Sekyiwa Shakur has been nicknamed “Set” since childhood, the same name Tupac slipped into his songs. Reducing her journey to this fraternal link ignores a path built on activism, managing a complex legacy, and a public positioning that far exceeds the realm of hip-hop.
Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation: the pivot towards youth mental health
The TASF (Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation) has undergone a strategic repositioning under Sekyiwa’s leadership. The foundation is no longer limited to preserving Tupac’s artistic legacy. It now carries emotional well-being and trauma healing programs aimed at racially marginalized youth.
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This mental health aspect is almost absent from French-language articles about the Shakur family. Most focus on the lawsuit related to the estate or the biographical link with Tupac, without documenting the concrete work of the foundation.
Sekyiwa has directed the TASF towards social justice and grief, two subjects that resonate directly with her own story. Losing a murdered brother and then a mother (Afeni Shakur, who passed away in 2016) has fueled an approach where family trauma becomes a lever for collective action. To better understand the story of Tupac’s sister Sekyiwa Shakur, one must look beyond the family chronicle and examine what she is building.
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Sekyiwa Shakur at the Hollywood Walk of Fame: an official representative role
On June 7, 2023, during the inauguration of Tupac’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it was Sekyiwa who delivered the main speech. Not a manager, not a musical collaborator, not another family member. She symbolically received the star in front of the cameras.
This ceremony publicly solidified her position. Since then, event organizers related to the Shakur legacy have systematically introduced her as “Sekyiwa ‘Set’ Shakur, keeper of his legacy”. This unofficial title structures all communication around Tupac’s memory.
Appearances beyond the hip-hop sphere
Her image has crossed the boundaries of rap culture. Sekyiwa appeared at a major league baseball stadium, signaling a shift towards broader American pop culture. This expanded visibility consolidates her credibility as a spokesperson on issues of cultural heritage, not just musical.
Sekyiwa Shakur and the lawsuit against the executor: legal stakes
In 2022, Sekyiwa filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the executor of their mother Afeni Shakur’s estate. The accusation involved embezzlement amounting to millions, according to Billboard, which covered the case.
The grievances were not limited to the financial aspect. Sekyiwa also accused the executor of refusing to return personal items of Tupac’s, including his gold records. These items held considerable sentimental value, according to her.
- Embezzlement of funds from Afeni Shakur’s estate, with amounts described as “millions” in the complaint
- Retention of Tupac’s personal items (gold records, family memorabilia) by the executor
- Action taken jointly with the Tupac Shakur Foundation, linking the legal battle to the mission of preserving the legacy
This lawsuit illustrates a common reality in managing celebrity estates: relatives must legally fight to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Sekyiwa chose the judicial path rather than private mediation, making the case public.
Shakur lineage and activism: a family political legacy
Reducing Sekyiwa to “Tupac’s sister” erases a deeply political family context. Afeni Shakur, their mother, was a long-time activist of the Black Panther Party. Assata Shakur, Tupac’s godmother, is on the FBI’s most wanted list and lives in exile in Cuba after escaping prison.
Lumumba Shakur led the Harlem chapter of the Black Panthers. The Shakur family embodies several generations of radical activism in the United States. Sekyiwa fits into this lineage, with different means but the same orientation towards social justice.
Engagement during the George Floyd protests
In 2020, Sekyiwa participated in the protests for George Floyd in California. She collapsed during a rally and was evacuated by relatives. This episode, shared on social media, highlighted the physical and emotional dimension of her commitment.
- Active participation in the 2020 protests in California, continuing the family activism
- Leading the TASF with a focus on social justice and mental health for youth
- Regular public speaking on issues of grief, trauma, and community resilience
Sekyiwa does not replicate her mother’s or godmother’s activism. She adapts it to a context where mental health and emotional well-being have become central issues for African American communities. Her journey connects three generations of Shakur engagement, from the armed militancy of the Panthers to collective healing through the foundation.
The name Shakur remains associated with Tupac in the collective imagination. Sekyiwa is constructing another interpretation of this name, rooted in grassroots work and the official representation of a legacy that is not limited to her brother’s discography.