Naima Mora

photo by Prphotos

Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Date of Birth: March 1, 1984

Ethnicity: Mexican, African-American, Native American, Irish

Naima Mora is an American fashion model. She won Cycle 4 of America’s Next Top Model.

She is the daughter of Theresa Mora, a jazz vocalist and entrepreneur, and Francisco Mora Catlett, a jazz percussionist.

Naima’s paternal grandfather was named Francisco “Pancho” Mora Perez. Franciso was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and was a weaver, musician, and painter, of the “Mexican School” of mural painters.

Naima’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Catlett (Alice Elizabeth Catlett, the daughter of James/John H. Cattlet and Mary Carson). Elizabeth was born in Washington, D.C., and was a sculptor, painter, printmaker, and graphic artist. She was African-American; she made a black marble bust entitled Naima in 2001, based on her granddaughter. She was also known as Elizabeth Catlett Mora. James was the son of David Catlett and Louisa/Louise Jamison/Junerson.

Sources: Naima’s maternal grandmother, Alice Elizabeth Catlett, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Naima’s maternal great-great-grandparents, David Catlett and Louisa/Louise Jamison/Junerson, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org