In the midst of a world of chaos, some people still believe in peace. And in a world filled with divisions, color and class, some people still believe in unity.

This was the message conveyed to Iowa State students Wednesday night by Ladjamaya, a famous actress, director and singer.

A native of Michigan, Ladjamaya has made many travels to spread her message of peace, and audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Trinidad, Tobago and the former U.S.S.R. have listened.

Timothy Radloff, member of the Baha’i Race Unity Task Force and the Baha’i Student Association, said he met Ladjamaya when she visited Ames in April 1997. He said he was impressed with her ideas and wanted her to speak at ISU.

He said although the Committee on Lectures originally was hesitant, because it looked as if the presentation would benefit only the Baha’i organization, other groups also expressed interest in Ladjamaya.

“I thought it would be nice to have her speak here, and she told me that she wanted to come … Other organizations soon got involved; so the lecture committee was satisfied and gave their approval, [and] we were able to bring her here.”

“Even though it was a one-man initiative, it had the support of a lot of people,” Radloff added.

Her presentation included a variety of collages of poetry, prose, drama and song.

“The presentation depicts the African-American experience from slavery onwards, and it emphasizes racial harmony,” she said. “If I want to use my talent as an instrument of peace, I want to foster a feeling of love, understanding and humanity.”

Ladjamaya delivered several powerful orations and recitations of poetry and drama.

She also recited a poem and oration on the slavery experience, including Harriet Tubman’s struggle for freedom.

Ladjamaya said she believes a good way to get messages across to people is through the arts. “I believe that the arts in all of its greatest forms are one of God’s gift to humanity,” she said.

In her presentation, she emphasized the importance of racial and cultural unity.

“We should reach out to one another with a sense of kindness, gratitude, appreciation and a recognition of equality. We must bridge chasms that divide because of gender, culture and generation. We need to reach out and bridge all the chasms that divide us.”

“Diversity of the family is like music,” she added. “The music speaks to one’s soul.”

She also conveyed lessons about life and the numerous roles people play over time.

“Life is a test in addition to being a journey. It’s a test of our humanity to recognize the oneness of our family,” she said.

“You have the power and the ability,” she told the audience. “If there is a difference to be made, we are the ones to make it.”

Formerly a teacher of English-speaking drama, Ladjamaya started traveling and making presentations in 1986, when she worked in New York City at the United Nations office of the Baha’i Spiritual Assembly.