Afeni Shakur, the mother of the late rap icon Tupac Shakur, passed away on May 2, 2016 at the age of 69. She died at a hospital in Greenbrae, California after going into cardiac arrest at her home earlier in the evening. Her body was cremated.

Afeni Shakur was born Alice Faye Williams in Lumberton, North Carolina in 1947. She was raised in the Bronx, New York, and was an active member of the Black Panther Party in the late 1960s. She was arrested in 1969 and charged with conspiracy to bomb several public buildings, but was acquitted of all charges in 1971.

Shakur was a strong advocate for social justice and was passionate about helping young people realize their potential. She was a mentor to many, including her son Tupac, who often spoke of her influence in his music. After Tupac’s death in 1996, Shakur became an even more vocal advocate for social justice, speaking out against violence and racism.

Shakur was also an advocate for the arts. She founded the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation in 1997, which provided grants to young artists and helped to fund the performing arts. She also established the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, Georgia, which provides art classes and workshops to children and young adults.

Shakur was also a philanthropist, donating to numerous charities and causes. She was a board member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and a supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She also established the Amaru Entertainment record label, which released several of Tupac’s posthumous albums.

Shakur was married twice. Her first marriage was to Lumumba Abdul Shakur, with whom she had two children, Sekyiwa and Tupac. Her second marriage was to Gust Davis, with whom she had a daughter, Nzingha.

Shakur was a beloved figure in the hip-hop community and was respected for her strength and courage. She shared with people her experiences and ways in which to overcome loss. She was an inspiration to many and her legacy will live on.

Shakur’s death was a shock to the hip-hop community, but her memory will live on through her music, her activism, and her philanthropy. She was a strong woman who fought for what she believed in and was an inspiration to many. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.