‘Boshielo’ by Giggs Kgole

The Cornell Institute of Public Affairs (CIPA) is proud to announce that alumni Alexandria J. Maloney MPA '19  and Jonathon Cummings MPA '18 have led the efforts to organize the 2021 celebration of the UN International Decade of People of African Descent - "The Struggle, The Beauty, The Hope" featuring a special presentation of the “Say My Name” Art Exhibition happening on March 25, 2021.

Alexandria J. Maloney MPA '18, Lead Event Organizer

This program would be the first-recorded attempt in history to gather UN and community leaders representing the total diaspora: African, African-American, Caribbean, South America, and global expat community for a gathering on the explicit topic of the global black community and social justice in light of this powerful exhibition as the centerpiece of the gathering this year. 

This historical precedence further emphasizes how the arts can play a pivotal and unique supporting role in the international system as a catalyst for connection in global affairs. “...It is our belief that this impartial gathering may help facilitate a more formal diplomatic and agenda-setting convenings of members of the total diaspora represented at the UN while also providing the “Say My Name” exhibition and opportunity for global exposure.” says Cummings. He has served as one of the event's partnership liaisons, connecting with numerous diplomatic missions, the private sector, and the high-end art collection community.

Jonathon Cummings MPA '18, Partnership Liaison

Confirmed Event Partners Include (Lead Organizer) ANCSSC; Signature African Art Gallery UK; South African High Commission in London; the Rotary Club of the United Nations; UN Department for Global Communications Civil Society Unit; UNESCO; Black Professionals in International Affairs; Create2030; United Nations Association of the United States of America, Bronx and Howard University Chapter; Millennium TV; The World Is Watching, and The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts. 

The event aims to bring together U.N. leaders and members of the African, African-American, Caribbean, and South American diaspora, and the global expat community, for a gathering on the topic of the global Black community and social justice. “It is our belief that this gathering may help facilitate a more formal convening of members of the total diaspora represented at the U.N. while also providing the ‘Say My Name’ exhibition an opportunity for global exposure,” said Alexandria Maloney, who has been appointed as Lead Event Organizer.

International visual artist Giggs Kgole is one artist whose work is featured in the showcase. Boshielo, a mixed media piece that explores “the never-ending beauty of Black resilience,” and “captures the essence of Black stories, through past and current day adversity.” Boshielo alludes to the gender-based violence taking place in South Africa and pays tribute to the #SayHerName campaign, which brings awareness to the names and stories of Black women and girls who have been victimized by racist police violence.

International Visual Artist, Giggs Kgole

Curated by London-based Signature African Art’s gallery director Khalil Akar and presented by DuVernay, the exhibition will take place in both London and Los Angeles. Inspired by DuVernay’s Netflix documentary 13th (2016), the exhibition will showcase works that portray the Black experience in the United States, United Kingdom, and Africa, highlighting the social and racial issues in each continent. Say My Name is dedicated to connecting African artists with the history of the diaspora in Europe and America. Each show features 13 African artists who have used their talents to create portrait paintings and sculptures to articulate the many layers of Black history and racial struggles on a global scale while paying tribute to prominent figures both past and present.

Alexandria Maloney says, “This is monumental for so many reasons and I don’t believe that it’s by coincidence that two leading voices of this historic United Nations program are a JCU student and alumna. I was always encouraged by my community and professors at JCU that I can be the one to make a difference. Whether it’s in my local community or at the global level. I always start by asking myself ‘how would I like to see the world? What do peace and security look like to me? What role can I play in making that a reality?’ As someone who’s got very little to lose, I see this as a prime opportunity to bring life to something that has never been done before. I’m humbled to make this vision a reality and I hope for more opportunities in the future to bring my [global diaspora] community together.”

Curated by London-based Signature African Art’s gallery director Khalil Akar and presented by DuVernay, the exhibition will take place in both London and Los Angeles. Inspired by DuVernay’s Netflix documentary 13th (2016), the exhibition will showcase works that portray the Black experience in the United States, United Kingdom, and Africa, highlighting the social and racial issues in each continent. Say My Name is dedicated to connecting African artists with the history of the diaspora in Europe and America. Each show features 13 African artists who have used their talents to create portrait paintings and sculptures to articulate the many layers of Black history and racial struggles on a global scale while paying tribute to prominent figures both past and present.

Alexandria Maloney says, “This is monumental for so many reasons and I don’t believe that it’s by coincidence that two leading voices of this historic United Nations program are a JCU student and alumna. I was always encouraged by my community and professors at JCU that I can be the one to make a difference. Whether it’s in my local community or at the global level. I always start by asking myself ‘how would I like to see the world? What do peace and security look like to me? What role can I play in making that a reality?’ As someone who’s got very little to lose, I see this as a prime opportunity to bring life to something that has never been done before. I’m humbled to make this vision a reality and I hope for more opportunities in the future to bring my [global diaspora] community together.”

Join us for the celebration of the UN International Decade of People of African Descent - "The Struggle, The Beauty, The Hope" featuring a special presentation of the “Say My Name” Art Exhibition. This engaging experience will include: reflections from members of the arts and diplomatic community, a conversation with Signature African Art UK Gallerist Khalil Akar and featured exhibition artists, and a brief audience Q&A. Register for the free event here.