We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our colleague, Janisha R. Gabriel. An artist, designer, theologian, strategist, life-long activist and organizer, over the past year, Janisha took on the chronic technical issues that had been affecting FOR’s website. She completely rebuilt and relaunched our site and served as our webmaster all while battling cancer.

Janisha was involved in numerous social justice initiatives, centering on efforts to advance Black liberation, gender justice, and LGBTQIA equality.  As a founding member of the Black Lives Matter Global Network, Janisha provided the organization with communications and technology support through website design and strategy consulting.  Though no longer a member of BLM, she continued to organize internationally around issues impacting people of African descent.

Janisha was a board member of The Black Feminist Project, a South Bronx based non-profit fighting to bring healthy food to low income residents.  She was also a member of Columbia University’s Center on African American Religion, Sexual Politics, and Social Justice (CARSS), an initiative of the Institute for Research on African American Studies.  She was a member of Afro Innova, an Afro-Colombian based collective of leaders and organizations working to establish visibility and empowerment for African communities globally.

Passionate about ending violence against Black women and girls, Janisha also founded and served as Executive Director for the Gather Together Project, that documented Black women and girls who have lost their lives to state or intra-racial violence.  Through the Gather Together Project she engaged Black communities in conversations and initiatives to build power and safety for all people of African descent.

Professionally, Janisha did consulting work and workshops with various organizations and activists around the world. She was the owner and principal at Haki Creatives, a boutique creative agency providing media, identity, and digital support for social change-makers.  With a sound understanding that branding makes the world go round, she realized that brilliant social changemakers are often unable to compete in today’s image-driven economy. Janisha’s work established equity through good design, strategy, and smart communications.

FOR was blessed to be able to share in and benefit from her enormous talent and passion for justice. Our condolences go out to her family and loved ones. Friends and family who would like additional information on ways to support her legacy and receive updates on the planning of her celebration of life are encouraged to reach out to remembering@janishargabriel.com