Mike Africa, Jr.
Activist, Subject of ‘40 Years a Prisoner,’ Author, Speaker
Mike Africa Jr. is a passionate advocate for justice, a motivational speaker, and the Legacy Director for The MOVE Organization. He is the star of HBO Max’s 40 Years a Prisoner, a documentary following Mike as he works to free his parents from prison after forty years of incarceration. He is also the author of the upcoming HarperCollins release, Ona Move.
Born in a Philadelphia prison amidst a police raid on his family's home, Mike's early years were marked by the activism of his parents, members of The MOVE Organization, a group founded by the visionary John Africa.
MOVE aimed to address the suffering of all life, they advocated for animal rights, environmental protections, and an end to pollution. Mike's parents faced persecution for their involvement in the organization's activities, each ultimately receiving 100-year maximum sentences.
The tragic turning point for MOVE came on May 13, 1985. At age six, Mike watched as the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb on the house where MOVE activists and their families lived. The bomb resulted in a fire that claimed the lives of 11 members, including children.
Mike has shared many stages with activists and celebrities such as Marc Lamont Hill, Tarana Burke, Ramona Africa, Dead Prez, Danny Glover, Michael Franti, Public Enemy, Rage Against the Machine and countless others, tackling issues such as mass incarceration, police brutality, climate change and many other social injustices.
His journey, marked by persistence and resilience, showcases the ongoing struggle for justice and the relentless pursuit of a better world. Through his work, Mike continues to amplify his message and that of the MOVE organization, carrying forward the legacy and its commitment to life, justice, and freedom.