Indianapolis Poet, Activist Mari Evans Dies At Age 93

Indianapolis poet, author and activist Mari Evans died on Friday at the age of 93.  

Evans was one of the founders and a major figure in the Black Arts Movement, a group of poets, artists, musicians and writers that emerged in Harlem in 1965.  She wrote poetry, short stories, children’s books, and works for the stage. She was also editor of Black Women Writers (1950–1980): A Critical Evaluation, considered to be a groundbreaking work at that time.

You can see a recent interview with Evans on our website. In early 2016, WFYI producer Bob Williams interviewed Evans for the website Sky Blue Window. Kyle Long, host of Cultural Manifesto on 90.1 FM also interviewed Evans for NUVO and you can see that conversation here.