Askia Muhammad facts for kids

Askia Muhammad (born Charles K. Moreland) was an important American writer, journalist, and poet. He was born in March 1945, in Yazoo, Mississippi. Askia Muhammad was known for his work in radio, newspapers, and for his powerful poetry. He passed away on February 17, 2022, at the age of 76.

Who Was Askia Muhammad?

Askia Muhammad was a talented person who worked in many different areas of media. He was a poet, which means he wrote poems. He was also a journalist, someone who gathers and reports news. Besides that, he produced radio shows and shared his opinions as a commentator. He even took pictures as a photojournalist.

A Voice on the Radio

Askia Muhammad was a well-known voice on National Public Radio (NPR). NPR is a big radio network in the United States. He often shared his thoughts and ideas as a commentator on their programs. His commentaries were like short, spoken essays where he talked about important topics.

Writing for Newspapers

Askia Muhammad also had a long career working for newspapers. He was an editor for a newspaper called Muhammad Speaks. An editor is in charge of what goes into a newspaper. Later, he led the Washington office for The Final Call, another important newspaper. He also wrote columns for Washington Informer, sharing his views with readers.

His Published Book

Beyond his work in radio and newspapers, Askia Muhammad was also an author. He wrote a book titled Behind Enemy Lines. This book shared his insights and experiences.

Awards and Recognition

Askia Muhammad's hard work and talent were recognized many times. He received several awards from the National Association of Black Journalists. This group celebrates excellent work by Black journalists. He won first place awards for his radio commentaries, including "Mississippi and My Memories" and "Mike Tyson: Check Yourself." He also earned a third place award for his commentary about the "Ethel Payne Postage Stamp." These awards show how much his work was valued.

Later Life

Askia Muhammad continued to share his voice and ideas throughout his life. He died peacefully at his home in February 2022. He left behind a legacy of important contributions to journalism, poetry, and public commentary.