Larissa Johnson-Akinremi - Her Legacy by Paula Robinson
"Art is Business" - Post from Paula Robinson- It is with sadness to learn of Larissa's passing 06/14/2021
Larissa Johnson-Akinremi
I loved that she would get on a plane, a train, or bus
to attend a music festival
she was a great DJ
and once DJ'd for us on aboard a double-decker trolley
from her portable amplified suitcase
in the Bud Billiken Parade
I loved how her friends were international
generational
from her young people at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club
to her seniors at Rosenwald Courts
and that she knew that giving time,
spending time is a gift
that would make you look forward to
wanting me, having more... until the next time
I loved how she embraced the magic of
children learning
discovering, and creating art.
teaching is an art form.
she showed young people that they are
makers and creators of their own dreams
the rain sticks, the dream pillows, the blinged
hand mirrors were her craft
I loved how she was a lifelong learner
that her enterprise was called "the social move."
the installations that she curated
the exhibits for Juneteenth
the underground RailRoad dioramas
the commemorations at the Great Migration Bridge,
and lakefront tribute for the Chicago's Red Summer
her outdoor sensory experiences with watermelon tastings
the bird walks in the park
I loved how she constantly recreated herself
with the color of the day
the earring and dress combinations
the hairstyle the adornment
the lips of blue, purple, and green
always of a kiss of mystic
body paint or henna
permission to be free
but only a small peace tattoo
at her collar bone
inked the deal
I loved how
everybody's birthday
was too important to miss
I loved how when she needs to see you
and too much time would pass
she would say, where are you
and come to you
she met folks where they were
she was curious and interested in
space and places that they were
occupying
she discovered your world
I loved that she had the fortitude for
a fight, if it must be had
how she could write you and read you
if need be
a new job was just a part of her journey
and her cover letters for a job application
were composed
you might hire her
but you would never employ all of her
nor should you expect to
and you might only understand that
during the exit interview
she knew who she was
I loved how she had a big family
a global son that she called her "Sun."
and a Husbae -- her love and comfort
bu also had room for her art family,
her music family, her work family,
her film family, her new project family
and her next family and now her
heavenly family
I loved Larissa
in our Bronzeville Family
she was our number one daughter
she was our girl.
