fayemi shakur

So grateful for all the birthday love I received this week. Thank you artists, writers, poets, photographers, and cultural workers who help fuel my imagination. #aquarius

Love is a revolutionary emotion.

My dear artist friend and griot Jerry Gant took this photo of me at Aljira back in the days. He paid me a visit today. 11.11 🤍♥️🕊️🌹 @jerrygantlegacy @gantalismjerry

Happy blessed birthday to my son, Kakuyon. I love you beyond measure. 💫🥰🙏🏽#23

I really don’t have the words to express how much I miss my son. I’m doing my best, Sundiata. I hope you are proud of me. 🤍

🖤✨

Today is Sundiata Acoli's 85th birthday. He has spent 49 years of his life behind bars because the NJ parole board refuses to grant him parole despite his exemplary record and countless accomplishments. A prolific writer and computer specialist, he was a leader of the Harlem chapter of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense. Today, and everyday, we honor him and celebrate his life. I named my son after him and brought my children to visit him over the years as often as I could. I always left those visits feeling a bit lighter and inspired by his incredible strength and unconditional love. UPDATE: On May 10, 2022 The New Jersey Supreme Court correctly upheld the law and granted the release of Sundiata Acoli. He is finally free and living with his loving daughter and grandchildren in Brooklyn. Amazing. For more info visit @sundiataacolifc

This thing called grief is the hardest part of life I’ve ever been through. I want to acknowledge how sincerely grateful I am for all the love and care I have been shown. For a little while, making space to wander close to water and the ocean comforted me so much when the shock and grief of this heartbreaking loss was too hard to bear. Sundiata was a light, my best friend and firstborn son and loved by a lot of people. If you know me well, then you understand. Sundiata really had such a beautiful, joyful spirit and a heart full of love. I am grateful for every memory and every person who showed him love. My dear friend and poet Sham E-Ali lovingly reminded me not to think of him as gone but to instead think of his spirit as expanding. Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return. إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ‎

My youngest son plays in tribute to his brother Sundiata Shakur at the memorial service held on October 1, 2021. @ku.musicofficial Sundiata Shakur left us unexpectedly on September 26, 2021. He was born on January 3, 1999, in Newark, New Jersey at University Hospital. He is the son of fayemi shakur and the late Carlos Simon Derville. Surviving members of his family include his younger brother Kakuyon Shakur Mataeh; his sisters Kayla Simon and Ciaza Perry; his maternal grandparents Tanya Wyatt Kendall and James R. Schenk; his paternal grandparents Sharon Simon and Joe Simon, and many uncles, aunties, cousins, and friends. Sundiata graduated from University High School in 2017. Following his graduation, he attended Fitchburg State University, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He enjoyed playing football, basketball and video games. In recent years, he developed a passion for business. He wanted to be an entrepreneur and began creating a start-up called “Family Over Money” (FOM). “The mission statement for FOM is to provide young Black youth with expressive and creative healing, through art, music, culture and youth leadership. Family Over Money is an organization aimed to contradict the school to prison pipeline, utilizing art, music and creative expression to heal from generational trauma, community violence and criminal justice issues.” Because of his exuberant personality and wide interest in community engagement he participated in various programs, including The Lincoln Park Music Festival, The Office of Violence Prevention Safe Summer Program, and other initiatives. Sundiata had a deep interest in spirituality. In May 2021 he took his Shahadah and pledged his life to Allah. He also practiced Buddhism, meditation, and yoga. His faith practice centered on peace. Sundiata loved reading and learning about spirituality, culture, and identity. He devoured books on Black Studies. Sundiata was a loving son and served his family and community well. He lived every moment of his life with joy, love of his family, friends, and community. We thank you all sincerely for your love and support as we grieve and celebrate Sundiata’s life.

Inspired by the famous Great Day in Harlem photograph created by Art Kane in 1958, @cityofnewarknj will host A Great Day in Newark: A Back Together Again photo shoot this Saturday. Free and open to the public. All are welcome. Space is limited. Sign up for the following locations with these amazing photographers: Location 1: NJPAC with Tamara Fleming (@tamaraflemingphotography ) Location 2: Hahne’s Building grand staircase with Larry Lyons (@ldlyons ) Location 3: Fairmount Art Wall with Manuel Acevedo (@698manuelacevedo ) Location 4: City Hall steps with Chrystofer Davis (@dolo_foto ) Location 5: Mulberry Commons Finale Photo with Tamara Fleming (@tamaraflemingphotography ) RSVP on Eventbrite: /e/a-great-day-in-newark-back-together-again-photo-shoot-tickets-167244618155. #greatdayinnewark #backtogetheragain