Diaspora Star | Adefolakunmi Adenugba : Shaping the Future of Black Contemporary Art

Adefolakunmi "Fola" Adenugba is an influential figure in the global art world and a dynamic force behind ISE-DA, an art advisory that champions the cultural stewardship of Black contemporary art. Fola’s unique background, which spans the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the United States, has allowed her to bridge multiple cultural and business landscapes. She founded ISE-DA to address the gap in support for Black art collectors, aiming to build sustained access for Black communities to artwork by Black artists across the globe.

Her academic journey began with a deep engagement with art history and business. Fola graduated with a Master of Arts in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Strategy & Consulting from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Additionally, she studied Art History, giving her a well-rounded foundation in both the practical and cultural elements of the art market.

Before founding ISE-DA, Fola honed her skills at prominent institutions such as the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She also worked in consulting and with Meta (formerly Facebook) on their Open Arts team in New York. These diverse experiences shaped her unique approach to art advisory, which blends business strategy with cultural awareness.

Fola’s work has garnered widespread recognition, including being named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 Art & Style list for 2024. This accolade highlights her efforts to cultivate new Black art collectors and support Black artists, expanding the reach and impact of Black contemporary art on the global stage.

Fola’s mission with ISE-DA goes beyond art advisory. She is passionate about reimagining the art ecosystem, especially for Black communities. Her initiatives, including the development of a New Collectors’ Program, are designed to dismantle the barriers to art collecting and foster a deeper understanding of Black art. Through partnerships, exhibitions, and panels, Fola actively promotes the integration of Black perspectives in art, emphasizing the historical and present-day significance of Black art in shaping cultural identities.

One of the core values of ISE-DA is cultural reimagination, the idea of engaging with art through a lens that highlights its social and cultural importance. Fola and her team at ISE-DA aim to explore innovative ways of connecting Black professionals and new art collectors with artists and galleries, both in the United States and globally.

Fola’s achievements also include being a prominent speaker on panels that explore the intersections of Black art, culture, and business, and she has served as a cultural partner for Carnegie Hall’s Afrofuturism festival. Additionally, Fola's work was featured in a PBS documentary on Afrofuturism, underscoring her leadership role in bringing Black cultural narratives to the forefront.

As a trailblazer in the art world, Fola’s influence continues to grow, with ISE-DA providing much-needed guidance to new collectors and expanding the global market for African and Black artists.