Vivian Ayers Allen

A native of Chester, S.C., Dr. Vivian Ayers Allen is a poet, cultural activist, and American classicist. A 1939 graduate of the historic Brainerd Institute in Chester, Dr. Ayers attended Barber-Scotia College and Bennett College.

Dr. Ayers has also received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Bennett College and Wilberforce University. Her literary career began in Houston, Texas with the publication of "Spice of Dawns" (1952), a collection of poems that was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. "Hawk," an allegory of freedom made analogous to space flight, followed and was published on July 11, 1957, just 11 weeks before the launch of Sputnik I.

"Hawk" would later earn praise from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at their Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center where enlarged reproductions of the writings are exhibited.

Dr. Ayers' talents and interests also include the research of world cultures. She studied classical Greek at Rice University, Columbia University, and Princeton University. In addition, she has studied and translated texts on Mayan culture and astronomy. Allen’s famous daughters include Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen. Rashad is an American actress, singer and stage director. She is best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984-92), which earned her Emmy Award nominations in 1985 and 1986. Allen, the daughter, is an actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director, producer, and a former members of President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Allen is best known for her work in the musical-drama television series Fame (1982- 1987).

Source: scafricanamerican.com. Image courtesy The Charleston Chronicle.

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