In this talk, Janine Rodrigues takes us on a deep dive: she shows how ancestry, Afro-Brazilian culture, and creativity can be powerful allies for public schools—paving the way for an education rooted in a sense of belonging, representation, and the future. It’s about breaking silences, building narratives of resistance, investing in technology, culture, and empathy, and empowering students to see value in who they are and what they can become. An essential conversation for anyone who believes that education is not neutral—it is transformative.