Imani Humphrey, 84, of Detroit, Michigan, died on March 8, 2016 at Beaumont Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The influential Detroit activist-educator affectionately known as Mama Imani taught in Detroit Public Schools, at Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University before founding the Aisha Shule and W.E.B. DuBois Academy.
A leading scholar for over 40 years, she focused on the education of African American children and in training a new generation of educators. Mama Imani was born March 8, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Howard and Ruth Holly. The third of five sisters, she graduated from Inkster High School, University of Detroit and Wayne State University.
She married the late Richard Humphrey Jr. and is survived by sons C. Christopher Humphrey and Michael Pili Simanga and daughters Holly Hasina Murphy and Leesa Vivian Humphrey (Richards); daughter-in law Napolita Hooper-Simanga and son-in law Deamo Murphy. She also leaves to cherish her memory 14 grandchildren: Tomas Omowale Miller, Mosi Humphrey, Pili Humphrey, Shanique Worthy, Aziza Humphrey, Saidah Murphy, Tahirah Murphy, Kafi Humphrey, Adisa Murphy, Chinyelu Humphrey, Malik Simanga, Demarko Hooper, Ajani Murphy and Sojourner Simanga; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of the life of Mama Imani Humphrey will be held March 19, 2016 11:00 am at Fellowship Chapel, 7707 W. Outer Drive, Detroit, Michigan.
