The Free Press is saddened by the death of our friend and Free Press “Libby” Award honoree Nommo X. We will miss him and the community work he performed and inspired on the Near East side of Columbus. However he celebrate his life, which was a life well-lived, as is documented in this biography from his memorial service:

James Edward Brown (Nommo X) was born March 14, 1947 in Memphis, Tennessee . He was the oldest of three children born to Otis and Julia Brown. He departed life on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at Mount Carmel East Hospital.

Nommo was a community activist, counselor at the Africentric Personal Development Shop, entrepreneur, historian, Ironworker (Local 172), lecturer, operations manager for various community food co-ops, radio and television host, soldier in theAfro-Set, and a member of the indigenious Washitaw people. He was recognized as a War Chief in the TAWI Family along with other members, promoted Kwanzaa, Queen Mother Moore Day, FESTAC and brought many world renowned scholars to Columbus.

For more than 40 years, Nommo studied and taught the multi-faceted history of the African diaspora. In 1987, he traveled to Egypt with an educational tour and climbed one of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Space and time does not allow us to list all of his accomplishments. He influenced many people and educated many minds.

(Words from the family of Nommo X)