Dr. Tchaka Muhammed, Beloved Activist And Educator, Passes

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff WriterDuring libation ceremonies at local African-centered events, Dr. Tchaka Muhammed would often call out the name of his beloved grandmother Ethel Colter, in acknowledgement of the impact she had on his life.People will now speak his name, as the community advocate and cultural historian joined the ancestors Oct. 22. Dr. Muhammed was 82.Dr. Muhammed came to Sacramento by way of Oakland and his native Coffeyville, Kansas.He served in the Marines and later was employed as supervisor for the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development before retiring in 2001. Dr. Muhammed also carved out a niche as an entrepreneur, selling hand-carved Afrocentric walking sticks.His true love was working in the community.“He would have given his life for this community,” said his daughter Kairis Joy Colter-Chiaji, a local doula.Dr. Muhammed was known as the founding father of the Birthing Project and helped creator Kathryn Hall expand her fight for better birth outcomes for Black women nationally. When he won a major lottery jackpot in 2006, he covered the cost of Hall’s salary for two years. He also supported her efforts to provide free tuition for American students at a Cuban medical school.As an “edu-tainer,”...