Tuesday, February 13th 2018, Dr. Stephen Abayomi Obadele Meeks, a king within our midst, returned to his spiritual home. Born to this realm in August 1958, his life mission was to serve, elevate, and heal. A highly skilled and accomplished Community Leader, Martial Artist, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Musician, and Yoruba Priest, he was a vanguard with the ability to inspire others to be their best authentic selves. Dr. Meeks believed that “as a servant for god, love inspires the willpower which then directs us with the wisdom to help others!”
Recognized nationwide for Martial Arts skills in both African and Asian traditions, Dr. Meeks instilled his students with a respect for tradition while encouraging innovation. He taught that the way of the warrior is to establish harmony by nurturing the seeds of love, compassion, courage, and integrity.
He is lovingly referred to as Bawo by his students, recognizing his rank as an 8 degree black belt and the highest ranking Master Teacher in the South African martial arts tradition of Isinaphakade Samathongo in the United States.
In 1990, Dr. Meeks co-founded the Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center, the first Pan-African cultural and healing arts center in the state of Colorado that promoted diversity and inclusiveness. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he brought his nationally recognized Children’s Rites of Passage (CROP) program to Colorado. A program which has since graduated more than 2,000 children of all ethnic backgrounds. In addition, the Center’s Kwanzaa Karimu was the first and largest public celebration in Colorado for more than 22 years.
Dr. Meeks was the first licensed African American acupuncturist in the state of Colorado and, over the course of 27 years was responsible for helping hundreds of thousands in Colorado restore health and balance to their lives. As a healer and activist, he was committed to providing health services to underserved communities successfully partnering with social service organizations and foundations to reduce health disparities, especially in the Black and Latino communities.
He approached problems with tenacity and sincerity resulting in the formation of meaningful relationships, innovative solutions; and, for his patients, physical and spiritual healing.
His courage, spiritual integrity, unconditional love, and generosity made a positive and lasting impact on all who had the honor and privilege to know him. He was peerless. He was larger than life, our super-hero… He will be, well and truly missed.
Dr. Meeks is survived by his Mother Pearl Meeks; his son’s Oji, Kumasi, and Adeyemi Meeks; his brother’s Keith, and Dwayne Meeks; grand-daughter, aunts, uncles, neices, nephews, cousins, and his numerous students.
In accordance with Dr. Meeks wishes there will not be a funeral service. Instead the public is invited to join his family and the Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center for a “Celebration of Life” on 14 April 2018 from 1:00 –4:00pm at the Summit Event Center at 411 Sable Blvd. Aurora 80011.
For more information, visit our website at www.moyoarts.com; call 303-377-2511; or email MoyoNguvu@gmail.com.
As a young boy (5 years old) I met Dr. Meeks at Cleo Parker Robinson's dance camp. Over the next two years my mom drove me the 45 minutes every weekend to the Moyo Nguvu martial arts center where I learned African Martial Arts. I took great pride, even as a boy, in knowing Dr. Meeks and learning from him the culture and practice he taught. He is the one who taught me the difference between a soldier and a Warrior. A soldier is educated in the art of war and how to destroy their enemy. A Warrior is one who uses his or her strength to protect the Weak. I cannot convey properly how powerful this message was to me, how formative. Dr. Meeks was my first Role Model. I will always remember him and his message. I take great, great pride in having known him and learned from him.
Stephen Abayomi Meeks was my teacher for many years. I came to him by chance and stayed as spirit family. A true warrior he was, he taught me so much and to this day I still use his teachings. I owe him so much, he taught me about self care, he taught me what discipline was all about and he taught me about community. Stephen Abayomi Meeks bridged the gap between communities as he was honest, sincere and more than happy to teach anyone with a sincere heart and spirit. I still get tingles when I think about his teachings. I swear he could read my mind. I often tell people about how at any moment during one of his profound lectures he would look at me as if he knew what I was going through. Stephen Abayomi Meeks was unlike any other teacher I ever had. He was the best teacher I ever had, and his heart and skills were masterful. I absolutely loved our Saturday and Thursday training sessions. Often I would leave a saturday class completely exhausted yet feel like I could jump a mountain and land safely! I’m honored to have had the chance to be taught by him, to have been part of Moyo, to have been welcomed in like family. Stephen Abayomi Meeks was one of the wisest men I’ve ever known and I’m grateful for everything he taught me. Today I was reminded of him and I feel I saw him in spirit. Back when I was training with a moyo we were all given animal spirits and I was named the spider. Today as I was sharing my stories about Moyo with a friend a little spider appeared and I looked down and was comforted. Rest In Peace Stephen Abayomi Meeks.
Love, respect and gratitude,
Eric Novack
I have known Yomi, as he was affectionately known all of his life. He is my nephew and my friend. I watched him grow into a man. Through that process I watched him grow spiritually moving closer to the energy we call God. He has been watched over and guided in that endeavour! Favor has always been put upon him ev en when it appeared to be negative! He was strong physically, mentally and spiritually! He loves and trusts God! After that it was his family and the martial arts of which he studied many styles, combining to create his own! A master and Sifu he is! He has pride and style, he loved nice clothes, with a style of his own. The way he walked, the way he talked, the way he stood tall, especially when he was in an aggressive stance! He didn’t fear anything, including the transition we call death! Yet he loved life in its many forms! Crazy about his mother, brothers, children! He has a special affection for his students! Well known for his profession and healing art acupuncture with which he helped many including myself! He loves nature, water, the mountains etc! An enfinity for the Universe! His sence of humor is second to none! He is a special man and spirit from my point of view! The smile,the way he would rub and scratch his nose! Those of you who know him know exactly what I’m talking about!!!! I love him and can’t say enough about him! If you noticed I never spoke of him in the past tense simply because he is not gone, he is still here, physically we we cannot hold and embrace him, but we can hold and embrace him in our hearts and mind! I will never let you go!!!! I love you Yomi my homey, my nephew my friend!!!! May Gods Peace be upon you!!!!
