Dr. Johari M. Amini-Hudson, one of the founders of Third World Press and the Institute of Positive Education, has passed away.
Amini-Hudson died on Dec. 12 of unknown causes, but her passing was announced this week by Third World Press co-founder Haki R. Madhubuti and his wife, Carol D. Lee.
“Our dear sister, Dr. Johari M. Amini-Hudson, made her transition on Dec. 12, 2023.
Johari is a founder of Third World Press (est. 1967) and the Institute of Positive Education (est. 1969). Johari was a gifted poet and contributor to the Black Arts Movement, especially in Chicago,” said Madhubuti and Lee in a statement.
Dr. Amini-Hudson was revered for her work as a poet, essayist and short story writer, along with her pivotal contributions to the Black Arts Movement and the groundbreaking Organization of Black American Culture, a collective of Black writers, artists, educators, historians, activists and scholars formed by Hoyt W. Fuller.
She would convey what it’s like being a Black woman through her work.
The legendary Gwendolyn Brooks once praised her poetry for understanding the “rubble and mire of society” and then conveying that understanding to others.
“What is remarkable about Poet Amini is that she has the energy to grow against the odds and that she hasn’t given up one ounce of femininity to develop as far as she has,” Amus Mor wrote for The Chicago Defender in April 1972.
The Defender article described her poetry as being “distinguished by the delicate and formal language that pictures the complex world of a sister pressured in a colonialist structure, not knocking anyone but struggling to remain cool and, above all, love her man.”
Dr. Amini-Hudson’s work included “Images in Black” (1967), “Black Essence” (1968), and “Let’s Go Somewhere” (1970). She also wrote for Black World and Black Books Bulletin and published the broadside “A Hip Tale in the Death Style.”
She also was the founder and editor of Black Books Bulletin.
However, Dr. Amini-Hudson’s love for her people was only matched by her concern for their health and wellbeing, which led her to return to college to become a chiropractor.
“For Amini, being a chiropractor as well as a writer is a necessary asset for helping African Americans,” states an Oxford Reference entry about her life.
Dr. Johari M. Amini-Hudson was born Jewel Christine McLawler on Jan. 13, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to William and Alma (Bazel) McLawler. According to Oxford Reference, Johari Amini adopted her name after a transformative experience with Haki R. Madhubuti (formerly Don L. Lee) as a thirty-two-year-old freshman at Wilson Junior College. In Swahili, Johari translates to “Jewel,” and Amini signifies “honesty and fidelity” — values she aspired to live by throughout her life.
A celebration of Dr. Amini-Hudson’s life will be held this Saturday, Jan. 6, from Noon to 4 p.m. at the Betty Shabazz International Charter School on 7823 S. Ellis Ave in Chicago.
Those who want to attend her memorial service are encouraged to submit and RSVP to [email protected] to confirm attendance. All attendees must wear a mask.
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