Author and artist-documentarian Aberjhani has penned a two-part essay on legendary educator and community advocate Dr. Patricia M. Stewart, who passed away at the age of 96 on December 28, 2025, in Savannah, Georgia (USA). Dr. Stewart’s legacy, the author has stated, is particularly crucial during this 2026 year of America250 observations.
The essay, titled Portrait of Dynamic Soul-Warrior Dr. Patricia M. Stewart, includes in the second part a new poem titled “Creating Ubuntu Corers in Time of Turmoil.” It is available to read for free on the Bright Skylark Literary Productions website at these links:
Part one of the essay recounts the author’s nearly three-decade friendship with Dr. Stewart beginning in the mid-1990s and going up to their celebration of the dedication of Susie King Taylor Square (the first in Savannah’s famous history district to be named after an African American or woman). The second part of the essay examines the concept of Ubuntu, which the author says he felt particularly appropriate in light of social and political tensions in America at this time.
“The word Ubuntu is most often translated from Southern African languages to English as meaning ‘I am because we are,’” said Aberjhani, “basically affirming the symbiotic relationship between individuals and communities. That was a major component of the personal philosophy Dr. Stewart expressed to me and I believe she would encourage ICE agents, as well as those protesting the tactics which led to deaths of poet Renee Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti, to think very deeply about that.”
Plans are underway to hold a memorial service celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Stewart.
Bright Skylark News Notes
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