Amina Baraka facts for kids

Amina Baraka (born Sylvia Robinson; December 5, 1942) is an American poet, actress, writer, and activist. She is also a community organizer, singer, and dancer. Her poems often talk about fairness in society, family, and the lives of women. Her work has been featured in many poetry collections, like Unsettling America (1994).

Amina Baraka was an important artist during the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s. This movement was a time when African American artists created powerful works to express their culture and fight for civil rights.

Early Life and Roots

Amina Baraka was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. She grew up in Newark, New Jersey. In 1960, she finished high school at Newark Arts High School. After school, she became a dancer, actress, and poet. She joined the Black Arts Movement in Newark as an artist. She often performed at a place called the Cellar, which was part of the Jazz Arts Society.

Amina Baraka's mother and grandfather were important community leaders. They helped organize workers in Newark in the 1940s. Their home was a busy place where neighbors gathered for meetings and cultural events. Her grandparents were also blues musicians who played guitar, harmonica, and piano. Her grandmother was known for helping everyone in the neighborhood, like a community mother. She would prepare meals, provide clothes, and help care for children.

Amina Baraka's Career

Amina Baraka has done many important things throughout her career. She started the African Free School in Newark, New Jersey. This school was a special place for children in the community to learn about freedom and their heritage.

She was also one of the people who helped start the Newark Art Society in 1963. She wrote and performed dance plays set to music at a place known as the "Cellar." The Cellar was at 22 Shipman Street in Newark. It became a central spot for jazz music and art in the city. It was a group of artists, including Art Williams, Bill Harris, and Eddie Gladden. Many musicians and artists from Newark and other places performed there. Some famous names who visited included Sun Ra and Woody Shaw.

Amina Baraka and Nettie Rogers often hosted musical shows, dance performances, and poetry readings at the Cellar.

In 1974, Baraka organized a conference for African women. It was held at Rutgers University.

In 1978, Amina and her husband, Amiri Baraka, wrote a book of poems together called Songs for the Masses.

They also worked together to edit other books. In 1983 and 1987, they co-edited Confirmation: An Anthology of African American Women and The Music: Reflections on Jazz and Blues.

In 1992, Amina and Amiri Baraka started Kimako's Blues People. This was an art space that showed the work of artists from Newark.

Also in 1992, they co-edited another poetry book called 5 Boptrees.

In 1994, Amina Baraka's poetry was included in a collection titled Unsettling America: An Anthology of Contemporary Multicultural Poetry.

In 1995, Baraka took part in the Black Women's United Front in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1998, Baraka helped start the Black Radical Congress in Chicago, Illinois.

In 2001, her poetry was featured in a collection called Bum Rush the Page: A Def Poetry Jam.

In 2014, she published her own collection of poems called Blues in All Hues.

Creative Works

Amina Baraka has been involved in various creative projects:

Film Appearances

• 2016: Word Warriors III
• 2007: Keep it Clean
• 2006: The Pact
• 2002: Strange Fruit (a documentary film)

Stage Performances

She performed in stage plays written by Amiri Baraka, including A Black Mass, Slave Ship, Mad Heart, and Home on the Range.

Music Recordings

• 2017: CD The Red Microphone
• 2008: CD recording Variations in Time: A Jazz Perspective

Directing Work

She helped direct Blue Ark: The Word, which was a group that combined spoken word and music.

Personal Life

Amina Baraka married Walter Vernon Mason in 1960. At that time, she was known as Sylvia Robinson. They had two daughters named Vera and Wanda.

In 1966, Amina married Amiri Baraka. He was known as LeRoi Jones at that time. They had five children together. Their son, Ras Baraka, later became the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey.

Awards and Recognition

Amina Baraka has received several awards for her contributions:

• In 2015, she received a certificate of appreciation from the Black Nia F.O.R.C.E. (Freedom Organization for Racial and Cultural Enlightenment).
• Also in 2015, she was given a Lifetime Achievement award by the New York Friends of People's World newspaper.
• In 2022, Amina Baraka received an Unsung Hero award from 211 Community Impact. This is a non-profit group that was co-founded by Dupre' Kelly.