Support Akbar's Journey into Endless Opportunities

Update: My father, Akbar Imhotep, is still dreaming about making it to NABS to receive to Zora Neale Hurston Award. But his dreams are currently exceeding his body's capacity. He was hospitalized with his 6th case of aspiration pneumonia on Oct 6th and received around the clock care from an expert team of doctors and nurses in the ICU for two weeks before being transferred to Hospice Care. The word Hospice immediately brings to mind 'end-of-life' but as my father told his doctor this yesterday afternoon, we as a family have experienced it as a space of resurrection. In his own words he entered hospice with the perception that western medicine had "exhausted all possibilities" and yesterday morning spirit told him he was moving to a space of "endless oppotunities." He will be moving to home hospice care on 10/28/2022. And while our hearts and minds still want to get him (or his representatives) to the festival in November, we are repurposing this gofundme as a space to receive donations to support his hospice care.

with care,

Ra Malika Imhotep (the youngest of Akbar's 3 children)

P.S. You can read his longer biographical statement and ask below.

My name is Akbar Imhotep. I’m a storyteller, poet and toastmaster. After a short life in the theater, I found my calling as a storyteller & puppeteer. For almost 25 years I have been a member of the Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia (KSG) (Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia) and the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. (NABS) (National Association of Black Storytellers ) The KSG is an affiliate of NABS charter in 1995.

After surviving cancer in 2012 and five cases of pneumonia, 2015-2019. On September 4, 2022, Mama Linda Goss, a NABS co-founder called to let me know that I would be a recipient of this year’s Zora Neale Hurston Award. This award is given for long-term commitment and contribution to the preservation and perpetuation of African American folklore.

I currently serve as Vice-President of the KSG and served as President from 2000 - 2010. I was a NABS Board Member, from 2006-2014 and served as president of NABS, from 2010-2012. NABS will celebrate its 40th anniversary in Baltimore, Maryland, from November 9-13, 2022.

Support is needed for registration, travel expenses, lodging and meals for the four days I need to be in attendance. Your support will enable me to attend the 40th Anniversary Festival & Conference to receive the award in person, assist with the installation of the incoming president and continue learning and contributing to the preservation and perpetuation of African American folklore. Thanks in advance for your support and kindness.