Soyini Ayanna George

Soyini Ayanna George, daughter of Joan P. George and the deceased Emil C. George, passed on unexpectedly in her sleep on June 23, 2023, at the age of 51. She was an artist and owner of Yinibini Baby and a native resident of the District of Columbia. From 1978 to 1985, Soyini attended St. Margaret’s Primary School and Queen’s College in Georgetown, Guyana and from 1985 to 1990 she attended Convent High School and Clifton Dupigny Community College in Roseau, Dominica. Soyini studied at Northeastern University in Boston, MA and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Art & Graphic Design and Visual Communication and a Certificate in Film Studies in 2005. Soyini loved art, design, and color, which was inspired from her childhood in the Caribbean and her time in Washington, D.C. She was also inspired by local folklore and personal stories, as she thought that these stories had powerful and unique impact on peoples’ lives. Her love for art, design and storytelling led her to create Yinibini Baby, where she weaved color, design, and the magic of storytelling into every garment she designed. She ensured that her store carried a curated selection of toys, books and other items for kids that encouraged imagination and play, just as she experienced in her childhood. Her work was award-winning as her company, Yinibini Baby, was a finalist in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards and she won the Judges Award, Clifton Day Festival for her baby clothes designs in 2014. Yinibini Baby was also recognized by the Washington City Paper’s Best of DC for Best Handmade Products for Kids (first place in 2016, 2019 and 2022 and second place in 2017 and 2018). Previous to the creation of Yinibini baby, Soyini was a successful jewelry crafter and was recognized by the Washington City Paper's Best of DC for Best Local Crafter, Reader’s Poll in 2012 and 2014. Soyini is survived by her daughter, Zarina Farmer-George, her mother Joan George, her brothers, Carlton George and Bediako George and three sisters, Patsy George, Dr. Damali Martin and Niambi George, her brother-in-law, Julien Martin and sisters-in-law, Yumiko George and Dr. MaryEllen McGuire. She is also survived by her great aunt Mrs. Dorothy Norton of Georgetown, Guyana. She was the niece of Roy Martin (deceased) and Norma Martin, Alan Stancil (deceased) and Joy Stancil, Dr. Neville and Bridget Martin, Dr. Keith and Camille Martin and Conrad and Laurel Martin. She is survived by her nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Soyini’s life is scheduled at SMSC Conference Center, 224 2nd St SE, Washington D.C. on July 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Soyini’s favorite charity No Kid Hungry, Share Our Strength, 1030 15th Street NW, Ste 1100W, Washington, DC 20005, 1-800-969-4767.