Hafsa Aden | Multi-disciplinary Artist
Meet Hafsa, a multimedia artist based in Portland whose passion for design and DIY projects, youth engagement, and community development has led her to Imagine Black. With a background in teen programming at institutions like the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, PSU, and SAMO, Hafsa has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between marginalized youth and the critical skills they need to succeed. She received her Bachelors at PSU in Business and Design Management and is currently completing an MFA in Collaborative Design at PNCA.
For Hafsa, art is more than just a form of expression. It is a powerful tool for transformation and empowerment. She believes that by providing young people with avenues to express themselves, experiment, and create, they can build confidence and strength while finding their place in the world. Hafsa has seen firsthand the impact of art in youth empowerment through her work.
For Hafsa, one of the most effective avenues for this empowerment is picture books. As an advocate for meaningful and racially diverse representation in children's literature, Hafsa's thesis explores the need for more picture books that showcase Black and brown people living a variety of lived experiences, where curiosity is encouraged, and imagination is ignited. By fostering a love of art and storytelling in our youth, Hafsa hopes to create a brighter future where Black and brown children can express themselves, experiment, and create.