Page 14 - BCALA Spring 2018

14 | BCALA NEWS | Volume 45, Issue 2
Celebrating the Life of
a Liberation Librarian
Taneya Denyelle Gethers
Muhammad (1980-2017)
By Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako)
“I started my career as a journalist but never lost my childhood desire to be a teacher, dancer and an artist. Growing up I envisioned a space where I could combine these loves with transformative social service-and I do that as a librarian. Malcolm X said the library was his alma mater, and still that resonates today. It’s truly the “People’s University.”
The library profession and New York City’s Bedford- Stuyvesant community lost a glowing comet in the untimely passing of senior librarian Taneya Denyelle Gethers Muhammad (Nov. 2, 1980-Nov. 14, 2017). Only 37 years old, this dynamic young woman inspired and served residents of all ages at the Macon Library of the Brooklyn Public Library, but she focused on the youth. Born and raised in Los Angeles, educated at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., Taneya brought light to her duties and passion, compassion and empathy to the children, tweens, teens and adults of all ages she loved and eagerly served. Her husband, Yusef said, “Taneya came from Los Angeles, but had a Bed-Stuy swagger that endeared her to all.”
In a YouTube video interview, Taneya said, “Since childhood, I wanted to be a dancer, teacher and an artist. As a librarian, I get to be all of these.” Her