Iyaba Inspires UB Students with Message of Creativity and Empowerment

By Gaby Irias

Iyaba Ibo Mandingo is a writer, painter, poet, actor, playwright, and, as he demonstrated at a recent Necessary Voices event, an inspirational speaker. Iyaba began his talk by playing along with the beautiful, rhythmic sounds of the phenomenal UB Steel, the University of Bridgeport’s steelpan ensemble.  Iyaba, who is originally from Antigua, shared his culture with pride.

Iyaba jams with UB Steel

During his talk, which occasionally erupted into moments of slam-like recitations of his poetry, Iyaba shared what I observed to be two of the biggest factors in his art: a love of family and a hatred of injustice. With a glow on his face, he recalled his youth in Antigua.  In one of his poems, he described it as “Joy of a third world noise, oblivious to the U.S.A.” This is where his love, passion, and recognition for art first bloomed after being able to witness firsthand the love his mother and grandparents shared for their home, and Iyaba would later learn that it was also where his ancestors expressed themselves through many forms of art as well.

One of Iyaba's paintings depicting a memory from his childhood in Antigua

Iyaba has successfully carried on his culture through art.  He has pursued, and continues to pursue, his dreams, and he has overcome obstacles and fulfilled opportunities in a way his family and ancestors were never given the chance to do. In his words, he "Might have pulled it off.”

Iyaba also reflected on life in the U.S.A., which, as he would learn firsthand, was a place of hardship and struggle. This is all shared through Iyaba’s art: in his paintings, stories, poems, plays, and more.

To say Iyaba stimulated the minds and hopes of students is an understatement.  Many students who attended Iyaba’s talk felt inspired and in awe after the event.

Iyaba with some of his sculptures

One of the most important takeaways from Iyaba’s speech is that language, words, and passion hold power. He reminded us, the twenty-first century generation, that we hold power within our words, no matter what form we use it in: the power to make change, share our voices and creativity, be argumentative, disagree, and break barriers.

Iyaba teaches us that you must find your passion and you must wear it and dive into it shamelessly.  He reminds us, “Do it even if no one supports you, even if no one agrees. Find it, nurture it, water it every day, care for it, move it to a bigger pot when it needs, even on the days it looks bad, keep nourishing and caring for it.”

Gaby Irias

I’m an English major. I was born and raised in Norwalk, CT, by my two Central American immigrant parents. I have two pets: one cat named Kitty and one dog named Canelo. I hope to one day become a high school English teacher, sharing my love for writing and reading with other students.