Fred Hampton Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fred Hampton Jr.
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Hampton Jr. speaking at a 2018 anti-war rally in Oakland
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| Born |
Alfred Johnson
December 29, 1969 |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Known for | Prisoners of Conscience Committee/Black Panther Party Cubs (Chairman) |
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Fred Hampton Jr. (born Alfred Johnson; December 29, 1969) is an American activist from Chicago. He is known for leading groups like the Prisoners of Conscience Committee and the Black Panther Party Cubs. Fred Hampton Jr. is the only child of Fred Hampton, a well-known leader of the Black Panther Party. His father died in Chicago shortly before Fred Jr. was born. His mother is now known as Akua Njeri.
His Family and Early Life
Fred Hampton Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Fred Hampton and Deborah Johnson. His father was a leader in the Black Panther Party. Fred Jr. was born just 25 days after his father's death in 1969.
His mother first named him Alfred Johnson. When he was ten years old, she changed his name legally to "Fred Hampton Jr." She also changed her own name to Akua Njeri. This was because she felt a stronger connection to Africa. Many people in the Black Power movement wanted to change names they felt were "slave names."
Fred Hampton Jr. went to Tilden High School. He also studied journalism for a while at Olive–Harvey College.
What Does He Do Now?
In the late 1980s, Fred Hampton Jr. worked as an auto mechanic. He also spoke at rallies and helped organize for a group called the National People's Democratic Uhuru Movement. This group included people of different races. He also sold The Burning Spear, a newspaper linked to the African Socialist Party.
Today, he is the president and chairman of the Prisoners of Conscience Committee (POCC). He also leads the Black Panther Party Cubs (BPPC). This group is made up of the children and grandchildren of original Black Panther members. He works to bring people together from different backgrounds. Fred Hampton Jr. is also a spoken word artist and poet. He shares his life experiences through his art.
