An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created

Santi Elijah Holley In conversation with Melina Abdullah
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023 | 7:00pm Mark Taper Auditorium-Central Library

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“Magnificent…. A uniquely intimate history of Black liberation.” Los Angeles Times 

Award-winning journalist Santi Elijah Holley brings us a long overdue look at the Shakur family who, for over fifty years, have inspired generations of activists, scholars, and music fans. An Amerikan Family is the history of the fight for Black liberation in the United States, as experienced by the Shakurs. From Assata Shakur, the popular author and thinker, living for three decades in Cuban exile to the late, great rapper Tupac to roots in the Black Panther movement, and beyond, the Shakurs have been at the forefront of fighting for racial justice in the United States.  

Holley will be in conversation with American academic, civic leader, and founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter Dr. Melina Abdullah. 

Santi Elijah Holley

Santi Elijah Holley is an award-winning journalist and the author of An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created. His writing has appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including The Guardian, The Atlantic, The New Republic, Time, and The Washington Post. He lives in Los Angeles.

Melina Abdullah

Melina Abdullah is Professor of Pan-African Studies at Cal State LA, Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, Director of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, a leader in the California Faculty Association (the faculty union), and mama of three children. Dr. Abdullah earned her Ph.D. from the USC in Political Science and her B.A. from Howard University in African American Studies. Abdullah has authored numerous articles and book chapters, is the creator, host, and producer of the radio programs Move the Crowd on KPFK 90.7 FM and This Is Not a Drill! on KBLA Talk 1580, and is a recognized expert on race, gender, class, and social movements.

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