United States: CFWIJ Pays Tribute To Journalist Ayesha K. Faines
Location: United States, Florida
Date: July 12, 2021
Influencer and journalist Ayesha K. Faines died suddenly on July 2 at the age of 35. No further announcement has been made for the cause of her death. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) mourns the sudden loss of Ayesha and offers sincere condolences to the journalist's family, friends and colleagues.
The Grapevine TV’s Ayesha K. Faines died unexpectedly at the age of 35. No further announcement has been made for the cause of her death. Ayesha was also the founder of Women Love Power, a platform aimed at empowering women. Women Love Power is a digital developing company that produces training programs designed to support women to discover their strengths.
According to Insider, the journalist graduated from Yale University. She started her career as a television reporter for WJXT4 in Jacksonville then followed FL in 2008 and My9TV/FOX in New York City.
As a freelancer, her work has appeared on many media outlets such as MTV, Essence, Entertainment Tonight, Hot 97, Afropunk, and The Michael Baisden Radio Show. Recently she appeared at Grapevine TV, a Black-based website focused on millennial issues.
Many of her colleagues and outlets she worked in paid tribute after Ayesha’s sudden death.
The Grapevine TV said, “There are no words to describe the impact, power and legacy that our friend Ayesha K. Faines leaves behind. Though we may feel her journey was cut short, the undeniable cultural shift she created for all of us is more than complete. We honour her name, her work and her intention as she transitions. Thank you for all of the love and privacy at this time.”
Ayesha was a force on the show and in real life. Often counseling me both personally and professionally when life became too much. She always reminded me that optimism is the key to get through any situation. pic.twitter.com/TLaTdnmRaH
— The Grapevine (@TheGrapevineTV) July 6, 2021
News4Jax anchor Melanie Lawson also paid tribute to Ayesha as an incredible woman.
Melanie said, “Ayesha was such a bright light”. “She was so young when she came to News4Jax but very intelligent and mature beyond her years. When she spoke it was like listening to poetry. I was always so proud of her accomplishments after she left the station. Ayesha was also a fierce supporter of women.” she continued.
Her colleague from Grapevine TV, Donovan Thompson, remembered the journalist saying that “Ayesha offered the most profound, insightful words of wisdom in the most beautifully articulate ways imaginable. I was always humbled being in her presence and she continuously inspired me to be better. Intellect, beauty, wisdom, power, grace, class, and bravery… She had it all.”
Ayesha offered the most profound, insightful words of wisdom in the most beautifully articulate ways imaginable. i was always humbled being in her presence and she continuously inspired to be better. intellect, beauty, wisdom, power, grace, class, and bravery… she had it all.
— Donovan Thompson (@I_AM_DONOVAN) July 6, 2021
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is saddened by the sudden loss of admired and inspired journalist Ayesha F. Faines, whose service will surely be remembered. We express our condolences to Ayesha’s friends, family and colleagues in this time of mourning.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.