Funso Aiyejina, a key member of The Cropper Foundation family and lead editor for the upcoming 2024 climate justice anthology ‘Writing for Our Lives,’ passed on July 1, 2024. The anthology will now be published in his memory, and in recognition of his selfless commitment to The Foundation’s work across the region’s literary landscape.
Funso was one of the most steadfast compatriots of The Cropper Foundation, from before there was even a Foundation. When approached by John and Angela Cropper, grieving parents looking for a way to give back to the Caribbean in memory of their son, he co-conceptualised and led the Cropper Foundation Residential Workshop for Caribbean Writers for over 20 years, with Merle Hodge, until their retirement as co-facilitators in 2021. Over the more than two decades of his co-leadership of the Workshop, he led and mentored over 180 Caribbean writers, many of whom have gone on to leave their own marks on the regional and global literary landscape.
We remember him fondly for his sharp wit, fierce logic and generous spirit. He was unstinting in his honesty as he was in his praise. An enthusiastic supporter of many and mentor to many more, he showed up relentlessly, never complaining, but always with a chuckle and a smile.
On behalf of our Board of Trustees and the entire TCF team, we offer deepest condolences to the Aiyejina family at this incredibly difficult time. Along with you, we join the countless friends, colleagues, peers, students, writers and readers in T&T, across the region and still further across the Atlantic, in his country of birth Nigeria, in mourning the loss of our beloved Funso.
In the wake of his passing, there has been a change to the anthology’s editorial team. We are pleased to welcome Diana McCaulay, environmental activist and award-winning author as Co-Editor, who will work alongside Shivanee Ramlochan, Co-Editor of Writing for Our Lives.
