Babatunde Folayemi Dies
Former Santa Barbara City Councilmember Was 71
Babatunde Folayemi, tireless and eloquent advocate for youth and former Santa Barbara city councilmember, has died. He was 71.
Folayemi appears to have had a heart attack on Wednesday morning, March 28, while sitting in his living room. His wife, Akivah Northern, said he looked like he had peacefully fallen asleep. He had just brought her some fruit while she was preparing to deliver a sermon at her church.
Folayemi served on the S.B. City Council from 2002 to 2004, and on numerous nonprofit boards. In recent months, Folayami, an artist, had devoted himself to painting.
He is survived by his wife and his son, Cinque Northern, a filmmaker in New York City. The public will be invited to a celebration of his life.
Upon learning of his death, Mayor Helene Schneider ordered the flag in front of City Hall to be lowered in Folayemi’s honor.
UPDATE: There will be a candlelight vigil for Babatunde at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 1, 2012, at the Chumash Mosaic on the beach side of Cabrillo Blvd. west of the Dolphin Fountain.
(This is in addition to the formal memorial service being planned by Babatunde’s family, details to come.)
