Madison College Celebrates Black Women with Annual Art Show

The 5th annual Dzigbodi Akyea Art Show highlights Black women's contributions and legacies.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The 5th annual Dzigbodi Akyea Art Show, titled 'She Carried Us: Legacies of Labor, Love, and Liberation,' debuted at the Madison College Gallery on February 5th. The show was created five years ago to honor Black women's contributions and in remembrance of Akyea, an advisor at Madison College for 17 years. The art show featured paintings, fiber arts, and intergenerational photos depicting Black women in all forms of labor, love, and liberation. Speakers at the event talked about 'what we carry' as Black women, and a scholarship was created in Akyea's honor for Black students pursuing a Liberal Arts degree.

Why it matters

The Dzigbodi Akyea Art Show provides a platform to celebrate and uplift the stories and experiences of Black women, honoring their legacies and contributions. In a time when issues of racial justice remain at the forefront, this annual event serves as an important community gathering to reflect on the past, present, and future of Black women.

The details

The art show featured a variety of artwork, including paintings of Black women in different forms of labor, love, and liberation, a fiber arts piece of Harriet Tubman, and intergenerational photos that told the story of Black women over generations. Speakers at the event, including Rhoda McKinney, the President of SOUL (Sisters of Unity and Leadership) Affinity Group, talked about the impact of events like the murder of George Floyd on the Black community and the importance of creating spaces for Black women to be authentic and find unity.

  • The 5th annual Dzigbodi Akyea Art Show debuted on February 5, 2026.
  • The art show was created five years ago to honor Black women's contributions.

The players

Dzigbodi Akyea

An advisor at Madison College for 17 years, in whose memory the annual art show was created.

Rhoda McKinney

The President of SOUL (Sisters of Unity and Leadership) Affinity Group and the Inclusion Coordinator at Madison College.

Morgan Smith

The Deputy Registrar at Madison College.

Zakiya Catlin

An outpatient therapist with Anesis.

Cory Sims

The Associate Dean of the School of Business and Applied Arts at Madison College.

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What they’re saying

“To come into a space authentically and be myself is a large reason why the art shows were created.”

— Rhoda McKinney, President of SOUL (Sisters of Unity and Leadership) Affinity Group (theonlineclarion.com)

“Walking into a room of Black women who like you creates unity and identification.”

— Rhoda McKinney, President of SOUL (Sisters of Unity and Leadership) Affinity Group (theonlineclarion.com)

“We looked at the Black men in our lives, we all knew George Floyd. It affected us as Black women and brought up trauma and PTSD as Black people.”

— Rhoda McKinney, President of SOUL (Sisters of Unity and Leadership) Affinity Group (theonlineclarion.com)

“The theme tells stories of where Black women rise.”

— Morgan Smith, Deputy Registrar, Madison College (theonlineclarion.com)

“Art and liberation have always worked together.”

— Cory Sims, Associate Dean of the School of Business and Applied Arts, Madison College (theonlineclarion.com)

What’s next

A scholarship was created in Dzigbodi Akyea's honor, and donations made in her name will be dedicated to Black students pursuing a Liberal Arts degree at Madison College.

The takeaway

The Dzigbodi Akyea Art Show provides a powerful platform to celebrate the stories, contributions, and legacies of Black women, fostering unity, empowerment, and a deeper understanding of the Black experience.