If you’re Chicago-based, and happen to be a night owl, an artist, a sex worker, queer or trans fam, a prison abolitionist on the near west side, a fan or worker of Dimo’s pizza, killing time in Wicker Park, riding around on the Blue Line, or just occasionally stoop squat on Damen Ave at “the crotch”…you’ve likely seen, bought art from, traded secrets and smiles with, shared food or gotten some life advice from beloved LaJuana Lampkins.
“Two Lives Stolen!”, LaJuana and son in top left. Photo taken by Red.
A few of our Chicago comrades got to know and organize alongside LaJuana in the coalition Illinois Campaign to End the New Jim Crow, which formed to bring together families who had loved ones, children mainly, murdered and/or tortured by police. One of our comrades wrote this piece in 2013, after working alongside LaJuana in the media crew for IL CENJC.
LaJuana was/is a fierce friend, comrade, artist, mother, and fighter for justice. She had a way of speaking to you as if you were old friends (even if you weren’t). She was truly a light, a real joy to be around, and she lived unapologetically. She will be missed tremendously. We will continue to organize in her name, and in her honor. Her memory is a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
LaJuana’s legacy of amazing, messy, beautiful, raunchy, artwork is archived here (an older account is here too) on Instagram. In 2021, she held her first formal art exhibition at a popup gallery space in Bucktown, you can read about it here.
Artist/Directors Julia Mondschean and Maya Horton worked on a film project alongside LaJuana called, My Mother is an Artist. You can watch the proof of concept short, embedded above.
From LaJuana’s son, Sir Gerald:
My mother, Lajuana Lampkins, left this world on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, to be with Allah, her mother, and her beloved son—my brother—Prince Bantu Akbar. My mother was a beautiful woman who overcame countless obstacles in her life but still chose to live fully. She was a fighter! She fought for us as children, even when she couldn’t be with us. She fought for her freedom. And she never stopped fighting for justice for my brother. She loved hard! She cherished her family—her siblings, her grandchildren, and her three children: Lamiea, Prince, and me, Sir Gerald. She was hilarious! Her sense of humor was unmatched, and I will always treasure our time together selling “Ghetto” art in downtown Chicago. She was unapologetically herself! My mother spoke her mind and refused to be censored. She embraced who she was, fearlessly and fully. She was an artist! Her beauty, her unique fashion sense, and her drawings were all expressions of her creativity and spirit. I share this to ask for your support in celebrating my mother’s life. I want to give her the memorial service and burial she deserves. Any contribution would mean the world to me.
Sir Gerald has started a GoFundMe to cover memorial costs, please give and share if you’re able. We are directing funds toward this as well from our collective hustles over the next week.
