Search | Menu Dzigbodi’s Vision
Dzigbodi Akyea was a long-time advisor at Madison College. Her colleagues remember her as a community icon, a leader, a mother, a true professional and friend.
Before COVID, Dzigbodi had shared a vision with her friends in the Black Women’s Affinity Group (BWAG) at Madison College. She wanted to create an art exhibit that would honor Black women artists.
Sadly, she passed away in 2021. Her friends in BWAG decided to honor her memory by turning Dzigbodi’s vision into reality. They created the wildly successful “Honoring the Black Woman” art exhibit in the Madison College Gallery, which opened in February 2022, in line with Black History Month. Her colleagues in advising created a scholarship. Visitors of the gallery show were asked to make a donation in her honor and/or to support the artists in the show.
Honoring a Friend
Her friend and colleague Jodie Pope Williams reflects on the event and Dzigbodi’s legacy:
I’ve known Dzigbodi since I was 18 years old. When I started working for the college, I was relieved to see a familiar face in Dzigbodi. She had a calming presence. She was welcoming. I loved her laugh and I respected her greatly. She loved the College, she centered our students, and they knew it. She was a living example of our mission.
The executive committee of BWAG took on this gallery show and none of us had ever done anything like this. Nor did we ever imagine the response.
We were simply honoring our colleague, her vision and local artists. We were touched with the outpouring of love and support for Dzigbodi’s scholarship. The opening reception was well attended with over 100 attendees, including most of the artists.
The gallery show was to honor Dzigbodi. Those who knew and loved her came to celebrate her. Additionally, we invited the Madison College community, including our students, faculty and staff.
It was our intention to center the artists as well, so they invited their communities too. It was a true community event!
The executive committee of BWAG plans to host an annual art show to carry the vision of the inaugural event into 2023 and beyond. We are excited to invite our community, students, faculty and staff to celebrate the vision of Dzigbodi!
