Sadly, following a long and unforgiving struggle with complications due to an advanced condition of diabetes, at an early hour on March 14th, 2009, our dear author and friend departed from this plane of existence. He is survived by his soulmate Islah Sah, daughter Zakiyyah, and sons Mustapha and Jihad.
A graduate of Bennington College, Ihsan Bracy ( dates-dates) was a member of the New York State Council on the Arts and former chair of the Theatre Department of Talent Unlimited High School, NYC’s second largest performing arts high school. Ihsan’s major educational credits include directing five Manhattan, three NYC and a third place National Shakespeare Championship as well as an ARTS National Finalist in Theatre. A spoken word and Brooklyn based artist, Ihsan has performed all across the city including a long running appearance at The Triad as part of composer Michael Raye’s Soul Gathering. Author of two volumes of poetry, cadre and the ubangi files, Ihsan has twice been a CAPS Finalist and has been elected to the New Renaissance Writer’s Guild. Ihsan is survived his soulmate Islah Alexander (?) and their three children Mustapha, Sister and Jihad.
ihsan bracy
Paths of Sanctuary was author Ihsan Bracy’s second work of fiction with Cool Grove Press (Feb. 2008). His first book ibo landing: an offering of short stories, (CGP 1998) was work-shopped by NYU in preparation for an upcoming Broadway run by The Mirror Repertory Company where Ihsan is the Arts and Education Coordinator. As artistic Director and Founder of The Tribe Ensemble, a multi-ethnic theatre repertory company based out of the Jamaica Arts Center for thirteen years, Ihsan authored and directed Against the Sun, the Southampton Slave Revolt of 1831. A former member of The Family (La Familia) Inc., his credits include prolonged theatre workshops at Bayview Correctional Facility for Women, the Spofford Home for Juveniles and Riker’s Island, which culminated in a forty prison inner city tour. Ihsan directed Juan Shamsul Alam’s Benpires which received a Pulitzer Prize nomination in theatre.
A graduate of Bennington College, Ihsan Bracy is a former member of the New York State Council on the Arts and former chair of the Theatre Department of Talent Unlimited High School, NYC’s second largest performing arts high school. Ihsan’s major educational credits include directing five Manhattan, three NYC and a third place National Shakespeare Championship as well as an ARTS National Finalist in Theatre. A spoken word and Brooklyn based artist, Ihsan has performed all across the city including a long running appearance at The Triad as part of composer Michael Raye’s Soul Gathering. Author of two volumes of poetry, cadre and the ubangi files, Ihsan has twice been a CAPS Finalist and has been elected to the New Renaissance Writer’s Guild.
Praise for Paths of Sanctuary
This novel works with both hands, a visionary work with a command of craft that ensures Ihsan Bracy’s literary legacy, work that acclaims the craftsman a master and makes it all worthwhile. An exquisite post modern folkology, the novel every writer wants to write and every reader wants to read.
—Arthur Flowers, De Mojo Blues, Another Good Lovin’ Blues, Confessions of a 21st Century Conjure Man
ihsan bracy is a visionary wordsmith. In a story that spans both time and the imagination, he has managed to capture the most painful and yet the most beautiful of our experience, while gifting us with an epic, bordercrossing story that transcends the conventional, and leaves readers lifted. Thank you ihsan, for journeying on. Paths of Sanctuary is well worth the wait.” —Sheree Renée Thomas, editor of the Dark Matter Series
Bracy is a writer unafraid to enter the deepest night to find the brighter light within. In his invention, I see our own as Black Americans, a winding road through an emotional landscape, taking us from our rough arrival to new knowledge of self and destiny.
— Terence Taylor, Dark Dreams, Voices from the Other Side, Whispers in the Night, Bite Marks
Praise for Ibo Landing
“In 22 graceful stories bracy displays his professional control of material, craft, and literary vision. bracy belongs with the group of writers who since Zora Neale Hurston have strived to manifest African American literary language as sacred texts and griotic literature as working literature. It is a significant work from a significant voice, from whom I suspect the best is yet to come.” —Arthur Flowers BLACK ISSUES BOOK REVIEW May/June 1999
• “Family and friendship are bracy’s forte… in this ensemble of 22 short pieces based on the history of his ancestors, half South Carolina Gullahs and half Blue Ridge Virginians…stories of childhood loom large.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY-Oct 12 1998
—MULTICULTURAL REVIEW -Sept 1999
• “There is myth and magic in this book and readers will find themselves nodding their heads in wonder, appreciation and approval as they savor each story.”
—AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (Black Caucus )
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OTHER BOOKS BY IHSAN BRACY
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