Mike Africa Jr.: A Lifelong Advocate for MOVE Justice and Resilience

Mike Africa Jr. (born Michael Ward in 1979) is a Philadelphia-based activist, author, speaker, and filmmaker whose advocacy is deeply rooted in the legacy of the MOVE organization—a Black liberation group founded in 1972 by his great-uncle John Africa, emphasizing environmentalism, animal rights, anti-oppression, and communal living. Born in prison to MOVE 9 members Debbie and Michael Africa Sr. (who were convicted in the 1978 Powelton Village shootout that killed Officer James Ramp), Mike was separated from his mother just a week after birth and raised by his grandmother. At age 6, he survived the 1985 MOVE bombing—the only police aerial bombing on U.S. soil—which killed 11 MOVE family members (including five children) and destroyed 61 homes in West Philadelphia. His advocacy, which intensified around 2016, centers on freeing political prisoners, preserving MOVE's history, combating systemic racism and police brutality, and promoting personal and communal healing. As of 2025, he serves as MOVE's Legacy Director, owner of the bombed Osage Avenue site, and a prominent voice in social justice circles.

Core Advocacy EffortsMike's work blends personal storytelling with grassroots organizing, media production, and public education to humanize MOVE members, challenge state narratives, and inspire action. Key pillars include:
  • Freeing the MOVE 9 Political Prisoners
    Mike's most visible campaign targeted the release of the MOVE 9—nine members (including his parents) sentenced to 30–100 years in 1980 for Ramp's death, despite ballistics evidence suggesting friendly fire. Starting in 2016, he lobbied Pennsylvania's Board of Pardons, organized protests, and built coalitions with groups like Amnesty International and the Human Rights Campaign. His efforts led to the parole of all seven surviving members between 2018 and 2023:
    • Debbie Africa (his mother): June 2018 (after 40 years).
    • Michael Africa Sr. (his father): October 2018.
    • Janet and Janine Africa: May 2019.
    • Eddie Africa: May 2019.
    • Delbert Africa: January 2020 (died of cancer six months later).
    • Chuck Africa: October 2023 (after 45 years; died of cancer in 2024).
      These releases were hailed as victories against mass incarceration, with Mike crediting persistent advocacy and public pressure.

      In a 2023 X post, he celebrated reclaiming the bombed MOVE house at 6221 Osage Avenue from city ownership via eminent domain, turning it into a potential memorial site (crowdfunded through GoFundMe).

      @MikeAfricaJr
  • Preserving and Reimagining MOVE's Legacy
    As Legacy Director, Mike launched the MOVE Activist Archive in 2020 to counter media distortions and state criminalization of MOVE. Housed in a 75-linear-foot collection inherited from family archivist Louise James Africa (d. 2019), it includes bombing artifacts, John Africa's writings, prison letters, and protest materials. The archive aims to "tell MOVE’s story on its own terms," with exhibits like the 2024 "Curating a Movement" at the Philadelphia Partisan highlighting MOVE's environmental roots and resilience.

    He also leads "MOVE Reimagined," a forward-looking initiative discarding "impractical and disruptive" past behaviors while upholding John Africa's teachings on health, fitness, and life protection.

    chestnuthilllocal.com
  • Public Speaking and Motivational Resilience
    Mike is a dynamic "resilience speaker" delivering "Never Give Up" messages infused with music, poetry, and MOVE philosophy. He's shared stages with figures like Tarana Burke (Me Too founder), Marc Lamont Hill, Danny Glover, Public Enemy, Rage Against the Machine, and Dead Prez, addressing mass incarceration, police brutality, climate justice, and Black family separation. Venues include the Smithsonian, University of Pennsylvania, and the Black Panther Party's 55th anniversary. His style—blending hip-hop rhythms with revolutionary history—has made him a staple at events like Know Your Rights camps.

  • Media and Storytelling Projects
    • Documentaries: Starred in HBO Max's 40 Years a Prisoner (2020), chronicling his parents' release, and featured in Audible's Summer of '85 (2023, narrated by Kevin Hart).
    • Book: On a Move: Philadelphia's Notorious Bombing and a Native Son’s Lifelong Battle for Justice (2024), a memoir blending MOVE history, his childhood trauma, and advocacy triumphs. It critiques overpolicing while envisioning MOVE's future; launched at Temple University with journalist Linn Washington Jr.

    • Podcast: Ona Move with Mike Africa, Jr. (launched 2021), exploring MOVE's "good, bad, and ugly" sides, medical neglect in prisons, and interviews (e.g., with Breakfast Club's Charlamagne tha God).

    • Collaborations: Co-founded the Black Philly Radical Collective; partnered with Philadelphia Printworks for 2020 merchandise supporting "Justice for MOVE."

  • Community and Health Initiatives
    Aligned with MOVE's fitness ethos, Mike runs the annual MOVE Day 5K and the 2024 "13 Run Challenge"—13 half-marathons honoring the 11 bombing victims, his parents' 40-year sentences, and resilience (e.g., a California tree-climbing run for 14-year-old victim Tree Africa). He supports children of incarcerated parents via a 10% Patreon pledge from his podcast.

    He also advocates for broader issues, like Mumia Abu-Jamal's release (#RunForMumia) and environmental justice.

    @MikeAfricaJr
Recent Developments (2024–2025)
  • Book Tour and Exhibits: Post-On a Move launch, Mike spoke at Red Emma's bookstore (October 2024) and Chestnut Hill events, emphasizing MOVE's evolution.

  • Running for Remembrance: Completed the 13 Run Challenge in late 2024, raising awareness for the bombing's 40th anniversary (May 13, 2025, now a city "Day of Reflection").

  • Ongoing Calls for Accountability: Pushes for official apologies (city issued one in 2021 for the bombing but not the 1978 raid) and medical neglect inquiries (e.g., deaths of Phil and Edward Africa in 2015).

    @MikeAfricaJr
    In 2025 X posts, he honors family birthdays and anniversaries, like Chuck Africa's (would-be 65th in 2025).

    @MikeAfricaJr
Impact and Personal PhilosophyMike's advocacy has humanized MOVE—from "terrorists" in media to eco-revolutionaries—securing releases, archives, and reparations discussions (e.g., 2005 $12.83M settlement for displaced residents). His "Ona Move" mantra (MOVE's slogan for "On the Move") embodies persistence: "Movement is life. One foot in front of the other reaching goals."


As he told Running for Real in 2024: "If you’re not angry at the state of the world, you’re either blind or insensitive."

runningforreal.com
Despite internal MOVE critiques (e.g., 2021 X post on leadership issues), he focuses on positivity and support for Black women and families.


To engage: Visit mikeafricajr.com for bookings, donations, or merch; follow
@MikeAfricaJr
on X (4,200+ followers) for updates; or join events like the MOVE Day 5K. His work continues John Africa's call: Protect life, demand justice.

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