rip gloria naylor, black author and womanist visionary

As the years go on, we lose our most brilliant Black minds in the way that we lose many of our family members–quietly and unassuming, but their absence inspires reflection. For many Black women who write, Gloria Naylor was a beacon, giving courage to write themselves and their truths in novels, poetry, and all forms of writing. The “Mama Day” and “Women of Brewster Place” author centered and elevated Black women to the high art we’ve always known them to be, and her writing was a force to be reckoned with. Today, we honor her and send our sincerest condolences to her family.

By T. McLendon, AFROPUNK Contributor

Photo courtesy of AP