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Tonya Ingram

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Tonya Ingram
BornSeptember 1, 1991
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2022(2022-12-30) (aged 31)[1]
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery[1]
OccupationPoet
Years active2011–2022
Notable worksHow To Survive Today[2]
Notable awardsNew York Knicks Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship[3]
Website
web.archive.org/web/20230117070315/http://tonyaingram.com//

Tonya Ingram (September 1, 1991 – December 30, 2022) was an American poet, author, speaker, disability activist, and mental health advocate.[4]

Ingram died on December 30, 2022, waiting for a kidney transplant.[1][5]

Life

[edit]

Education

[edit]

Ingram was a graduate of New York University and Otis College of Art and Design.[1]

While at NYU, Ingram performed on the school's poetry slam team, which won the 2013 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. Ingram founded the team alongside Eric Silver, Matthew Sparacino, and Safia Elhillo. They were coached by Mahogany Browne.[6][7]

Performance and poetry

[edit]
Nuyorican Poets Cafe, which Ingram frequently performed at

Ingram's writing was often about Black feminism and living with Lupus and kidney failure.[8][9][10]

Ingram performed at the Nuyorican Poets Café, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Lexus Verses and Flow's variety show.[11][12][13]

Her work was featured in the 2021 Madewell "What Are You Made Of? Creatives of Color" campaign,[14] Hallmark's Mahogany Writing Community and card brand,[15] MIGA Swimwear,[16] The New York Times,[17] To Write Love on Her Arms,[18] and Hello Giggles.[19]

TWLOHA, Mental Health & Recovery organization Ingram wrote for

Ingram was the curator of Poetry in Color Live! at Los Angeles County Museum of Art.[1]

Journalism and activism

[edit]

In addition to poetry, Ingram wrote and contributed to high-profile journalistic pieces on wasted organ donations, the dysfunction of the American healthcare system, the impact of COVID-19 on disabled people, and other disability rights issues.[9][20][21] In 2021, she testified as a patient on the kidney transplant waitlist on a House of Representatives hearing regarding the organ transplant system.[1][22][23]

Surfing

[edit]

In 2020, Ingram learned to surf through Color the Water and AdventureCrew, BIPOC surfing communities, and attended a surf retreat in Nicaragua.[24][1]

Search for a kidney

[edit]

Efforts and advocacy

[edit]

In 2019, at age 27, Ingram posted on Instagram looking for a living person willing to become her kidney donor. Utilizing journalism, Ingram and writer and organ-recipient, Kendall Ciesemier, asked the government to hold the organizations involved in OPS accountable, believing this would result in Ingram receiving a kidney. Ingram wrote an opinion essay; appeared in a government video; wrote letters to members of the Biden administration, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (C.M.S.) administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and the head of the Health Resources and Services Administration, Carole Johnson; worked with members of Congress, including Representative Katie Porter; and even testified before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy in May 2021.[9][25][26][27]

Aftermath

[edit]

Ingram told the House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy that she would die without the federal government's urgent action. A year and a half later, on December 30, 2022, Ingram died of complications from kidney failure.[25]

In 2022, Ingram was one of 12,000 people on waiting lists who died or became too sick to receive a transplant.[28]

Ingram's friend and fellow journalist, Kendall Ciesemier, commented on future potential for intervention in the organ procurement system by the American government:[25][29]

"The solution already has bipartisan support and would be both cost-saving and lifesaving. The C.M.S. has projected that holding these government contractors accountable would save more than 7,000 lives a year — translating to $1 billion saved in forgone dialysis. If the 28,000 organs that go to waste each year were recovered and transplanted, the wait for livers and lungs could disappear within just two years...

Sometimes I wonder if the problem doesn't get solved because so many of the heroic advocates who square off against executives and their lobbyists have disappeared in sickness or in death. As someone born into illness, I've seen many of my young, sick friends die. It's always horrible, but Tonya's death was preventable. She ‌was the victim of a broken system, a system she tried so hard to change. Before too many others follow, Congress needs to hold the Biden administration to the bipartisan recommendations of the Senate Finance Committee: publish critical data, break up the national organ monopoly and replace the O.P.O.s whose failures hold patients' lives hostage.

Tonya did her part. Now it's on the Biden administration to finish the job."

Death

[edit]

Ingram was found unresponsive during a wellness check at her apartment around noon on December 30, 2022. Her death was announced in an Instagram post on New Year's Day.[1]

Hernandez and his wife Alyesha Wise were close friends of Ingram's and raised $30,000 for funeral arrangements and to build a trust to send Ingram's 15-year-old younger sister to college.[30] With the money, they honored Ingram's wish to have a green burial underneath a tree.[1] The ceremony to bury her occurred on the grounds of Hollywood Forever Cemetery under a California Oak on January 27, 2023.[31]

An article from the Los Angeles Times states, "Ingram was on the kidney donor wait list for three years. In an interview, [Matthew "Cuban"] Hernandez said he believed her death was preventable."[1] The Biden administration subsequently announced intentions to reform the organ transplant system.[32][33][34]

Works

[edit]

