Malina Simone Bacon, co-founder of the Indianapolis-based cultural development firm and creative agency “GANGGANG,” will be a featured speaker at Ball State University from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at Pruis Hall. This event is free and open to the public.
In her lecture, Ms. Bacon, a 2004 Ball State graduate, will explore the global caste system with her talk titled, “The World, According to Mali,” organized by the College of Fine Arts’ Inclusive Excellence Committee. Ms. Bacon is known for articulating early learnings on love-based systems as the common denominator of, and the greatest strategy toward, human sustainability. The main focus of GANGGANG is on changing the underrepresentation of creatives of color by producing more culture, beauty, and equity across cities.
“Our team at GANGGANG pushes boundaries and challenges mindsets with creative vision, shifting the way our audiences view each other and the world around us through unmatched design, ingenuity, and execution,” Ms. Bacon said. “Creative people of color continue to be underrepresented and underrecognized for their contribution to culture. But we aim to change this. We believe that culture brings humanity together—so we work every day to protect and promote it by supporting a city’s makers in new, equitable, revenue-generating ways.”
GANGGANG’s focus aligns with Ball State's efforts to provide students with opportunities to learn from experts in art-related fields and understand the importance of communities.
“We are honored to welcome Malina Simone Bacon back to campus for her second College of Fine Arts presentation,” said Dr. Seth Beckman, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “GANGGANG's innovative approach exemplifies how cultivating love-based systems can foster equity, creativity, and community engagement, offering a blueprint for a more sustainable future. Ms. Bacon's insights into this crucial intersection promise to inspire students to consider the profound impact of empathy and compassion in addressing global challenges, aligning with our college's mission to nurture socially responsible and creative leaders.”