Hey everyone, Hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to share a bit about Pichardo Creative Collective, the nonprofit I’ve been building with an amazing group of creatives. We focus on storytelling, education, and community work in underserved areas—especially through film and media. While we’re rooted in the Mississippi Delta, we’ve also been active in Orlando, Harlem (NYC), and Miami—using our skills to create space for young voices and local stories that matter. Right now, we’re looking for support to grow the nonprofit side of things. That could mean funding, partnerships, gear donations, or just connections to folks who believe in this kind of work. Every little bit helps us continue empowering the next generation of storytellers. If you have ideas or know someone who might be down to support, definitely hit me up. Appreciate you all for always being in our corner!

This is the first documentary project I worked on this year along amazing Producer/Director Lara Jacoski, from Bem-te-vi Productions. The objective of this first trip was to start the consultation process about how we were going to talk about this, a documentary that shows how the Coca plant was traditionally harvested and taken care of (organically), something that barely happens nowadays. Kuka Saruy translates from Quechua as "Stomped Coca" which is the ritual moment of the harvest in which during the drying of the leaf after harvested the farmers and harvest crew step on the leaves and dance on them, and in this way pass their good energy and prayers to the leaf, as its a leaf that is considered as a spiritual tool for the people of the Andes. It was a productive trip as we were able to get at least enough footage to edit a Trailer, and start a Crowdfuning Campaign with it, apply for grants or funding, and even imagine what the script would be like. However, for different reasons, the energy flow of this project got stagnant and we never proceeded with the Crowdfunding Campaign, and didn't get any funds to continue with the project. We decided to let it rest for a while so we can ferment on successful ways to push it and finish it without any forcing. Feedback comments by the community regarding the trailer and/or the situation would be very much appreciated! Plot Summary: This movie focuses on the message that the last elder for the community have heard from their APUS, sacred mountains. Taita José, invokes his elder soon Wilfredo Apaza, the Q’ero messenger to go into an ancient pilgrimage seeking to rebuild the relationship with this sacred plant and bringing back the power of AYNI (Sacred Reciprocity). Throughout this journey full os mysteries where two realities meet, the Amazon and the Andes, he encounters fellow seekers who further underscore the importance of AYNI. The final encounter is with the elder Don Fortunato, one of the few representatives that is the living testimony of the sacred ritual of the "Kuka Saruy", which unfolds and unlocks the access to ancient wisdom that can guide humanity into a balanced life among all living beings.