Light a candle for me
Say a prayer
Whisper me into the wind
Lay a love wreath on the alter of your heart
And remember my good days amongst you. [1]
In this season of reflection and gratitude, I celebrate my mother, the late Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore—a woman whose words healed, whose artistry ignited movements, and whose love shaped generations.
A foundational voice in the Black Arts Movement, a fearless founding member of the Black Artists Group (BAG), and a poet of extraordinary depth and fire, my mother was more than a literary force—she was a vessel of healing, resistance, and truth. Her poetry was her protest as she marched with Percy Green in the Poor People’s Campaign. Her voice, her offering. Her legacy continues to echo in classrooms, on stages, in sacred spaces, and in the hearts of those she reached with her fierce love and unwavering commitment to community.
Significantly, Shirley made her transition on Mother’s Day—May 12, 2019. I have long carried the weight and wonder of that symbolism. As a late-in-life mother myself, I welcomed my daughter, Bella, when I was 43. And yet, in that divine timing, I was blessed with five precious years of watching my daughter, Bella, walk hand-in-hand with her first best friend—her Nana.
Shirley poured stories, poems, and ancestral wisdom into Bella just as she poured into me, my sisters, and her other grandchildren. Through that sacred bond, Bella learned to love words, to carry pride in her roots, and to speak her truth. I remember her joy in telling her classmates that her Nana was a poet laureate—beaming with pride as she spoke of Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore.
My mother taught me that motherhood is not about perfection. It is about being present. Vulnerability. Honoring our lineage. Passing on what was passed down. Through her, I learned that motherhood can be messy, bold, poetic, and full of grace. She mothered in her own rhythm—and raised daughters who now mother in theirs.
This May, I pay tribute to Shirley’s legacy not only as a poet but also as a matriarch, a champion for freedom, a protector of culture, and a mentor to countless individuals. She had faith in the strength of women, the necessity of words, and the significance of storytelling as a means of liberation. She was courageous in her expression and gentle in her essence. She equipped me with the tools—and the duty—to continue her legacy.
Feel my love blot-out your fear
So you will know that I am to you even more near
Take up your lute
And sing me
Sing me / all of me
I too, am you……… [2]
As Executive Director of the Shirley Bradley LeFlore Foundation, I do so with great pride and purpose. I want young poets to know her name, to speak her name. I want the world to feel the ripple of her impact.
I recall our quiet moments, particularly during the last year of her life, when she would often tell me, “When I grow up, I want to be just like you.” Each time, I was left speechless and humbled, with tears in my eyes. I didn’t quite grasp why she said that, as it felt like a sentiment that should have been reversed. However, as Bella has grown older, I now understand. I witness her development as she teaches me about technology and shares beauty tips. I admire her articulate speech, her rich vocabulary, and the way she crafts original poems and stories. Even when she offers me advice, I’m amazed by her wise demeanor. I can feel my mother’s spirit in her, and it fills me with pride. I see the legacy reflected in her eyes. So, Mama, thank you for laying the groundwork for our family as we continue to grow and for giving us the strength to build this foundation in your name.
A children calling poem to smother the anger of their nowness
Soak-up the sunshine of their newness feel the power
Of their dreams / their vision & see all the good inside / sing
A lovesong for their tomorrows unborn
And be healed [3]
Thank you for the poems, the prayers, the power.
Thank you for raising me to grow into the woman, the mother, that I am.
We celebrate you. We remember you. We honor you—now and always.
[1] This excerpt of “Breathprints ” is from Brassbones & Rainbows (2013) by Shirley Bradley LeFlore.
[2] This excerpt of “For Minnie Alberta Parron (1916 – 1991)” is from Brassbones & Rainbows (2013) by Shirley Bradley LeFlore.
[3] This excerpt of “The Poem” is from Brassbones & Rainbows (2013) by Shirley Bradley LeFlore.
