Tanya Dennis

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Tanya Dennis – Activist/Artist/Educator

Tanya Dennis was raised in Berkeley California during the turbulent and history-changing 60’s, experiencing the leadership of Mario Savio during Berkeley’s famous Free Speech Movement and as a personal friend of Black Panther organizer Huey Newton.

Despite the powerful advocacy of Savio and Newton, Dennis’ penchant for advocacy stemmed from the family. Her mother and father were lifelong members of the NAACP.

Following in her parents footsteps, Dennis is a member of the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), the Poor People’s Campaign, Color of Change,

Adamika Village#stopkillingourkidsmovement, Oakland Frontline Healers, Black Leaders Coalition, and Movement for Black Lives. 

Dennis retired from teaching in June 2020 after teaching for 49 years at the University and secondary level. She is a reporter for the Post News Group, a community activist, artist and educator.

She is a certified trainer in Living Values, an Educational Program and Therapeutic Storytelling Intervention, two character education programs.

In 1972 she formed a 26 member West African Dance company, that, 46 years later continues to perform and teach in Richmond VA. She serves as Ezibu Muntu, Dance, Education, Culture’s General Manager/grant writer after returning to Richmond in 2018.

An avid advocate for the elderly and disabled, Dennis works fervently for probate court reform with SHOUT OUT JUSTICE and CA California, located in Oakland California. 

Her work for bank reform and housing coveted her nationwide coverage while working with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) from 2010 – 2015.

Dennis is a leader of Oakland Frontline Healers, a response organization of 26 non-profits and two medical facilities organized for COVID-19 response, and on the Board of Adamika Village#stopkillingourkidsmovement.

Dennis is seeking reparations for Descendants of Enslaved Africans (DOEA), and organized the Black Leaders Coalition to petition the Federal Government for personal and community reparations.

Ms. Dennis resides in Richmond Virginia and recently organized with the city and state to commemorate the 400 year African Holocaust/Maafa designating October 1st as African Holocaust/MAAFA day.

https://www.nbc12.com/2019/10/02/city-leaders-commemorate-oct-african-holocaust/