The Legacy of Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn

Story By: Pamela Edwards

Pride. Culture. Accomplishment. Legacy.

These are some of the words that come to mind when you think of the great individuals who profoundly affect our lives. In the worldwide African American community, there are those notable people who truly stand out as examples of what we, when united in unity, can accomplish.

To honor a shining example of one such individual, Mr. Kenneth Nunn kindly shared with us some of the history and achievements of his absolutely phenomenal wife, Dr. Patricia HillardNunn. Born in 1963, Dr. Hilliard-Nunn was the third of four children born to Asa and Patsy Jo Hilliard. As a child, Patricia already had astounding examples to aspire to in her parents. Her father, who held a Doctor of Philosophy degree, was not only an educator, but he also became a school superintendent in Liberia, West Africa. Her mother held the office of mayor of East Point, Georgia.

While her father was superintendent in Liberia, Patricia was a young child of several years. She loved and deeply admired all things African, embracing her growth and immersion as an African child. Patricia and her family later moved back to America, to San Francisco, California, then to Atlanta, Georgia, where she completed her senior year of high school. She then attended Hampton University for her undergraduate studies, and later The Graduate Film School at Howard University, earning her Masters of Fine Arts Degree. It is here that she met her husband in 1989, then they married in 1990.

Dr. Hillard-Nunn graduated from Florida State University in 1993 with a Ph.D. in Communications and later moved to Gainesville, Florida. She served as an adjunct professor and lecturer in the African Studies Department at the University of Florida.

She became a community organizer and activist, started film production in Gainesville, then published children’s books through Makare Publishing. With her powerful community influence, she created many community organizations, including the Powerful Elders, the Sisters of Maat, Makare African Dance Family (originally called Duafe Dance Troop). She was also a proud member of The Links, Inc., American Association of University Women and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, serving as the president of the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter.

Mr. Nunn shared so many wonderful, amazing treasures about his beloved wife, Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn, who, unfortunately, departed this life in 2020. He provided such a beautiful legacy tribute to celebrate her life well-lived. Some of the additional reflections he shared was the fact that Dr. Hillard-Nunn’s proudest moment was watching their daughters graduate from college. Even as a child, when people would ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she said she wanted to be a mommy.

Also, Mr. Nunn indicated that his wife’s courage to be a leader was faith in God. She was a woman who had a strong spiritual core and leaned on her faith to get things done. May her shining examples of leadership, accomplishment, and undying love for the Black community continue to inspire us to tirelessly work in unity, reaching even greater heights to honor her beautiful legacy.