FREE THE NAME

WHy PEOPLE have been changing THEIR NAMEs?

Many African descendants choose to change their names for various reasons, including spirituality, reclaiming cultural identity or choosing more authenthic representations of self.

This act of renaming oneself is often seen as a way to reconnect with one's ancestral heritage, assert agency over one's identity, and tapping into the energy of self-determination and choosing thy own destiny.

Yvette Marie StevensChaka Khan

Chaka Khan, formerly known as Yvette Marie Stevens, is an iconic American singer hailed as the Queen of Funk.At age 14 chaka joined the Black Panther Party, founded by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton. During this time a Yoruba priest gave her a new name 'Chaka Adunne Aduffe Yemoja Hodarhi Karifi.' and she later got 'khan' from her indian hausband.A Rising to fame in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of Rufus, delivering hits like 'Tell Me Something Good' and 'Ain't Nobody.' As a solo artist, she dominated charts with songs such as 'I'm Every Woman' and 'Through the Fire.'

MahershalalhashbazGilmore

MahershalaAli

Mahershala Ali is an American actor. He has received multiple accolades, including two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award.Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019, and in 2020, The New York Times ranked him among the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century.Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore adopted the name Mahershala Ali after converting to Islam in 2000, to get closer to his faith and identity.

Yvette Marie Stevens

MalcolmX

Malcolm X, originally Malcolm Little, was a prominent African American civil rights leader.He is considered one of the greatest civil rights leaders in American history, advocating for black empowerment and self-defense and against racial segregation and discrimination.His ideas and work greatly influenced the Black Panther Party's founders and its members.Malcolm changed his surname to "X" to signify the loss of his African ancestral name and reject the "Little" surname, which he considered a slave name.

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was an American professional boxer and activist.Nicknamed "the Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.In search of his true identity, Muhammad Ali changed his name from Cassius Clay after converting to Islam in 1964, symbolizing a rejection of his "slave name" and embracing his new religious identity and beliefs.

Kofi Ngonloma NkrumahKWAME NKRUMAH

Kwame Nkrumah was the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, leading the country to independence from British colonial rule in 1957. He imagined a united Africa.Nkrumah was born Francis Nwia-Kofi Ngonloma and changed his name from to Kwame Nkrumah to embrace his African heritage and reflect his pan-Africanist ideals, with "Kwame" indicating he was born on a Saturday, in accordance with Akan naming traditions.

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Historically, Africans descendants were given westernized versions of their original names or entirely new names.

Choosing a name that reflects African cultural heritage or has personal significance can be a powerful act of self-affirmation and empowerment. It allows individuals to determine their own narrative and celebrate their roots.