Page 15 - BCALA Spring 2018

obituary reads in part, “...she danced with abandon, taught the most sacred virtues by example, and made an art of living.”
Taneya earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Spelman College (2002), where she became a Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., Eta Kappa chapter soror. She earned an MLS from Drexel University (2007) and was an ALA Spectrum Scholar and 2015 Library Journal Mover and Shaker. Following her graduation from Spelman, Taneya pursued journalism in various cities before relocating to Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn with her husband in 2006 and raised a family of four beautiful daughters, Nia Assata, Amina Asantawaa, Chinua Anasa and Anisa Ayinde.
Linda Ellis’s classic poem,
“The Dash”, speaks of the most important element of a person’s life is not when they are born or die, but what they do and how they live between those two dates. Taneya certainly filled those years as a true servant to her sorority, profession, community, and especially her family. During her undergraduate years, she was a founding member of Sociological and Anthropological Sisterhood: Scholar Activists
for Reshaping Attitudes at
Spelman College, (affectionately called “SASSAFRAS”). She was
a Spelman Independent Scholar (SIS) participating in the SIS Oral History Project, and her essay, “Bonding with Mrs. Mabel King”,
was published in “Their Memories Our Treasure, Conversations
with African American Women of Wisdom.” While pledging to be a Delta, number 5 in her line, she was considered the heart and soul of DI.V.IN.E. 35 and referred to as “Spesh” to many, a beloved link in their Delta family chain.
After Taneya and Yusef settled in his home community of Bed-Stuy, she began making her mark in her new profession. After her tenure
in an administrative capacity in
the executive office of Brooklyn Library Administration, she became a senior librarian and transferred
to the Macon Library - an original Carnegie Library built in 1907, not far from their residence. There, Taneya fused effective literacy practices with cultural celebration and community empowerment. She became known for making every moment a teachable moment. She galvanized a library fundraiser
for victims of the 2010 Haitian earthquake, emphasized the importance of global thinking and the connectivity of life experiences across the African Diaspora. She organized a community-based commemoration of Henrietta
Lack’s indelible contributions to the advancement of modern day science and promoted campaigns to raise more than $10,000 through grants and fundraising to buy books for the library.
The people of Brooklyn loved her. At her June 6th memorial, NYC
BCALA NEWS | Volume 45, Issue 2 | 15 council member Robert E. Cornegy,
Jr. referred to Taneya and Yusef as “family”, not just a local librarian and husband. He spoke of her passion and tenacity in pushing him to direct more city funds to
the Macon Library for improved collections, expanded programs and increased services.
Taneya took her Macon Library staff and customers, especially the children, worlds beyond Bed-Stuy through books and history. She was an integral part of the community and used effective outreach strategies to bring the library to the people by reaching out to families, local businesses, elected officials, schools and religious institutions and promoting the library and
its services to gain their trust, fellowship and support. She was affectionately known throughout the community as “Ms. T,” and helped to build a cultural collection at Macon Library: the Dionne Mack-Harvin African American Heritage Center.
Ms. T believed everyone had gifts they must use to uplift themselves and their community and especially loved working with the children at the library with lively and creative story hours, cultural children’s programs and encouraging reading with a dazzling smile. She had a knack for remembering the names of those she met only once. She
was a true people person, small in stature but a giant in service to her library and community.