I met Michael Ajakwe a little over two years ago. I was putting on a seminar at the WGA on ‘Creating A Web Series’ and read in the trades that the LAWEBFEST was that week-end. The timing couldn’t have been more fortuitous. I had never heard of Michael or the LAWEBFEST. I called him and asked if he would be part of it. As busy as he was those few days before the 2016 Fest he said ‘sure’. Since then he’s been a huge supporter of mine. Andme of him. He loved when I lectured on ‘Creating A Web Series’ and asked me to be part of the Webfest from then on. This past year I had an entry in the Fest which was recognized several times and once again gave unknown people a boost to their talents. This year’s WEBFEST was a little over a month ago. I was shocked by his appearance. His courage, commitment, caring, and concern were never higher no matter what his body said. There are no words to express how sad I am today that we lost a great one. One of the nurturers. We have so few of them. I tried to impress upon him how much he was loved and admired and respected — knowing full well if there is a 2019 LA WEBFEST Michael will still be running it from afar. He left the systems in place. To his wife and family my heartfelt condolences. I can not imagine the hole he has left. But his suffering has stopped. Below is a picture of Michael on that panel in April 2016. That’s the way I’ll remember him. The WGA felt it such an important panel they videod it to our benefit. Here is an edited version that the WGA edited. I think it only appropriate that even then they knew enough to give Michael the last word.Our time together was way too short…But I will remember him always.
https://youtu.be/YKoA4joUEw8