This heartfelt memorial captures the essence of Bell Hooks, the feminist scholar, activist, and beloved figure who passed away on December 15, 2021, at 69. Throughout her life, Hooks was unwavering in her belief that love, care, and community were powerful tools for challenging injustice and oppression. Friends, writers, and colleagues who gathered to honor her memory spoke deeply of her influence, dedication, and spirit.

Lyle Roelofs, president of Berea College, where Hooks taught and established the Bell Hooks Institute, underscored her commitment to love as a force for change. He quoted Hooks: “Love is a combination of care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect, and trust,” affirming that if society embraces these values, injustices such as imperialism and racism cannot persist.

Gloria Steinem, a friend of Hooks since 1992, echoed this sentiment, reflecting on Hooks’ inshooks’e on the transformative power of love in her works, despite it being a “devalued,” cheapened, misunderstood word.”

Born Gloria Jean Watkins in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, Hooks adopted her pen name from her great-grandmother, Bell Blair Hooks. She earned degrees from Stanford and the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her pioneering works on feminism, race, and class have left an indelible mark on academia and activism.

Gwenda Motley, representing the Watkins family, emphasized how Hooks longed for love and community, while Zillah Eisenstein, a longtime friend, praised her uncompromising fight against racism, sexism, and capitalism.

Others shared personal stories about how hooks touched their lives. Imani Perry, now a professor at Princeton, recalled meeting Hooks as a teenager and learning about her unique approach to public intellectualism. Speaking from London, Paul Gilroy said hooks helped him find his voice, challenging him to express what he once would not dare. Darnell Moore, a friend, and Netflix executive remembered her candidness and fearlessness, highlighting a memorable moment when Hooks set a clear boundary at a dinner conversation.

While Hooks was celebrated for her radical thinking and monumental contributions, speakers like Qrescent Mali Mason also acknowledged her struggles, including her battles with loneliness and forgiveness. This honest reflection humanized Hooks further, reminding us that even those who strive for love and justice face their internal challenges.

Linda Strong-Leek, a close friend of Hooks, concluded the memorial with a promise: the Bell Hooks Center at Berea College would be relaunched to ensure that her legacy continues to inspire and educate future generations. In her closing remarks, Strong-Leek expressed her deep love and respect for Hooks, affirming that her dear friend would never be forgotten.

This tribute reflects how Hook’s love, justice, and radical thought will continue to resonate in the hearts and minds of those she influenced.