Mike Hawkins

1976 - 2014

Mike "Brother Mike" Hawkins, inspiring poet, activist, educator, and mentor, died December 3, 2014 in his hometown of Chicago. He was 38. Born on November 2, 1976, Brother Mike graduated from Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois, and studied at DePaul University. He loved poetry, music, photography, and most of all, empowering young people and adults to "turn moments into movements." He became one of the most noted mentors in Chicago's youth media scene, fostering the potential of hundreds through his leadership at the YOUmedia Center in Harold Washington Library. In 1999, he co-founded a spoken word and hip hop performance group called POETREE. From there he worked on countless creative collaborations and youth media projects across the Chicagoland area through the Digital Youth Network. In September 2014, he accepted a position to help launch a teen multimedia learning space called MetaMedia at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston. Throughout his life Brother Mike mentored hundreds of young people who credit him for empowering them with the skills and vision needed to pursue their dreams as leaders, artists, and innovators. Brother Mike Hawkins is survived by his loving partner, Jacqueline Lazú and two daughters, Yamila Blake-Lazú and Solange Blake-Lazú of Evanston; father Michael Hawkins of Chicago; five siblings, Racediate Paramore and Quedell Paramore, Deborah Hawkins Bashir, Linda Hawkins-Pearson, and Michael Anthony Hawkins, all of Chicago. He is also survived by a host of nieces, including Ebony Paramore and Jasmine Paramore, nephews, and other family members, as well as numerous mentees, collaborators and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy J. Hawkins in 2012. A funeral service will be held at Second Baptist Church, 1717 Benson Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, on Wednesday, December 10 at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will begin prior to the funeral at 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 21 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at Little Black Pearl Art & Design Center, 1060 East 47th St, Chicago, IL 60653. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a scholarship fund being set up in Brother Mike's honor. For more information, email info@digitalyouthnetwork.org.