Sunday, January 12, 2014

Nkenge Abi, 61, Was An Advocate For African Literature and Culture

Nkenge Abi, 61, was an advocate for African literature and culture

7:55 PM, January 11, 2014

Nkenge Abi was the face of the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore in Detroit.

If you ever visited the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore on Livernois in Detroit, chances are you were warmly greeted by Nkenge Abi, always friendly and elegantly dressed in colorful African-inspired attire.

Ms. Abi was the face of the shrine of the center and the person many individuals and organizations turned to to help plan Afrocentric cultural events — whether Kwanzaa activities, weddings, naming ceremonies or more.

Ms. Abi died of heart failure Monday at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, said theRev. Mbiyu Chui, pastor of the shrine. She was 61.

An avid storyteller and cultural advocate, Ms. Abi worked at the bookstore for 35 years, the last 15 years as manager, Chui said. She also was bishop and associate pastor at the Shrine of the Black Madonna worship house on Linwood in Detroit.

“She was very passionate about African history and culture and transferring that knowledge via educational and cultural programs, especially to young people,” Chui said. “She was also a very talented singer, writer, actress and, in her younger years, a dancer.”

She was a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers and served as president of the Detroit Association of Black Storytellers for several years.

Njia Kia, who organizes cultural events and festivals in metro Detroit, said Ms. Abi regularly volunteered her services to present Kwanzaa activities and other programs for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

“She had such style and grace. Even when the museum could not afford to pay her, she stepped up to ensure we had wonderful Kwanzaa programs,” Kia said. “And she was a great businesswoman. She managed that bookstore thru lean times and prosperous times.”

Born Juanita Jones in Chicago, she took the name Nkenge Abi after she moved to Detroit in 1972 and joined the shrine.

A memorial service will be held 6 p.m. Monday at the worship house at 7625 Linwood Ave., Detroit.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Nkenge Abi’s name to the Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore, 13535 Livernois, Detroit.

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