In Memoriam: Our Beloved Friend and Colleague Tawanna Wright

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Tawanna Wright, Associate State Director of Community Outreach in Birmingham, AL. Tawanna joined AARP in 2016 and quickly leveraged her volunteer management and community engagement experience to build AARP’s programs in Central and North Alabama. With her volunteers and community partners, she supported the City of Birmingham’s Bus Rapid Transit System to provide efficient and reliable transportation options, advocated and passed Complete Streets and Missing Middle Housing policies, and leveraged pop-up demonstrations to make permanent place-making changes across the city. Tawanna’s journey as a dedicated servant leader is a testament to her commitment to community empowerment and education. Prior to her time at AARP, she served at the Corporation for National Service and the State of Alabama Governor’s Office on National and Community Service. Her resume does not reflect the impact she made as she helped children improve their reading skills, organized fun adventures for students in after-school programs, volunteered for countless organizations and served as an impactful board member for many non-profit and faith-based community agencies. A proud Auburn graduate, Tawanna was also a KCB Certified Barbecue Judge and an avid gardener. Her front porch was always filled with flowers that she loved to tend with her great-niece, Camryn. She found immense joy in spending time with her loved ones, especially her niece and nephews, who held a special place in her heart. This year, Tawanna was awarded as one of Alabama’s Top 50 Over 50 awards, a program to recognize individuals in Alabama who find opportunities to make a difference. What a perfect recognition. Her legacy of service, leadership, and love will continue to inspire us all. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched.

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