We’re thrilled to announce that ALMA Memorial project, a 2023-2024 Magic Grant led by Marina Garcia-Vasquez and Davi Merchan, has been selected to join NEW INC’s 12th annual cohort as part of their Social Architecture track. This prestigious cultural incubator at the New Museum will provide a year-long program of mentorship, business education, and opportunities to showcase their vital work addressing femicide in Mexico.
As 2023-2024 Magic Grantees at the Brown Institute, Marina and Davi have been developing ALMA Memorial as a multimedia digital platform confronting Mexico’s epidemic of gender violence, where an estimated ten girls and women are killed daily. Their platform goes beyond statistics—it creates space for families and communities to tell their stories, honor loved ones, and connect with others facing similar tragedies.
What makes ALMA particularly innovative is its integration of trauma-informed and somatic healing practices directly into the user experience design, acknowledging both grief and resilience. The team is building an open-source blueprint that other communities impacted by femicide can adapt globally, creating sustainable, scalable, and replicable solutions.
At NEW INC, Marina and Davi will join dozens of other members working at the intersection of art, design, technology, and entrepreneurship. This opportunity will help them further develop ALMA Memorial’s technical infrastructure and expand its reach.
ALMA Memorial continues demonstrating how technology, journalism, and community activism can converge to address urgent social issues.
Learn more about the project and the incubator.