Shaykh Ali is a 75-year-old elder, former Black Panther Party member, and political prisoner who spent 46 years behind bars—over 20 of them in solitary confinement under some of the harshest and most dehumanizing conditions imaginable. He witnessed men around him lose their lives to despair, yet he held onto his will and dignity, guided by the words of George Jackson: “You’ll never count me among the broken men.”

After nearly half a century of survival, Shaykh Ali came home to Wilmington, Delaware on April 19, 2023. His return to a world profoundly changed since the 1970s has been both a blessing and a struggle. Many of his closest family members and loved ones passed away while he was still trapped behind prison walls. The reentry support programs have fallen short, leaving him to navigate housing, health care, and the daily realities of survival largely on his own. Today, Shaykh Ali is in urgent need of support to cover his rent and utility bills, so that he can live with stability and dignity in his elder years.

Despite his age and the lasting scars of incarceration, Shaykh Ali continues to serve the people. Through his grassroots nonprofit, The Village of the Elders, he works to pass on wisdom, build community, and guide the next generation toward justice, healing, and liberation. His life embodies resilience, sacrifice, and service—and now he needs our support in return.

Every dollar helps ensure that this warrior, who never lost his honor despite unspeakable conditions, can live with housing security, basic necessities, and the peace of mind he deserves. Your contribution is not only an investment in his life, but in the ongoing struggle for justice, dignity, and collective liberation.