A group of confident, cool and collected students, Black Artists and Designers (BAD) is a club making a fresh debut at ASU that is ready to take the campus — and arts scene — by storm.
BAD is an organization seeking to expose the natural talent of the African American community on campus. BAD hasn't always been the most active club on campus, but this spring it is looking to change that.
Industrial design junior and BAD president, Jamil Dawodu, may be new to the role of president but he said he plans to maintain the enthusiasm of a well-seasoned veteran in a way the club has never seen.
"Our goal is to create engaging yet educational events that can enlighten the student population and the surrounding community," he said.
Dawodu also said he hopes to combine his passion for drawing and designing into a fulfilling career that gives back to the community as a mentor to other aspiring black artists.
He said the biggest struggle for BAD and other ethnic or cultural clubs on campus is recruitment and retainment.
“ASU is a PWI (predominantly white institution), so we don’t see the same advantages that other organizations might see,” Dawodu said.
According to an enrollment summary by the Office of Institutional Analysis, there were only 3,663 African American students enrolled at ASU in fall 2013.
To counteract some of these issues, BAD has implemented social media platforms like Instagram to promote its events and has worked alongside ASU's Student and Cultural Engagement center. They intend to host key events throughout the semester that will reinvigorate the student population and develop an entirely new model of success for their club, especially with Black History Month quickly approaching.
Dawodu and Christen Green, family and human development senior and vice president of BAD, said they hope that through the club they can change the way people of color are viewed, not only in the arts community, but in society as a whole.
For Green, art form is more of a hobby and pastime rather than a career goal.
“Music is something that I love, so it brings me serenity ... but it doesn’t tie into my major at all," she said about singing and dancing. "I don’t think about anyone else when I’m doing it."
Green elaborated on how women of color in particular are often portrayed negatively in the media with television shows like "Basketball Wives" and "Love and Hip-Hop".
A diversity report conducted by USC’s Annenberg School of Media and Journalism, found that of the characters in the top 100 films in 2014, "73.1 percent were white, 4.9 percent were Hispanic/Latino, 12.5 percent were black." The study also found that "30.6 percent of Latinas and 29 percent of black women in movies with major roles are shown wearing sexualized clothing."
MonicaNia Jones, sports media studies sophomore and treasurer of BAD, is the reigning Miss Alpha Phi Alpha Black and Gold pageant title holder, as well as an experienced violinist of 15 years. She explained how performing has given her an edge in pageant competitions as well as career moves.
"I like the effect of being on stage and performing, it kind of showcases what you’re about," Jones said.
She mentioned how people of color are often underrepresented in various artistic outlets.
“I’ve had experiences where I’ve been the youngest and one of two African-Americans or the only African American,” Jones said.
The organization recognizes positive influences from the art scene, such as hip-hop rapper and producer J. Cole and ballet dancer Misty Copeland.
The biracial rapper, J.Cole, has become known for his philanthropy, dedicating songs to victims of police brutality and even making plans to turn his childhood home in North Carolina into a rent-free residence for single mothers. Copeland was the first African-American female principal dancer at the distinguished American Ballet Theatre.
Despite any obstacles that stand in the organization's way, through each individual's art, they find peace. The future is looking bright as BAD paves its path to success and creates a space of community for each to share their talent and experience with one another.
To find out more about BAD and keep up with news or events, follow the organization on Instagram or visit its website.
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