Books

[edit]
  • Growl and Snare, Penmanship Books, 2013[35]
  • Another Black Girl Miracle, Not a Cult, 2018[36]
  • How to Survive Today, Wild Awake Publishing, 2020[2]

Performed Poems

[edit]
  • "On Praying to God While Taking the SAT Exam", Brave New Voices, 2011[37]
  • "Thirteen", Intermedia Arts, 2013[38]
  • "Unsolicited Advice (after Jeanann Verlee)", CUPSI New York City, 2013[39]
  • "Isms", NPS Boston, 2013[40]
  • "Khaleesi", NPS Boston, 2013[41]
  • "I Am Twenty-Two", NPS Oakland, 2014[42]
  • "Raise Up", The Kennedy Center, 2014[11]
  • "Monster", NPS Oakland, 2015[43]
  • "We Are Full", NPS Oakland, 2015[44]
  • "Live", NPS Oakland, 2015[45]
  • "Suicide", Da Poetry Lounge Slam, 2015[46]
  • "An Open Letter to My Depression", BuzzFeed, 2015[47][48]
  • "Seven Commandments", Sofar NYC, 2016[49]
  • "I Am 24", Brooklyn Slam, 2016[50]
  • "Dear Discouraged", To Write Love On Her Arms, 2016[51]
  • "Until the Stars Collapse", Art Share, 2018[52]
  • "Here is What Loneliness / Love Tells You", Los Angeles Theatre Center, 2018[53]
  • "For the Next Lover", Los Angeles Theatre Center, 2018[54]
  • "On Days You Miss Your Ex", Los Angeles Theatre Center, 2018[55]
  • “how to be strong”, To Write Love On Her Arms, 2019[56]

Awards & Titles

[edit]

