This Black History Month, the Bengal
Newspaper sat down with some of the
leading cultural voices on campus to celebrate the diversity found within our community and highlight their artistic contributions at Idaho State University.
Stephen Aifegha, one of our very own
alumni, is well-known for his bright and
colorful artwork inspired by his Nigerian
background. His work has been exhibited
in the Art Source Gallery in Boise, and one
of his paintings was also featured as the
cover of the 2021 issue of ISU’s Black Rock
& Sage.
It is not unusual for artists to find their
calling at a young age and Aifega was no
different. “I’ve been making art since my
childhood… I was always good at drawing
since I was a kid, and I grew up around
people who [drew] and schools where we
were taken to art exhibitions and competitions which gave me a familiarity with the
art world at an early age,” said Aifega. He
cultivated a passion for art and has been
creating pieces ever since.
Aifega’s favorite form of art is mixed
media. He often uses newsprint and African fabrics in his art as a social commentary. “My work reflects my roots and
culture with my Pan-African approach,
which claims to encourage and strengthen
bonds of solidarity between all indigenous
and diaspora ethnic groups of African descent,” said Aifega. Diaspora refers to the
dispersion of any people from their original homeland.
During his time at ISU, Aifega participated in several projects to spread social
awareness. In “The Cost of Freedom” campaign, he raised awareness for human
trafficking and landed a scholarship from
the Jamshaid, Rahim, and Mannan Foundation. He was further honored for the
campaign at the annual Hometown Hero
Award Celebration. Aifega was also a part
of “Conversations that Clash,” a campaign
that discussed topics people often shy
away from, such as self-love and suicide.
His mixed-media art pieces have helped
spread social awareness about issues that
aren’t given enough attention, and he uses
his platform as an artist to share his culture with the world.
Dr. Henry Evans, the Associate Director
of the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI)
for Idaho State University, grew up in Pocatello and attended ISU for both his masters and doctorate degrees. He currently
works hard to spread cultural diversity
and inclusion through the Office of Equity and Inclusion, which recently hosted a
celebration in honor of Martin Luther King
Jr. Day. The celebration included speeches
on King’s life and how he made a lasting
impact. The OEI also collected donations
for assisted living centers in Pocatello to
honor King and his legacy. The OEI plans
to host more celebrations to honor other
individuals and minority groups, which
are always open to everyone and free to
attend.
“It’s important for us to take a moment
and consider how all of the experiences
from all of the groups in the United States
contribute to the whole. It’s important for
us to try to normalize this conversation
[of the black experience] as just a part of
American history,” said Evans.
Part of Evans’ efforts to normalize the
black experience include hosting “Crucial
Riddims,” a reggae podcast at ISU’s campus radio station, KISU, 91.1 FM. When
he was growing up one of his five sisters
introduced him to the genre, and he loved
the way the music delivered a message
through lyrics.
“In some ways, reggae kind of expanded my political consciousness because…
they were speaking to these international issues,” Evans said. In turn, he tries to
help others expand their own political
consciousness with the songs he chooses
to play on his podcast.
“I am never not aware of the fact that I’man African American man moving throughthis environment…and I know that theycould affect me or my loved ones,” said Evans. Increasing awareness about diverseperspectives is an important part of hiswork, as well as something of personal importance. He said part of his goal workingin the Office of Equity and Inclusions is toensure the experience of black people isheard.
“There is a need for folk who can translate their own experience,” Evans said.