Alana Devich Cyril died on Saturday, October 27 after a relentless two year battle with advanced gastro-esophageal cancer. Joy was her weapon, humor her armor.
Alana was a theatre buff and creative maven who loved words and understood the power of communication. She was part of the media justice movement not only as the beloved wife of Center for Media Justice co-founder and Director Malkia Devich Cyril, but because she herself was someone with a voice, fighting to be heard.
That fight continues in Alana’s name. As Malkia recently told Sarah Lawrence Magazine, “our lives—especially my life as a black, gender nonconforming human being—depend very heavily on cultural change.” Public narratives of who deserves care and who does not are shaped by who has access to communication platforms, and who does not. As political forces rise to deny access to meds and technology, health care, environmental protection, and democratic rights to the vast majority, we must resist to save our lives.
Join us in honoring the life and work of Alana Devich Cyril—and Malkia’s ongoing fight—by donating to the Center for Media Justice today. As Malkia takes time to heal from this profound loss, help us sustain their vision.
