The legacy of Assata Shakur continues to inspire activism and remembrance, as she would have turned 79 today. Despite her passing on September 25, 2025, her influence as a freedom fighter remains significant, urging ongoing efforts in the quest for justice and equality.
In a poignant gathering at Riverside Church in New York on May 30, Assata Shakur’s multifaceted life was celebrated—embracing her roles as a mother, grandmother, activist, author, and prominent figure within the Black Panther Party. “Carry It On” emerged as more than a phrase; it became a powerful call to action, echoing throughout the commemoration.
Honoring her memory, the Assata Shakur Archives Project has been established to preserve and share her legacy. The project seeks contributions of artifacts from supporters, encouraging engagement through the hashtag #AssataLives.
According to the Assata Shakur Memorial Committee, “The Assata Shakur Archives is a project dedicated to gathering, preserving, curating and sharing the digital and physical archives of activist, artist, mother, grandmother, poet, writer, revolutionary freedom fighter Assata Shakur.”
Assata Shakur, born Assata Olugbala Shakur, was an activist deeply involved with the Black Panther Party, the Republic of New Afrika, and the Black Liberation Army. Her activism led her to become a target of the U.S. government’s COINTELPRO (Counter-Intelligence Program), culminating in her escape from prison on November 2, 1979, with the aid of supporters, and subsequent political asylum in Cuba.
Her autobiography, Assata, An Autobiography, published in 1987, continues to be a significant educational resource, taught globally and translated into numerous languages.
On July 16, 2026, the committee encourages participation in sharing artifacts that illuminate Assata Shakur’s enduring legacy using the hashtag #AssataLives, providing a digital space for reflection and remembrance.
This initiative follows the recent Carry it On Assata Shakur Memorial at Riverside Church, where the memorial host committee committed to creating a lasting space for honoring and storytelling.
“More than anything, Assata belonged to her people. She taught us to refuse and reject erasure, to continue the work, and to always tell our own history. This project is one of the many ways we will ‘carry it on’,” the committee stated.
Assata’s enduring presence is felt, and her contributions remain cherished and celebrated.
SEE ALSO:
Carrying It On for Assata Shakur, The Embodiment Of Black Liberation
Assata Shakur: They Carried It On And Uplifted Her Name
