Reggie Anglen, President Emeritus of the Columbus Association of Black Journalists and former CU contributor, passed away last Friday, September 1, at his home in Columbus. According to a GoFundMe set up for his funeral costs, no insurance coverage exists for his memorial service, and his family is asking for donations “in order to ensure a decent funeral service for Reggie.”
Anglen played several roles in the community, and along with his work with the Columbus Association of Black Journalists, he also founded Teachable Moments, a grassroots organization that aims to improve the lives of Central Ohioans who are older than 40 and experience blindness or vision loss.
“I have a dream. I have no money. I am an African-American who happens to be blind,” Anglen wrote in his biography on the Teachable Moments website. “Like Helen Keller, our most famous ambassador, we will commit to creating a more equitable world for people with vision loss.”
Anglen was a motivational speaker, community activist and author, completing “I’m Not Special, Just Me — The Reggie Anglen Story” in 2015. He brought his passion for writing to Columbus Underground earlier this year for an editorial headlined “Trump Needs to Let Journalists do Their Jobs,” about the importance of a free and neutral press.
On Anglen’s GoFundMe, his family said funeral expenses would total more than $5,000.
“A search for insurance information for Reggie has turned up fruitless,” the initiative reads. “Therefore, we have very little funds to give Reggie a proper funeral service … Thanks all for your love and support of our dear Reggie.”
They’re inching toward their goal, having raised $1,190 of the $5,700 needed.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, September 23 at the Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home, Chapel of Peace, at 2500 Cleveland Ave. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m., with services commencing at 10 a.m.
For more information, or to submit a donation, visit gofundme.com/reggie-anglens-memorial-fund.