Long Live my friend PROFESSOR Jason Arday 🕊️

Words will never be able to capture my thoughts, my gratitude & ultimately my grief. But I had to write something, because you mean so much to me.

I remember messaging you the moment I heard the tragic news of your passing. I will write it again now:

“I am so sorry 🙏🏿✨

I pray you are at peace, kind one 💖

Thank you for everything you've done & everything you are🌻"

Beautiful image edited from Tales of a SEN Parent's post

Not a day goes by that I don't remember your light- a light that exuded so much kindness.

You were my mentor, my friend, my colleague, my sponsor, my encourager. You shaped my career path & quite literally opened doors for me. You showed me that kindness could live in academia…until it couldn't. The irony of your life & career!

You achieved so much in your short life & the ripples of your legacy are only now truly starting to be felt.

I will always honour your professorship- not because that's all you were, but because it was such a huge achievement for someone like us- & something they can NEVER take away from you! You, from Clapham & me from just down the road in South West London. I used to see you around when I was growing up, long before our paths properly crossed when the universe saw fit. & what an impact you had on my career & on my life.

So thank you- for everything. Your wisdom, your research & scholarship, your strength, your courage, your love, our jokes & your immense sacrifice in paving the way & showing us what was possible.

You will forever live in my heart. You will forever inspire my work. & you will live on as a trailblazer in the minds of future generations of young Black scholars who may feel discouraged or uncertain about a path in academia.

I once heard someone say:

"Not everyone becomes an ancestor-only those who leave something meaningful behind".

& look how much meaning you packed into 41 years- wow!

I dedicate this song, Lil Star by Kelis & CeeLo Green, to you, for all time to come- because, for me, it exudes your humility, your light & your generosity to so many others including me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqLghoGLez4&list=RDTqLghoGLez4&start_radio=1 

My deepest condolences to your family & loved ones who knew & held you first & most closely. But you belong to all of us too- to everyone whose life & career you touched & changed.

Long live my friend, PROFESSOR Jason Arday. Rest in power. Amen & Ase 🙏🏿

Me with Dr Chantelle Lewis & Professor Jason Arday at their book launch in December 2025