Students, faculty, staff, alumni recognized
Feb. 21 was a day full of events to recognize Black heritage on campus, beginning with an artist exhibit at the Ben Bailey Art Gallery and ending the night with a Black Heritage Month Heritage Heroes ball.
The Ben Bailey Art Galley presented artist Japheth Asiedu-Kwarteng. His art displays were full of symbolic pieces from his culture. Asiedu-Kwarteng is an artist whose work is mainly inspired by Kente and traditional Ghanaian.
“I have Kente in my work and it is one particular thing that is symbolic of my heritage. Art is important and art is an important medium through which our heritage will be spread across borders beyond where our voices can reach…it’s also the best space to incorporate things that have made up my heritage into the work. My work has symbols and stories that cut across cultures, that cuts across borders, cuts across heritages,” Asiedu-Kwarteng said.
Asiedu-Kwarteng explained how honored he feels to have the opportunity to put his work on display, to let others hear his story, and to be able to exhibit his work in honor of Black Heritage Month events on campus.
Followed by the art gallery exhibit event was the Black Heritage Month Heritage Heroes event.
Student Engagement and Campus Life held the event at the MSUB ballrooms as a formal ball to honor Black heritage.
Many people were in attendance at the Black Heritage Month Heritage Heroes celebration where they stood with admiration in honor of the 12 Heritage Heroes who were recognized that night. These 12 heroes are students, alumni, and members of the community who have shown success in their field and who continuously give back and stay involved with the university.
“It’s always good to give back and to remember where you come from. To always remember who came before you and who’s to come after you. To celebrate throughout February the specific African American heritage and specifically the impact that African American people have had on campus and around the world is just super important, to always be knowledgeable and to always be informed with what’s going on and what our history is,” senior Student Body Vice President and Co-Chair of Black Heritage Month Jacquelyn Estelle said.
One of the 12 heroes of the night Angel Hoodye, an alumnus, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist, Life Coach and author, said she was honored to be selected.
“It’s a wonderful honor because this school has given so much to me and to be able as an African American, Black woman to come back and to be honored in such a way and the community to recognize that, and the university it’s a wonderful experience. I’m happy; my hope is to inspire others to do great things for future generations,” Hoodye said.