Banesa is a 23 year old Japanese Dominican aspiring artist born and raised in downtown Toronto. Banesa has overcome significant personal and systemic barriers. They navigated mental health struggles, financial hardship, housing instability, and the displacement of their family from community housing due to neighbourhood gentrification. Rather than allowing difficult experiences to define them, they have used their lived experience to become an advocate within their community. Banesa has worked with a variety of community based organisation and initiatives, currently leading a mural project within lumenus Youth Wellness Hub to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and affirming space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their families. Banesa's favourite my little pony character is pinky pie and believes the world would be a better place if everyone followed the magic of friendship (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)