On April 16, 1947, basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. in New York City. A dominant force from high school to the NBA, he went on to win six championships and become the league’s all-time leading scorer for decades. Off the court, Abdul-Jabbar became equally respected for his activism, scholarship, and outspoken stance on social justice. He converted to Islam and changed his name in 1971, embracing both his faith and cultural identity. His influence extended far beyond basketball, making him a towering figure in American sports, thought, and Black history.
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