May 21: Free to Be Me explores allyship and identity with Harmony Movement

Some 120 Grade 9 to 12 students will explore allyship and identity during the Rainbow District School Board’s Free to Be Me Conference on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The Harmony Movement will deliver a keynote presentation and workshops from 10 am to 1 pm at Lockerby Composite School.

The keynote will explore meaningful allyship as an ongoing journey of reflection, responsibility and courageous action. Through storytelling and guided reflection, it celebrates diversity while examining how representation, everyday interactions, and institutional practices can either affirm or undermine marginalized communities. Students will be invited to see allyship not as a label, but as a daily practice rooted in empathy, intentionality and action – helping to build school cultures where every identity is affirmed, celebrated and supported.

In “The Joy of Being Me!” workshop, students will explore how language shapes identity, self-expression and belonging. Through storytelling and creative expression, participants will reflect on who they are, who they are becoming, and the power of naming themselves on their own terms. Centering diversity, creativity and authenticity, the session creates space for students to celebrate their stories, build confidence in their voices, and imagine relationships and communities where they feel seen, affirmed and free to thrive.

The “Allyship in Action” workshop will bring students together to deepen their understanding of intersectionality and how different identities and lived experiences shape the way we move through school and community. Through personal reflection and meaningful discussion, students challenge assumptions and build practical allyship skills – learning how to listen with care, affirm queer peers, speak up when it matters, and show up consistently for one another. The session will highlight shared responsibility in creating inclusive schools where differences are respected, voices are valued, and everyone feels seen, supported and free to be themselves.

About the presenters:

Taraneh Vejdani – Program Manager
Taraneh (she/her) has been an educator and facilitator for youth and adults, particularly individuals from marginalized communities, in the past decade. Her B.A. in International Development Studies combined with her lived experience as a 1.5-generation immigrant allows her to reflect on social justice and equity issues from both local and global perspectives. Her love for arts and media motivates her to create engaging and participatory educational spaces that promote self-reflection, collective learning, and a creative mindset shaped by principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Patrick de Belen – Program Facilitator
Patrick (he/him) is a poet, filmmaker, storyteller, advocate and arts educator dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices through spoken word and creative expression. With a deep passion for community-building, his work explores themes of identity, mental health, healing and liberation. Patrick facilitates transformative learning experiences in both youth and adult education spaces, including schools, community programs, and workplace training. He uses storytelling as a tool to foster equity, empathy and inclusion across generations. One of his core missions is to create spaces where stories – especially those often unheard – can be shared, honoured and used as tools for connection and change.

Harmony Movement is a leading provider of diversity and equity training programs. Their interactive workshops help participants understand the importance of challenging inequity and biases, and gives them the tools to create change for a more inclusive world. Harmony Movement promotes inclusion, challenges discrimination, celebrates diversity and builds community. To learn more, visit harmony.ca.

Free to Be Me 
Grades 9 to 12
Thursday, May 21, 2026

AGENDA

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.