The Hudson, the Mississippi, the Congo  and the Nile were major waterways  used in the transport of captive Africans throughout the Atlantic. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes offers themes that resonate deeply with contemporary African artists living in a de-colonized continent, and on the lands their forebears were brought to against their will.  These artists draw on their rich heritage, reflect on their resilience, and engage with the complex legacies of colonialism while navigating contemporary social, political, and environmental issues. Embodying a dynamic blend of historical continuity, cultural fusion, and innovative expression, they contribute to a vibrant and evolving canon that honors the past while engaging with the present and future. In this exhibition the artists collectively express matters  that are central to the African diaspora experience. Like Langston Hughes, their art explores the depth and endurance of identity, history, culture, and contemporary life issues to create powerful, multifaceted expressions.

Fungisai Musoni-Chikede, Ph.D.

Fungisai  Musoni-Chikede, Ph.D. is a transnational and interdisciplinary scholar with a research focus that sits at the intersection of African, Transnational, Comparative Education, and International Relations studies. Her specializations are Global North Philanthropy and Global South higher education, the Cold War, Decolonization and Independence in Africa, International Development, and US-Africa relations since WW2. At Marist, she teaches African history courses, including African Civilizations Up to 1870, Africa Since 1800/Modern Africa, Introduction to the African Diaspora, and US-Africa relations since WW2. At Marist, she teaches African history courses, including African Civilizations Up to 1870, Africa Since 1800/Modern Africa, Introduction to the African Diaspora, and US-Africa relations since WW2. 

ART ALL THE TIME!
Exterior Exhibit