*TV writer Aziza Barnes, who identified as queer and used they/their/them pronouns, died by suicide on Dec. 15 at 32.
“With heavy hearts, we regret to inform you of the passing of an undeniable and beloved artist, child, sibling, and friend Aziza ‘Z’ Barnes,’” Barnes’ parents said in a statement shared with TheWrap.
“Z has touched and inspired countless individuals both in their community and industry and will be deeply missed and endlessly loved by all who were fortunate to have experienced their presence and work. An incomparable talent, we look for understanding in Z’s words, and wish comfort and understanding as we grieve this loss,” the statement continued.
Barnes was best known for writing on “Snowfall,” “Teenage Bounty Hunters,” “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” (HBO), and “Rap Sh!t,” (Max). As a celebrated poet, Barnes was a member of several poetry organizations, including the Minneapolis-based Button Poetry.
In an interview with The Adroit Journal, Barnes cited Richard Pryor as an influence on their work.
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This is the hardest post we have ever had to make…
Unfortunately, our leader, birdmom, mentor, and founder Aziza Brown ( @Zizidown ) passed away earlier this week. Aziza was a beacon of light for not just the NY FGC, but the FGC as a whole. Her nurturing and mentorship made DF… pic.twitter.com/Mb7j0uR979— Team Dynamik Focus (@DynamikFocus) October 31, 2024
“…I would watch ‘The Sunset Strip’ on repeat, mainly stuck on the beginning. Pryor comes on stage & says, ‘look, I know you want me to do well. & I want to do well. So, let’s. All. Calm. Down,’” Barnes said. “That level of vulnerability is my s–t & is funny as s–t & is the permission I need to give myself to write.”
According to TheWrap, Barnes’ poetry earned several awards, including Best Poet in the Nation in 2011, the Pamet River Prize in 2012, the Exploding Pinecone Prize, the 2015 Winter Tangerine Award, the Gallery Prize for Radical Presence, and the 2020 Antonyo Award for “BLKS.”
Aziza founded the gaming team Dynamik Focus in 2016. In a statement shared on X/Twitter, the group wrote, “This is the hardest post we have ever had to make…Unfortunately, our leader, birdmom, mentor, and founder Aziza Brown ( @Zizidown ) passed away earlier this week. Aziza was a beacon of light for not just the NY FGC, but the FGC as a whole. Her nurturing and mentorship made DF feel more like a family (though she hated this phrasing), and less like a team. She was always willing to help out folks around her and would always give even when she didn’t have it. Innovator, friend, cheerleader, coach, mom…. There are so many words that could describe her, but even all of them combined don’t do it justice to describe just how amazing and impactful Aziza was…. Rest in power mom, we love you.”
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