eppchez yo-sí yes
Imagination and design toward self-determination
eppchez combines eir calling to support people on their journeys of bodily autonomy and gender self-determination with imaginative design and spiritual direction and intuitive somatic ritual. As Friend in Residence eppchez is looking forward to sharing with students about this deep work as well as what it has meant for em to embark on the process of bringing a revolutionary chest compression design to a wider market. As a Quaker and organizer with deep emotional investments in integrity, environmental reciprocity, and reparations for colonization what does it mean engage with the capitalist marketplace? What lessons from the creative process of making theater have shown up in entrepreneurship?

Photo: Kathryn Raines/Plate3Photography
Friend in Residence
eppchez yo-sí yes is a Quaker, gender-expansive, Cuban & Jewish playwright/lyricist, performer/clown, Inventor/crafter, and doula/spiritual companion. In 2016 eppchez started up Alma's Engine; a production company and creative ministry developing eir playful and profound new work across a variety of mediums (Self Realized:Nation, They Extract, Training; a one-troll-show, Publik Private, Pollination, CODEx pt1).
As an inventor, designer and puppet maker, eppchez develops wearable art and garments to aid gender-expansive life. Darb Garb began in 2017 when eppchez started using puppet making techniques to craft non-phalic art pieces to “pack” with. Ey continues to take commissions for gender affirming wearable art and prosthetics through Darb Garb. In 2023 eppchez is beginning a new adventure as co-founder of euphorm. Working to create safe, ergonomic shapewear that addresses the needs of gender-expansive people.
Eppchez was raised among Friends in New England Yearly Meeting. Ey came to Philly after college as a QVS fellow and now worships as a member with Green St Meeting. For more than a decade eppchez has served on Friends’ committees addressing racism and exclusion among Quakers. In 2022 eppchez gave a keynote address at Philadelphia Yearly Meeting with the theme noticing harming foundations and ancestral accountability. Over the past few years eppchez has developed a training to help friends notice patterns of harm and healing in their collective discernment and individual lives. Ey continues to facilitate this training for Friends General Conference and other groups of Quakers interested in the practice.
Most of eppchez’s work at Haverford will happen on campus between September 25 and October 5, 2023.
Events
VCAM Block Party
Wednesday, September 20, 7:00 p.m.
Tabling
Having Boundaries with Capitalism: Round Table Discussion
Tuesday, September 26, 4:30 p.m.
VCAM 201
Eppchez is starting a company. How do you engage with capitalism in a way that respects your boundaries and the moral boundaries you want to uphold for the protection of all creation. Cosponsored by VCAM, Maker Space, Haverford Innovations Program (HIP).
Designing with By-products; An Exploration of Scoby Leather
Workshop, Part 1
Wednesday, September 27, 4:30 p.m.
Maker Space
DIT (do it together) experiment with this ancient and accessible material made from a byproduct of kombucha drink. Maker Space Workshop, cosponsored by VCAM.
Designing with By-products
Workshop, Part 2
Tuesday, October 3, 4:30 p.m.
Maker Space
Join us even if you missed Part 1. Workshop, cosponsored by VCAM.
Alma’s Engine; Soul Fueling Songs
One person performance
Thursday, October 5, 7:00 p.m.
Stokes Hall
Re-mixed versions of songs from Quaker youth programs, whimsical and thought-provoking original music, and excerpts of eir writing.