Region. In my daily life, i work with the team on various ways of policy transitions, system changes, programs, and different forms of archiving possibilities beyond normative designs.
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Nagila Muller (she/her) - Core Team Member
Hi! My name is Nagila and I’ve been a Core Member since 2023. My journey as an Aruban navigating life in the Netherlands has led me from a corporate role in medical information to fully committing myself to community-focused work with Counter/Narratives (amongst others). My family ties in Bonaire (and Colombia to a lesser extent) shaped my perspective on the richness of the shared experiences of the ABCSSS community. After completing my studies in Biomedical Sciences and Cognitive Neuroscience in Maastricht, I moved to Rotterdam for my corporate job, next to which I eventually began to explore the intersection of storytelling and community organizing. This all started during the pandemic, when I co-founded a podcast (Combined Impact) that opened avenues for numerous community projects. Through C/N, I aim to illuminate the capabilities and realities of living within the diasporic space between the islands and the Netherlands, bridging connections between the ones living the dushi island life and us in the diaspora. I also want to focus on uplifting the authentic voices of our community, especially those whose lived experiences challenge dominant narratives. I believe in reclaiming the knowledge of those who came before us. It’s essential to highlight that our practices, deeply rooted in adaptation and innovation, hold the key to sustainable solutions rather than succumbing to colonial narratives that undermine our cultural heritage. In everything that I do, my goal is to inspire people to have pride in our ancestral customs and reconnect our diaspora with the profound knowledge that has shaped our identities. I want to ensure that the stories we tell reflect the true essence of our community, celebrating our creativity, wisdom, and resilience.
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Natisha Engel (she/her)- Core Team Member & Social Media Manager
Hey everyone! I’m Natisha Engel (she/her), and as a graphic designer from Curacao I get to bring my creativity to the social media page of Counter Narratives! Creating is what inspires me to stay close to my roots and connecting with others. It never stops to fascinate me how much unique knowledge, culture, and history we share among each other. Currently based in The Netherlands and jumping on every new adventure I can find, I get excited about fashion, early 2000s pop music and traveling. With a background in Communications, I always knew I wanted to be as creative as I could. Graphic design just made a lot of sense for me, because I felt myself gravitating to redesigning things in my mind and gathering inspiration together (very 13 going on 30 magazine remodel scene). I’m excited to visually present the things we’ve been creating behind the scenes with you all soon!
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Jaïr van Nes (he/they/she) - Core Team Member
Hi there! My name is Jaïr (he/they/she), an interdisciplinary scholar and cultural worker, and I'm C/N's newest core member! I was born and raised on Aruba with roots in Peru and Suriname and I’ve been living in in the Netherlands since 2016. When I first moved to the Netherlands I lived five years in Maastricht studying psychology and neuroscience, naively thinking I could contribute to transforming the mental healthcare system. However, in the midst of a lot of self-study, I found myself disillusioned by Western psychology's individualistic and liberal framework, and the oppressive legacies embedded in its institution, leading me to further my education with a degree in critical sociology (i.e., gender studies, critical race theory). This choice went alongside my move to Rotterdam four years ago — still one of the best decisions I’ve EVER made, as it introduced me to an enriching cultural scene, a wide variety of great foods, and most importantly, a community of like-minded others. It got me acquainted (and involved!) with a lovely bunch of creative thinkers, do-ers, and grassroots collectives centered around decoloniality, resistance and solidarity. So why join C/N? Building these relationships rooted in radical kinship instilled in me the joy of organising and collective care, cultivating my desire to give back to my own community — those of us from the ABC-SSS islands. With C/N, I’m excited to learn more about community organizing, and how we can empower and amplify underrepresented voices and foster community within the islands and the diaspora. Besides C/N, I’m also interested in all things queer, Latinx, and anti-colonial — and on a day off you can probably find me at a cozy café with friends, on a sunny day at the lake or beach for sure, or at one of the many exciting cultural happenings going on around town. I’m happy to connect with others, so feel free to reach out!
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Aqueene Wilson (she/her) - Creative Team Member
Aqueene Wilson is an photographer, researcher, writer and allround creative entrepreneur from and based in Curaçao. Her being is full of creative possibilities, making her a true multi-hyphenate, dedicated to the visibility and liberation of Black and Brown folks. Her practice is rooted in in the act of holding space and reimagining new ecosystems in which softness, vulnerability, reflection and rest serve as important portals for a durable and celebratory human experience. Check out her website: inawestudio.com
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Suyin Ridderstaat (she/her) - Creative Team Member
Suyin is a multidisciplinary creative and freelance illustrator who specializes in blending analog art, photography, and graphic design. With a bachelor’s degree in International Communication Management and further studies in Illustration at the Willem de Kooning Academy of Art, she has built an artistic voice that bridges worlds and creates awareness through communication, art, and design. Driven by her deep appreciation for diversity and cultures, Suyin has worked in various countries, including the Netherlands, South Africa, and England and now settled on Aruba. Her curiosity for emotional intelligence has shaped a perspective deeply rooted in spiritual, environmental, and humanitarian causes. These values form the foundation of her work, influencing both her artistic creations and the projects she chooses to pursue. Suyin’s professional experience includes working as an in-house graphic designer for HUE Faculty, a global meditation and spirituality education platform, and WORM Rotterdam, an avant-garde music and events venue in Rotterdam, NL. She also collaborated with the Metabolic Foundation in Aruba, focusing on initiatives that stimulate social entrepreneurship and promote sustainable urbanism. Suyin now channels her extensive experience and creative expertise at Freeway, a dynamic creative agency. Here, she leverages her skills to help NGOs and companies amplify their social impact, communication, and purpose. On the side she continues to fulfill her artistic voice and also artistically creating platforms for others to give voice through interactive community projects such as 'Bo Storia di Suerte' together with Plataforma Aruba.
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Meliange Comenencia (she/her) - Creative Team Member
Meliange is a storyteller, creator, and dreamer raised in Rotterdam with Curaçaoan roots. With her background in fashion design and cultural studies, she combines personal stories with social themes through painting, crochet, and fashion design. To be Vocal In Color is to be unashamed and present in an environment that finds your existence inferior. Meliange's work exists to make people think about vulnerability, culture, and healing while offering a sense of hope and inspiration.