By Jireh Deng
FROM: Los Angeles Times

Tonya Ingram, a beloved poet, mental health advocate, mainstay of Los Angeles’ close-knit performance poetry scene and self-described “lupus warrior,” who spoke candidly about her illness to thousands of online followers, died late last month at 31.

Her close friends and neighbors, Matthew “Cuban” Hernandez and Alyesha Wise, told The Times they had found Ingram unresponsive during a wellness check at her apartment around noon on Dec. 30 after not hearing from her for a few days. The poets announced her death in an Instagram post on New Year’s Day. “There aren’t many humans like Tonya, with a heart and energy like hers. And we’ll love our little sister forever,” read Hernandez’s post.

Ingram published three books of poetry, including “Growl and Snare” (2013), “Another Black Girl Miracle” (2017) and “How to Survive Today” (2019). Much of her writing, published in outlets ranging from Vice to BuzzFeed to the New York Times, circled themes of chronic illness, Black girlhood, love and mental health awareness.

Since her death, close friends and supporters have flocked to Instagram, sharing posts about the impact of her friendship and her poetry on their lives. With more than 20,000 followers, Ingram had shared her journey through illness alongside her poetry. Read Rest of Article Here