Ayanna Black
Poet Ayanna Black who performed at Words Aloud 5 died peacefully, on July 21, 2009, at her residence after a long illness, during which she was lovingly cared for by her partner Eckehard. She will be sadly missed by relatives and her friends in the art and medical communities. A Celebration of Ayanna's Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Cardinal Funeral Homes, 366 Bathurst St. (near Dundas). Cremation has taken place. Memorial donations may be made to Women's Art Resource Centre (W.A.R.C.). Online condolences may be made at cardinalfuneralhomes.com.
“Ayanna was not only a fine poet (her collections include Invoking the Spirits, and No Contingencies) and influential anthologist, but also a tireless and selfless promoter of other writers and musicians. She was a positive person, an activist for feminism and racial equality who rarely complained, but always made a difference." John Oughton
(from the League of Canadian Poets' newsletter)
