THE LEGACY OF LORNA C. HILL
Lorna C. Hill BUFFALO, NY
Founder and Artistic Director of Ujima Company, Inc. for 41 years.
Born June 25, 1951 at Mount Vernon, NY. Departed this life peacefully June 30, 2020.
Dearest daughter of Ruby Byars, sister of Donna Mills, beloved mother of Amilcar Hill, and Zoe Scruggs, grandmother to Asa Hill and Solace Hill, and Aunt of Rikkia Mills. Dearest beloved friend of Rahwa Ghirmatzion, Bob Ball, and all of the Ujima Company Members 1978-present.
An actor, director, poet, playwright, and activist, Lorna Hill’s visionary approach to storytelling has provoked reflection, inspired action, and captivated audiences. As the founder and Artistic Director of Ujima Theatre Company, she lived up to Ujima’s definition of “collective work and responsibility” by providing a thriving environment for the growth of diverse audiences, enlightened learning, and opportunity for rising African American talent.
A recipient of many local and national awards including the Associated Press Award for production of the radio show Uncrowned Queens: Voices of African American Women, and The Otto Award for the development of innovative and socially challenging theatre. Lorna pushed creative boundaries, fostered the next generation of artists, and faithfully served the Buffalo community she loved.
09.10.2024
Lorna is inducted into WNY Entertainment Hall of Fame
Lorna’s legacy is honored in her induction into the WNY Entertainment Hall of Fame alongside Patrick Fagan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Albert Nocciolino for their contributions to the arts.
The WNY Entertainment Hall of Fame was first established by the Shea’s Board of Trustees in 1987, inducting sixteen iconic Western New York performers between 1989 and 2003, and is being reintroduced after a 21-year hiatus.
"...and everyone in my world loved me despite the fact that I was not truly of them. I was rich."
This is the last line of “Geronimo”, from Lorna’s one-woman show, Yalla Bitch. A line that is quintessentially Lorna C. Hill, a beacon of love and light for the 69 years she shared the grounds of this earth with us, that love, that light was reflected right back to her.
Lorna had an amazing talent of deeply and purposefully connecting with people. When she cared for you as a member of her community, a member of her family, you created a bond that was unique to just the two of you. As those who remain to steward our communities, we must hold on to this simple but powerful tool of deep and purposeful connection. Lorna left us all with the charge to take care of one another and that is what Ujima Company is doing.
We will put love and justice at the forefront of all that we do. We will build our beloved community. We will utilize the powerful and beautiful tool that is the performing arts to tell the stories that need to be told.
It is no surprise that Lorna’s impact has rippled out far and wide. She will always be a force in our lives.
~ The Ujima Family
All Female Cast
Approaching Simon
Blues for an Alabama Sky
Nurse Finn
Penthesalea
Sexual P in Chi
The Fall of the Amazons
Threepenny Opera
Trouble in Mind
Yalla Bitch