Gregory Lewis Harvey

Gregory Lewis Harvey was born on March 29, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland in the Cherry Hill neighborhood. He was the eldest of eight children born to John Lindsay Harvey Sr. and Doris Whitt. In his adult years, he selected the names Kamau (Quiet Warrior) Hasani (Handsome) Alonge (Tall, Skinny Boy) Ogbonna (He Resembles His Father), and Tyehimba (We Stand Together as a Family). The names chosen reflect his African origin and represent the Nguzo Saba principle of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination). During his father's NASA assignment in Bermuda, Kamau graduated from Kindley AFB High School. His love for athletics was undeniable with his participation as a five-sport athlete in track, soccer, rugby, softball, and wrestling. His involvement in student government began the path he would later take in social and political movements. Kamau attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1970 where he studied Psychology. He immediately became involved in the burgeoning Black Nationalist Movement and its call for Black racial unity and political self-determination. While at Morgan, he engaged in student politics and was a community organizer and disruptor in the face of injustices to Black people. He continued his studies in Psychology at the University of New Mexico. In February 1975, while in New Mexico, Kamau and Kibibi Tyehimba's first daughter Aisha Tyehimba was born. Two years later, in 1977, they relocated to Chicago, Illinois, and joined the growing local Black Nationalist Movement. Their second daughter, Safidi Tyehimba, was born a few years later in Chicago. As he continued his work in the movement, he embraced and raised another daughter, Ley Ana Crumpton. Kamau lived over 40 years of his life in Chicago making important contributions to Chicago's Black political, social, and artistic communities. He joined the Institute for Positive Education/New Concept Development Center where he taught third grade. He co-founded Reel Black Film Makers and founded Changing Reels Video Production Service, an independent video production company. He additionally had a career with the Federal Reserve Bank which lasted 24 years. Chicago is where Kamau met and fell in love with Deborah. He proposed to her during a trip to Senegal. During the proposal, he bestowed on her three names with Thandiwe becoming her cherished first name. They wed in a beautiful ceremony in August 2004. Kamau 's love of Black people and the struggle for Black self-liberation led him to join the US Organization founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga. The organization was instrumental in shaping Kamau's deep love and respect for Black people. He served as a mentor and community Baba, (father) and co-founded the Nantambu Rites of Passage Organization as a platform to contribute to the development of Black youth. He encouraged, taught and mentored Black youth sharing with them his passion and love for the art of filmmaking. He relished taking youth to film screenings and spent time teaching videography in schools. Kamau engaged as many young people and adults as possible to create awareness of the beauty and necessity of telling Black stories. Wanting to move closer to family in Baltimore, and with Thandiwe's support, they left Chicago and moved to Maryland in 2021. Once settled, Kamau threw himself into genealogy and reconnected with his family. He committed birthdays and anniversaries to memory and would always call or text his well wishes. He excitedly matched voices, faces and names to family he missed, spoke with by phone or met upon his return. He found many connections through the family tree where he spent a lot of time researching his roots. An elder himself, he still revered his aunts and uncle displaying the ultimate respect they deserved. He was a proud and doting Pop Pop an adoring, gentle patriarch to his daughters, and a pillar of support for his siblings in the absence of their parents, brother and sister who transitioned. Kamau Tyehimba lived his life "in love and struggle" before transitioning to the ancestral realm on August 18, 2024, at 76 years of age. He was preceded by his parents, John Harvey Sr. and Doris Whitt, his brother John Jr. (Johnnie), and his sister, Beverly Jo (Joey). He is survived by his loving wife, Deborah "Thandiwe Tyehimba" Harvey. Surviving siblings are William "Bill" Harvey (Lasana), his partner, Jocelyn Carlton-Lewis; Steven Harvey, and his wife, Madeline Harvey; the twins, Karen Harvey-McLamb and husband Donald McLamb Sr.; Alan Harvey, and wife Yvette Harvey; and sister Linda Harvey. He is also survived by daughters, Aisha Tyehimba, son-in-love, Toussaint Tingling-Clemmons; Safidi Murphy, son-in-love, Brandon Murphy, Ley Ana Crumpton; and two grandsons Bradlee Murphy and Porter Crumpton. He also leaves to mourn his sister-in-love Janet Redmond, her husband Kenny, brother-in-love Leonard Minor, and his wife Carlotta. He had a special love for John Daves and his wife, Jeanine. Beloved aunts and an uncle remember him fondly along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Kamau also leaves an abundance of treasured, friends, brothers and sisters in the struggle, lovers of African drumming and dance, crooners, and students of life. He will be missed tremendously. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to the africanamericanculturalcenter-la.org in memory of Kamau Tyehimba. A donation button can be found on the organization's website.

Gregory Lewis Harvey

March 29, 1948 - August 18, 2024