Although it may seem counterintuitive, some of the most poignant examples of Black history lay in our youth and their efforts to honor the spaces pioneered by their mentors and ancestors. As young as they may be, their fight is centuries old and should hold equal weight.
In the spirit of commemorating Black history, join me in a conversation with the student leaders of BAAD (Black Artists and Designers), an organization dedicated to amplifying Black joy and creativity at RISD.
Let’s Meet the BAAD Board:
Nick (he/they/she): Senior, Illustration – President
Fun fact: I play an unhealthy amount of dress to impress.
Favorite thing about BAAD: Seeing people feel included and empowered!
Zohar (she/her): Junior, Industrial Design – Vice President
Fun fact: I collect Sonny Angel Dolls.
Fav thing about BAAD: The amazing community I feel at every event!
Nadine (she/her): Junior, Architecture – Treasurer
Fun fact: I’m a huge fan of Twilight!
Fav thing about BAAD: Having fun and being in such a great environment!
King (he/him): Sophomore, Architecture – Primary Contact
Fun fact: I’m in love with Ukulele and Sneakers.
Fav thing about BAAD: The organic connections and quality time that we spend together
Jenna (any pronouns): Sophomore, Industrial Design – Promotion Team
Fun fact: I’m a huge gardening nerd.
Fav thing about BAAD: How people find community and inspire insightful discussions
Cheyne Ali (he/him): Senior, FAV (Film, Animation, and Video) – Promotion Team
Fun fact: I created my own comic book series.
Fav thing about BAAD: How it embraces and shares different cultural experiences through its casual activities
Question: How did BAAD get started? Who was the founder and how has it grown and evolved since then?
Answer: BAAD (Black Artists and Designers) was founded by Patrice Payne in 2008 as a response to the need for stronger community and belonging for Black students and staff on campus, given their small percentage within the larger RISD environment. With the support of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Patrice organized meetings and gatherings to build a sense of solidarity.
Over time, BAAD has evolved into a prominent organization that supports Black students in fostering community, amplifying voices, and creating opportunities for connection and
professional growth. The group has expanded its activities, hosted events, and created lasting traditions such as Balls, collaborations with our friends at Mango Street, and our annual Black History Month Spotlight Show, featuring RISD BAAD members at Carr Haus.
Question: How would you describe BAAD’s mission? What kind of events/initiatives do you host to help you meet these goals and support your values?
Answer: BAAD is all about creating a space where Black students and allies feel safe, supported, and included. We want to celebrate the creative work of Black artists and designers while also pushing for more diversity and equity on campus. We do this by hosting all kinds of events, like the annual Balls we throw to celebrate Black Queer culture, our hair care days, and the guest speakers and workshops we bring in to teach and inspire students.
Question: What has been the most impactful memory of your time working with BAAD?
Answer (Zohar, Vice President): “The most impactful memory I have of my time working with BAAD was when the team and I were setting up for the first Mangoes Gone BAAD Ball in 2023. There was so much excitement between our group members and our partners at Mango Street because we had all done so much work to get this thing to happen. There had been months of pushback from administration and CSI, and it was finally coming together. It was surreal watching the room fill up and officially make the Ball our most successful event of the year, and since then it’s only grown.”
Question: What is your vision for the future of BAAD? What do you hope to accomplish while in your leadership role?
Answer (Zohar, Vice President): “One goal I have for BAAD is to set up some sort of Alumni Mentorship program that people can take with them as they go through RISD and hopefully make connections strong enough to last beyond. I am working on the logistics of that, but I feel like it could be extremely beneficial to students in more ways than one.”
Question: What has been your experience as a Black artist at RISD? Do you feel affirmed by your college community? If not, in what ways does the community need to evolve?
Answer: As Black artists at RISD, we’ve had mixed experiences. On one hand, we’ve found strength and solidarity within BAAD, where we can express ourselves freely and feel seen and supported. It’s a space that allows us to celebrate our identities and creative work, which has been incredibly affirming. However, outside of these spaces, RISD as a whole still has room to grow in terms of representation and inclusivity. Sometimes it feels like our experiences aren’t fully understood or prioritized by the larger community. We believe the school needs to take more intentional steps to make every Black student feel valued and supported, not just in isolated pockets but across all departments and interactions.
Question: What kind of legacy do you want to leave for future Black artists at RISD? What kind of legacy was left for you and how do you hope to pass it on?
Answer: We want to leave a legacy of empowerment, resilience, and community. Those who came before us laid the foundation for BAAD, creating a space where we could connect, celebrate, and advocate for ourselves as Black artists and designers. Their work has inspired us to push even further, strengthening BAAD’s presence on campus and expanding our initiatives to ensure no Black student feels alone or unsupported.
Our hope is to build lasting traditions and structures of support for future students to lean on, whether it’s through our annual events, mentorship opportunities, or just being a safe space for expression. We want future Black artists at RISD to feel inspired to carry this legacy forward, knowing they have a community behind them that’s rooting for their success and creativity.
Question: Are there any upcoming events or initiatives that you’d like to promote?
Answer: We have our Carr Haus Black History Month Show opening reception on February 17th, so keep an eye out for more info on that!
One event we’re really excited about is the Where Are All the Black People Convention in NYC, which happens annually. This year’s event was September 26th-27th, and it’s always an incredible opportunity for Black creatives to connect, network, and find inspiration. We typically open sign-ups for this event about two weeks beforehand, so definitely keep an eye out for next year’s announcement!
We also host our Mangoes Gone BAAD Ball, which is a huge celebration of Black and Queer culture. It’s one of our favorite traditions and usually happens twice a year. It’s a great chance to come together, celebrate our community, and just have a lot of fun. Don’t miss it!
