We celebrate the life and magic of Vivian Ayers Allen... the poet, playwright and cultural activist passed away on Tuesday at 102 years old.
She was known as MaTurk to her family, and her four children have continued her legacy of expanding the culture… jazz trumpeter Andrew Arthur “Tex” Allen, Jr., regional president of TD Bank Hugh Allen, actress & dancer Debbie Allen, and actress Phylicia Rashad.
She was born in Chester, South Carolina and was a member of the final graduating class of the historic Brainerd Institute, where her parents and her grandparents also attended. Later, daughter Phylicia purchased the 12-acre property where it once stood and Vivian became the founding director of the Brainerd Institute Heritage, with the aim of preserving the history of a school that helped shape her and commemorating the long struggle of Black Americans to provide their children with a good education.
Dr. Ayers Allen has been honored by the National Council of Negro Women and was celebrated at a ceremony last year as one of the Hidden Figures of the Apollo 11 Space Mission for her poem, “Hawk,” which explored the relationship between freedom and space flight.
& Remember to always celebrate your magic! xo