JAMAICA QUEENS LOST AN EXAMPLARY LEADER  BABA JOHN WATUSI BRANCH

By: C. Harrison/Thursday, January 13, 2014

Baba John Watusi

The Afrikan Poetry Theatre lost one of its own Baba John Watusi Branch and the community of Queens lost a beacon, a shining star, December 28, 2013, at 7:00 a. m., he was 70 years young. Mr. Watusi was not only a guiding light on two continents here in the U. S. and Africa but he served has leader to the Pan-African movement and was the driving force behind many youngsters here in the States as an aspirator.  He was the Art’s champion of the passage; gone too soon to join the Calvary in heaven cheering us on, on earth. A memorial wake took place at: the Afrikan Poetry Theatre, Saturday,  January 4, 2014, located at 176-03 Jamaica Avenue.  A memorial service was kept at: The Jamaica Performing Arts Center, Sunday,  January 5, 2014, at 153-10 Jamaica Avenue. And the funeral service took place at: The House of the Lord Church, in Brooklyn, Monday, January 6, 2014, at 311 Atlantic Avenue. At the Preforming Arts Center, where service began at 11:00 a.m. and ended much later than the 4:00 o’ clock curfew; speaker after speaker spoke eloquently of Mr. Watusi’s leadership skills, his bravery and how he had at one time or the other touched their lives personally and give of himself so that they may spread their wings. The speeches were touching moments. The service ended with drum playing by his grandchildren and others and by dance numbers to the beat of the motherland Africa. I am told Mr. Watusi wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Baba John Watusi, is survive by five children and 12 grandchildren. To learn more about Baba John Watusi please go to: http://www.wadupam.org or http://www.afrikanpoetrytheatre.org