Interviews

[edit]
  • "Lupus: Poet Tonya Ingram on Navigating the Organ Donor System", So Life Wants You Dead Podcast[61]
  • "Dating, Self-Care, and Chronic Illness", Just Break Up Podcast[62]
  • "Another Black Girl Miracle", We Have Jobs We Swear Podcast[63]
  • "The Journey and Intersections of Mental Health and Faith", Yas and Amen Podcast[64]
  • "007", Keep Creating Podcast[65]
  • "Tonya Ingram", Sexually Satisfied Woman Series[66]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Deng, Jireh (January 23, 2023). "Tonya Ingram, an inspiring L.A. poet and 'lupus warrior,' died waiting for a kidney". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Ingram, Tonya (November 26, 2019). How To Survive Today: Poems, Prompts, and Affirmations for Those of Us Still Finding Our Way. Wild Awake Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-7334637-6-8.
  3. ^ a b "WNBA Names New York University Student as a Leader of Tomorrow". Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. May 24, 2011. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Lang, Riley (January 6, 2023). "In Memoriam of Tonya Ingram". Button Poetry. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  5. ^ McBride, Dr Maureen (February 9, 2023). "Bonnie Raitt's song of the year spotlights organ donation. Too often, we waste that gift". USA Today. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Abrams, Jenessa (2012). "With Tonya Ingram – Confluence". New York University. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023.
  7. ^ Seedman, Alexander (April 9, 2013). "NYU Wins National Collegiate Poetry Slam". NYU Local. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  8. ^ Enciso, Ana María (February 3, 2021). "Tonya Ingram, a Voice to Help You Recon Your Wounds". BELatina. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Ingram, Tonya (May 25, 2020). "Organ donations get wasted every year. That's killing people like me". NBC News. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Ingram, Tonya (April 10, 2015). "This Poet's Advice Left Championship Judges in Awe". Everyday Feminism. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Raise Up". The Kennedy Center. November 10, 2014. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  12. ^ "Don't Miss TV One's Verses and Flow Featuring Maxwell, Alice Smith, and Leela James". For Harriet | Celebrating the Fullness of Black Womanhood. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  13. ^ "The Nuyorican Poets Cafe". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  14. ^ "Madewell Introduces Spring 2021 Campaign Starring Issa Rae". Essence. February 24, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  15. ^ Guzior, Betsy (December 9, 2021). "Hallmark launches a writing community for Black women". American City Business Journals. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "Lupus doesn't have me". MIGA Swimwear. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  17. ^ "Being Women: Poetry and Imagery". The New York Times. August 17, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  18. ^ Hildebrand Clubbs, Brooke (September 7, 2016). "World Suicide Prevention Day". KRCU Public Radio. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023.
  19. ^ Obisie-Orlu, Shalom (April 30, 2018). "Tonya Ingram: The Poet Who Told Me I Have The Right To Take Up Space". HelloGiggles. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  20. ^ Ingram, Tonya; Reid, Angelo; Bein, Melissa; Bertrand, Maddi; Ciesemier, Kendall (June 11, 2019). "Opinion | 11,000 Americans Will Die Waiting for Transplants This Year". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  21. ^ Ciesemier, Kendall (March 10, 2020). "Opinion | Afraid of Coronavirus? I Know What That Fear Is Like". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  22. ^ "House Hearing on Organ Transplant System | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  23. ^ Gershun, Martha (2023). "I was able to donate a kidney to save a life, but I had to leave Kansas City to help | Opinion". The Kansas City Star.
  24. ^ "Blavity x Nike: Play New Commercial". Lately Early Productions. October 18, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2023 – via Vimeo.
  25. ^ a b c Ciesemier, Kendall (January 28, 2023). "Opinion | Tonya Ingram Feared the Organ Donation System Would Kill Her. It Did". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  26. ^ "Rep. Porter goes live with Tonya Ingram and Jennifer Erickson to discuss new measures to hold organ procurement organizations (OPOs) accountable". Facebook. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "Oversight Subcommittee to Hold Bipartisan Hearing on Needed Reforms in Organ Transplant Industry". Committee On Oversight and Accountability. May 4, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  28. ^ Karp, Seth (February 3, 2023). "Opinion | A 'Preventable Tragedy': Dying for Lack of an Organ Donor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  29. ^ "Trump's Organ-Donation Policy Fix Would Save Lives". Bloomberg. March 24, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  30. ^ "We're beginning to raise funds for our sister Tonya's home going". Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  31. ^ "We will be holding services and a celebration of life for Tonya". Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  32. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (March 22, 2023). "U.S. Organ Transplant System, Troubled by Long Wait Times, Faces an Overhaul". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  33. ^ "Troubled U.S. organ transplant system targeted for overhaul". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  34. ^ Armour, Stephanie (March 22, 2023). "Biden Administration Launches Overhaul of Organ-Transplant System". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  35. ^ "Growl and Snare". Penmanship Books. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  36. ^ "Another Black Girl Miracle". Atomic Books. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  37. ^ "On Praying to God While Taking the SAT Exam". Team New York BNV. 2011. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  38. ^ "Tonya Ingram - Thirteen". Intermedia Arts. September 2013. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  39. ^ "Tonya Ingram - Unsolicited Advice (after Jeanann Verlee)". YouTube. April 16, 2013. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Nuyorican Poets Cafe - Isms". YouTube. September 10, 2013. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  41. ^ Tonya Ingram & Venessa Marco - Khaleesi, January 8, 2014, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  42. ^ Tonya Ingram - I Am Twenty-Two, August 9, 2014, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  43. ^ Tonya Ingram - Monster, November 2015, retrieved January 22, 2023
  44. ^ National Poetry Slam 2015 Semi-Finals - Da Poetry Lounge, December 9, 2015, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  45. ^ Tonya Ingram, King, & Alyesha Wise - "Live" (NPS '15), April 23, 2016, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  46. ^ "Tonya Ingram, Alyesha Wise and Ki NG - "Suicide" | All Def Poetry x Da Poetry Lounge". YouTube. August 24, 2015. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  47. ^ Bergara, Ryan; Lowry, Candace (2015). "This Girl Nails What It Feels Like To Be Depressed". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  48. ^ "This Is What It Feels Like To Be Depressed", BuzzFeed, May 14, 2015, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  49. ^ "Tonya Ingram - Seven Commandments", Sofar NYC, August 9, 2016, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  50. ^ "Tonya Ingram - "I Am 24"". Brooklyn Slam. January 14, 2016. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  51. ^ "Dear Discouraged", To Write Love On Her Arms, September 8, 2016, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  52. ^ "Tonya Ingram", Art Share, 2018, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  53. ^ "Tonya Ingram - "Here is What Loneliness / Love Tells You"", Poetry from Dulzura, March 28, 2018, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  54. ^ "Tonya Ingram - "For the Next Lover" ft. JP Saxe | Poetry from Dulzura", JP Saxe, April 12, 2018, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  55. ^ Tonya Ingram - "On The Days You Miss Your Ex", July 17, 2018, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  56. ^ Arms, To Write Love on Her (November 25, 2019). "Love Can Happen Again, Especially the Kind You Give Yourself". TWLOHA. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  57. ^ "Congratulations to Knicks Poetry Slam 2011 winners!". New York Photographer Blog. February 25, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  58. ^ urbanwordnyc. "Youth Development | Youth Poetry | Critical Literacy | Urban Word NYC". Urban Word. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  59. ^ Henderson, Bill; Pushcart Press, eds. (2014). Pushcart Prize XXXVIII : best of the small presses, 2014. Wainscott, N.Y.: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-1-888889-70-3. OCLC 829989392.
  60. ^ National Poetry Slam Semi-Finals 2015 - Da Poetry Lounge, April 8, 2016, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 22, 2023
  61. ^ "So Life Wants You Dead". Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  62. ^ "Just Break Up: Relationship Advice from Your Queer Besties: Dating, Self-Care, and Chronic Illness: An Interview with Tonya Ingram on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  63. ^ "We Have Jobs We Swear: Another Black Girl Miracle with Tonya Ingram". Liberated Syndication, Inc. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  64. ^ "Yas and Amen Podcast: Ep.13: The Journey and Intersections of Mental Health and Faith w/ Tonya Ingram on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  65. ^ "Keep Creating: 007: Tonya Ingram on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  66. ^ Eva Blake interviews Tonya Ingram for the Sexually Satisfied Woman Series., August 8, 2022, archived from the original on May 10, 2023, retrieved January 23, 2023
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