Walking into the Student Hub became a step into history. The space was transformed by artifacts, pictures, and stories that brought the past to life. It invites students to move past the textbooks and experience the culture of a multitude of African countries. Viewers were encouraged to interact with the connection between Africa and America. Each step through the exhibition echoed the history of the resilience and determination that continues to exist within African-American communities.
From Feb. 23 to 26, Intercultural Student Initiatives (ISI) transformed the Hub (SSC 1138) into an immersive, interactive museum titled “From Africa to America.” The exhibit guided students through a powerful journey—one that traced the struggles, endurance and realities of slavery while honoring the resilience and cultural contributions of African and African American communities. .
ISI, a student-led organization advised by David Swope, is dedicated to creating meaningful, educational experiences on campus. Their mission is to “address the educational needs of our multicultural campus by fostering connection, celebration, and community,” stated on their website. This exhibit brought that mission to life by connecting Black culture and heritage directly to the College of DuPage (COD) community in a tangible and engaging way.
Jamiya Haynes, an ISI representative and COD student, shared the purpose behind the exhibit.
“For me, the most important aspect of the museum is to inform people who don’t know the history and the heritage of Africa and how it got to America,” Haynes said.
As students entered the space, they were introduced to various African countries, such as Angola and Ghana. Each station featured artifacts such as traditional clothing and common natural resources, alongside posterboards highlighting key facts about each country. These displays also explained how individuals from these regions were forcibly brought to America, grounding the exhibit in both cultural richness and historical truth.
Moving through the hallways, visitors encountered displays detailing events that shaped the African American experience. From the Transatlantic Slave Trade to the story of the White Lion ship, the exhibit emphasized the harsh realities of early enslavement and its lasting impact.
The experience concluded with a hallway highlighting everyday innovations and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Items such as potato chips and mailboxes were featured, reminding visitors of the often-overlooked influence African Americans have had on daily life in the United States.
Swope stated that he wants students and faculty to appreciate Black culture for the great impact it has had on modern-day culture, emphasizing the broader goal of the exhibit.
“I want people to get a better sense of all of what America is and what it has been back to the 1500s and how African-Americans have changed America with culture and perseverance,” he said. He also highlighted the future vision for the space:
Along with highlighting the future vision for the space, Swope stated the major goal of debuting with this interactive museum, wanting to see more cultures come forward.
“This is the debut of the museum experience in the Hub but not limited to Black culture,” Swope said. “I want students to come forward and tell their stories of their own culture and make COD a shared space for all.”
For more information about the ISI’s event on campus, check out their page on the COD website or contact Swope, [email protected], or Elizabeth Gómez de la Casa, [email protected].
