My name is Mushen Kieta and I'm the 9th child of Sunjata and Kaluwa Kieta.

The Kieta Family is hoping for support during this difficult time.

On Wednesday, May 3rd at about 1:30 am, Sunjata Kieta passed away. Born Henry Whitlock Jr. in Gary Indiana, he was the oldest child of Henry and Edwina Whitlock, two prominent African Americans in the mid-1900s Gary Indiana. They owned the Gary American, were in politics, and were deeply rooted in their communities as business owners.

Sunjata grew up there, meeting his future wife Kaluwa Kieta, before moving around the country and eventually settling in Boston Massachusetts with their children. By 1990, the 9th child was born. As a father, he raised his children to be health conscious as vegans, disciplined as students of martial arts, creative as artists, and caring as a family.

Over the last few years, he's survived a heart attack and stroke but his health got progressively worse in recent months. We are devastated by this loss.

We are hoping for any assistance during this time to help bring him back to Boston and give him a proper burial amongst his family and friends. Anything helps.

Thank you.