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Biography
Joan Tarika Lewis (a.k.a. Tarika Matilaba) is an visual artist, musician, author, and political activist, was born Joan Angela Lewis in Oakland, California, to John Henry Lewis and Florence (Reid) Lewis.
Lewis studied at Oakland Tech, during which time she co-founded the Black Student union and staged sit-ins for the Black Studies course. After high school Lewis became the first woman to join the Black Panther Party, in 1967, at the age of 16. As a member of the party she took on a number of roles including writing editorials and drawing political cartoons. She was the first woman to serve as a graphic artist for the Black Panther newspaper.
After leaving the party Lewis became a graphic artist and Jazz violinist. She toured internationally with saxophonist John Handy and went on to teach visual arts. In 2001 she was awarded the Congressional Recognition Award for "Performing Artist and Recognition of Community Work".