Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan in 2011, photo by DFree/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Yvette Marie Stevens

Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 23, 1953

Ethnicity: African-American

Chaka Khan is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actress.

Chaka is the daughter of Sandra Coleman and Charles Stevens. She was raised in an artistic, politically-involved household in Hyde Park, with a beatnik father. The name Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi was given to her by a Yoruba Baba in 1969.

She has two children.

Chaka’s paternal grandfather was Charles Alexander Stevens (the son of Charles A. Stevens and Anna Pierce). Chaka’s grandfather Charles was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to parents from North Carolina.

Chaka’s paternal grandmother was Emily Marie Dennis (the daughter of Antonio/Antino Dennis and Sarah Ford). Emily was born in Alexandria, Louisiana. Antonio was the son of James Harrison Dennis and Emily Elizabeth Hudson.

Chaka’s maternal grandfather was Elmer Manard Page/Paige (the son of Menard Paige and Naomi Woodson). Elmer was born in Hamilton, Missouri. Naomi was the daughter of Levi Woodson and Mary Champ.

Chaka’s maternal grandmother was Maude Mary Elder (the daughter of Emmett Elder and Sallie Mae Watkins/Heard). Maude was born in Georgia. Emmett was the son of Sambo Elder and Anna Elder. Sallie was the daughter of Sophie Heartsfield.