
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Shakiri
Donation protected
On July 9th, our beloved Shakiri passed suddenly from a stroke. We, her family and community are deeply heartbroken.
In her final hours, she was in rehearsal, dancing, singing, and creating — doing exactly what she loved, with people she loved. That’s how I want you to remember her: fully alive, fully herself, radiating joy and purpose, in community.
Shakiri was many things — a partner, a sister, a mentor … But more than anything, she was an artist. She moved through this world with fierce grace, with laughter in her chest and rhythm in her bones. She poured her whole spirit into every teaching moment, every rehearsal, every performance, every piece of writing and every painting or sculpture. And she gave that spirit freely, with love.
In lieu of flowers or other offerings, I’m asking for your support in honoring Shakiri’s legacy by making a donation to the two arts organizations that were closest to her heart: Skywatchers and Zaccho Dance Theatre.
Shakiri called these her artistic homes. They were her people — spaces where she could create freely, be held in community, and help others do the same. Your donation will go directly to supporting their work and extending Shakiri’s spirit into the world for years to come.
About Zaccho Dance Theatre
Zaccho, founded in 1980 and based in Bayview Hunters Point, is San Francisco’s oldest Black-run dance company. Through aerial choreography, site-specific performance, and deeply rooted community work, Zaccho has brought visionary Black performing arts to local and international stages.
About ABD/Skywatchers
Skywatchers is a radical cross-cultural, intergenerational, and mixed-ability community arts collaboration, rooted in San Francisco's Tenderloin district. Starting from the belief that relationship is the first site of social change, we co-create rigorous works of art emerging from circles of trust and belonging, centering the life stories, concerns, and boldest dreams of Tenderloin artists.We are committed to calling for justice and equity, embodying our belief that all our destinies are inextricably linked.
“Shakiri was our sister in art and in life — a choreographer, dancer, visual artist, writer, quilter, educator, disrupter, adventurer… a visionary, and our favorite genius. She was deeply loved by us and by so many. For 32 years at Zaccho and 10 years at Skywatchers, Shakiri helped shape our work and our worlds. Her impact was profound — not only through her passion and brilliance as an artist, but in the way she showed up for people: present and alive with curiosity and care. She filled rooms with joy, with bold truth, with laughter and spontaneity. We are so grateful to Andrew and to Shakiri’s family for honoring her by supporting the work she loved. We carry her spirit with us — and we’ll keep creating in her name.”
-Anne Bluethenthal, Founder and Lead Artist Emeritus of Skywatchers, and Joanna Haigood, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Zaccho Dance Theatre
Celebrations of Life for Shakiri
Please join us in honoring Shakiri at any of the following gatherings:
August 22 at 12pm – Pavilion Community Center, 9950 Elk Grove Florin Rd, Elk Grove, CA
August 30 at 2:30pm – Zaccho Dance Theatre, 1777 Yosemite Ave, SF, CA
September 14 at 1pm – GLIDE Memorial Church, 330 Ellis St, SF, CA
Thank you for the love, the prayers, and the support.
With love and gratitude,
Andrew



Organizer and beneficiary
Sarah Hebert-Johnson
Organizer
Sacramento, CA
Andrew Woods
Beneficiary