“When a woman says yes, her Chi also says yes” — Ibo Proverb
Monben is an award-winning multi-media artist, writer, educator, and anthropologist in-training. She began her career as a painter in 2015, and has since completed over 30 art commissions & projects. Her work has been featured in displayed in Paul Vincent Studios, Seed Gallery, and at Columbia University.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in African and African American Studies from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and a Master of Arts in Anthropology and Education from Columbia University. Monben’s portfolio and resume are comprised of projects which bridge art, history, and storytelling; and, using art as a means of public education is the main focus of her work.
AWARDS + HONORS
Myers Foundation Art Commission Award, Gottesman Libraries, March 2022
Margaret Mead Scholarship, Teachers College – Columbia University, September 2021
Summa Cum Laude, Rutgers, the Sate University of New Jersey, May 2021
School of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Award, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, May 2021
W.A. Jean Pierre Award of Excellence, Dept. African American & African Studies @ Rutgers, May 2021
Eva R. Cohn Scholarship, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, September 2021
Guest Research Scholar, University of Delaware’s Anti-racism Initiative, June 2020
Ronald E. McNair Scholar, January 2020
Panelist, Mars-Wrigley’s “New Work in Newark” Conference, November 2019
Toast to a Queen Community Service Award, Black Organization of Students, March 2018
Education
M.A. Anthropology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
B.A. African and African American Studies, double minor in Psychology; Public and Non-Profit Administration, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey