Vivian Elizabeth Ayers Allen, the Pulitzer Prize–nominated poet, cultural activist, and mom of Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad, has died on the age of 102.
Late Wednesday evening, Debbie shared the information on Instagram in a submit that featured a photograph montage of her mom via the years set to Stevie Marvel’s “Golden Girl,” and with the textual content “Into the Everlasting Gentle Vivian Ayers.”
“Mommie you may have reworked into that cosmic chook Hawk that lives and breathes Freedom,” the Emmy-winning choreographer and actress wrote within the caption. “We are going to observe your path of golden mud and proceed to climb greater.”
She added, “We promise ‘to be true, be lovely, be free.”
Ayers Allen, born July 29, 1923, in Chester, South Carolina, was recognized for her fierce dedication and creative ardour that formed each her profession and her household. After marrying Andrew Arthur Allen Sr., she welcomed 4 kids—musician Andrew “Tex” Allen Jr., actress-choreographer Debbie Allen, banking government Hugh Allen, and actress Phylicia Rashad—every of whom has achieved nice success of their respective fields. Following their 1954 divorce, Ayers Allen continued to construct on a outstanding legacy as a Pulitzer Prize–nominated poet, playwright, literary agent, activist, and cultural curator.
In 1952, she wrote the poetry assortment “Spice of Dawns,” which earned her a Pulitzer Prize nomination. In 1957, she wrote “Hawk,” an allegorical poem set in outer house. In 1966, she grew to become the primary Black college member at Rice College in Houston.
“As a baby, it was wonderful to have my mom — and considerably disconcerting at instances, as a result of she wasn’t like different moms,” Rashad mentioned of their mom in a earlier interview with NPR. “Different moms didn’t rise up at 3 o’clock within the morning to write down. My mom did, day-after-day.”
Information of her loss of life comes simply two years after her household marked her milestone one centesimal birthday in August 2023 with a number of tributes and celebrations together with on the Brainerd Institute in Chester, South Carolina, which featured Rashad studying “Hawk;” and one other in Los Angeles on the Rhimes Performing Arts Middle the place Debbie, Angela Bassett, Jesse Williams, and Alexis Floyd honored her via performances and readings.
Whereas discussing her mom with NPR, Rashad added simply how impactful her legacy had been.
“It was my mom who gave us an actual appreciation for artwork and literature as residing issues, not simply as one thing held on the wall or positioned on the shelf — an appreciation for concepts and the ability of thought and human intention,” she mentioned. “My mom gave us lots — she gave us all the things.”
