Debbie Allen & Phylicia Rashad’s Mother, Pulitzer-Nominated Poet Vivian Ayers Allen, Passes Away At 102

Debbie Allen & Phylicia Rashad’s Mother, Pulitzer-Nominated Poet Vivian Ayers Allen, Passes Away At 102

Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad are mourning the loss of their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, who passed away on August 18 at the age of 102.

Debbie honored her mother with a moving tribute, writing:

“Mommie, you have transformed into that cosmic bird Hawk that lives and breathes Freedom. We will follow your trail of golden dust and continue to climb higher.”

 

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Ayers Allen was an acclaimed poet, playwright, cultural activist, museum curator, and classicist. Her poetry collection Spice of Dawn (1952) earned her a Pulitzer Prize nomination in 1953. She was also the proud mother of four children.