Born and raised in Iowa, she completed a BFA in painting at the University of Iowa before earning an MFA in painting from Hunter College.

Her artwork is included in the collections of The Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, The Amistad Center for Art and Culture, The University of Iowa Women’s Center, The En Foco Photography Collection, and The Museum of Modern Art-Franklin Furnace Artist Book Collection

In addition to her studio practice Kesha serves on the board of Tessera Art Collective, a non-profit organization that supports and elevates the work and practices of BIPOC women artists working in abstraction.

Kesha is also co-founder of Black Girl Basel – the only event during Miami Art Week intentionally created for Black women artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, activists, and cultural change-makers.

K12 Arts Learning Advisor, Clemmons Family Farm

I am a biracial artist and educator from VT with a lifelong passion for social justice and equity, and helping others. I use visual and literary arts to express, advocate and educate (for) myself and others.

Kiana Del (she/they) is a vocalist, radio host, and educator hailing from the valleys of Carrollton, KY. She uses music to tell the story of our complex humanity, and to foster a safe space for others to create freely without the barrier of judgment. She is the Engagement Manager for Music Education and 90.5 WUOL afternoon host at Louisville Public Media by day and can be found performing her own music with her band Kiana & the Sun Kings by night. She demonstrates her activism by dedicating her time to local arts non-profits who she believes are stirring up good trouble… This includes sitting on multiple boards including the Fund for the Arts, as the Director of Communications for the Louisville Jazz Initiative, and as the current Hadley Creatives Program Coordinator. Kiana strives to continue weaving the importance of community and connection into her music-making.

Discipline: Literature

Kit Julianto, Yooti, is an enrolled member of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation and a descendent of the Navajo Nation. He holds a BFA in Studio Arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts of Santa Fe, New Mexico (2010) and a MFA in Secondary Education from the Grand Canyon University (2018). He is an Art teacher for grades Pre-K to 12th at the Owyhee Combined School in the Elko County School District. Kit is a powwow singer and Native American Flute player, and works in different mediums and techniques that include pottery, drawing, sculpting, carving, and is mostly known for painting with acrylics. His works reflect upon Native American culture, music, tradition, and storytelling, through various mediums, vibrant colors, and texture.
I am very honored and humbled to receive the WESTAF BIPOC Award. I look forward to creating more art and sharing with my community and expanding my connections.
Thank you very much, this is a great blessing.
-Kit

Discipline: Multidisciplinary

Born to the Yeʼii Diné Táchiiʼnii clan. Born for Béésh bichʼaii clan. Always a bit out there, but never boring; Kris Pfeiffer is a dedicated musician, leader, artist and linguist who is passionate about a wide array of fields. First getting his taste and love of all things life has to offer as a child on the Navajo Nation, he accredits his grandmother and mother for igniting that passion of all things Diné. Basketry, culinary arts, music, language, he was never shy of setting his aspirations high and consistently was encouraged to seek a higher education, climb the ladder of success, seeking out knowledge to questions he had. He loves to draw with chalk pastels, play the piano, cook, and share his Navajo (Diné) language and culture with everyone. He is an accomplished hoop dancer and current student at Utah State University in Logan, Utah.

Discipline: Film

L Sam Zhang is the author and illustrator of the The First Chinese Festivals series of children’s books. Behind each festival lies a fantastic tale steeped in history and legends thousands of years old. She aims to make these stories available in English so more people can enjoy the festivities throughout the year in a meaningful way. These colorful books also help children better understand themselves and the world around them in our increasingly global environment.

Sam was born in Shanghai and grew up in Buffalo, NY. After getting a BS in Biology from Cornell and a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, she spent a decade on the West Coast doing branding and outreach for startups, research institutes, and nonprofits. Sam now lives in Michigan, and is the Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Chinese language and cultural experiences to youth from all backgrounds.