Many change agents working for the betterment of Black people do so without the spotlight or fanfare.
Reverend George Milligan (Baba Yawo Abdul) was one of those heroes. On Dec. 22, 2025, he made his transition to the realm of the African ancestors. He was 83 years old.
“For nearly 50 years, Baba Yawo stood as a mighty pillar within the Houston activist community,” said National Black United Front (NBUF) Chairman, Kofi Taharka. “If there was a cause worth fighting for within the Black community, Baba Yawo was in the trenches taking a stand.
“In terms of membership in NBUF, Baba Yawo is in a league with the best of the best; our platinum standard.”
Kofi Taharka, NBUF National Chairman
“In terms of membership in NBUF, Baba Yawo is in a league with the best of the best; our platinum standard.”
Journey to Houston
Born March 19, 1942, Baba Yayo came to Houston around 1960 from the small northern Louisiana town of Mansfield, after graduating from high school, seeking better economic opportunities. He served in the U.S. military, retired from the U.S. Postal Service, and was a brick mason by trade.
While working at the post office, Baba Yawo’s activism and community service increased when he became a founding member of NBUF’s Houston Chapter in 1980. He proudly served as the chapter Chaplain.
Areas of impact
A short list of the community efforts he participated in includes:
- Free Clarence Brandley Coalition
- Ida Delaney/Byron Gillum Justice Coalition
- Shaka Sankofa/Gary Graham Justice Coalition
- Local Organizing Committee, Million Man March
- The DURBAN 400
- Local Action Committee for Reparations
- Task Force for the #Sugarland95
- Campaign to SAVE the SOUTHMORE Post Office
- Black Justice Tuesday Coalition
- Fight to stop the closure of Black schools in HISD
- Renovating and maintaining NBUF’s Houston HQ, “The Black House”
- FEED the HOOD
- Njoya/Weusi African-Centered Saturday School
- Acoli/Sankofa Self-Determination Community Garden
- Black Power Study Group
- Freedom of Political Prisoners
- Free South Africa Movement
- We Charge Genocide Campaign
- Sankofa Caravan to the Ancestors
- Justice for Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, Pamela Turner, George Floyd, and many others
- Humanitarian Aid/Relief for survivors of disasters such as Ayiti (Haiti)/Rwanda Relief Day, Katrina, Ike, Allison, and Harvey
- SOUL SUNDAY’s Buy Black Market.
Baba Yawo’s work with NBUF took him across the U.S., to Ghana, West Africa, and to Azania (present-day South Africa) as part of the DURBAN 400 delegation to the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in 2001.
Baba Yawo received two of NBUF’s highest recognitions: The Maurice Bishop Pan-African Hero & Heroines Award and the Dr. Conrad Worrill Self-Determination Award.
Beloved and respected
“Baba Yawo was the best of the best, consistently supporting S.H.A.P.E. Community Center and many pro Black self-determination institutions and organizations in Houston. He was a great soldier in our movement,” said Deloyd Parker Jr., executive director and co-founder of S.H.A.P.E. Community Center.
“Everything Baba Yawo did carried the intention and precision of a brick mason,” said Foldae Madzimoyo, NBUF Houston Chapter secretary. “He built with purpose, and he built to last.
“He was principled, deeply committed, loving, and a true warrior for African people.”
Baba Yawo was an active member of the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, Rosewood Civic Club, and the Herman E. Rochelle Post 827 American Legion.
“He was a quiet man in terms of talking with deep convictions about social justice and community service; thus, his actions spoke loudly and boldly for his love of God, his family, and his people,” shared Taharka. “Our community looks to him now in the spiritual whirlwind to aid us in our fight for total liberation.”
Baba Yawo is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Lettie Milligan; his daughter, Phyllis Renee Menephee; an older brother and sister living in California; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, several siblings, and a daughter, Rosalind Alexander.
More words of honor for Baba Yawo
“Baba Yawo was part of the historic Durban 400 delegation, participating through the leadership of Conrad Worrill, chairman of the National Black United Front. Through the Durban 400’s disciplined intervention at the 2001 United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, we were successful in having slavery and colonialism declared crimes against humanity and in advancing a global framework for Black self-determination and human rights in the tradition of Malcolm X Baba is forever a part of that legacy. Rest in Power.” (Attorney Mawuli Mel Davis, Atlanta, Georgia; Durban 400/NBUF member)
“Baba Yawo was, is, and always will be a treasured warrior/servant in the Black struggle for liberation. He was one of the few who walked it more than he talked it. His life is a profound example of selfless service, unconditional commitment, and quiet warriorship. I believe that his love for his people and his desire to see us free was at the root of his decades of dedication to our struggle. May the seeds that he planted continue to grow beyond the grave.” (Deric Muhammad, Smart’n Up Black Male Summit)
“I came to know Baba Yawo Abdul through my interactions with NBUF Houston. What I noticed most is that Baba Yawo, with his quiet presence, was always on duty. I saw him as a member that every organization needs—dedicated and ready to perform whatever task he was called upon to do. He was a true soldier in our Black liberation movement.” (Mickey Dean, NBUF Kansas City)
“It is with sadness that I received the message that Baba Yawo Abdul has made his transition. Nearly three decades ago, I originally met and got to know him as Reverend George Milligan, and knew him as an elder. However, Baba Yawo was unlike any other elder as he had the energy and swagger of a man decades his junior. He was a quiet man, at least from my vantage point, but he was a prime mover in the Houston chapter. Each time that I would see him, I would be greeted with that big smile and a soul-brotha handshake. Baba Yawo represented Houston everywhere… We will miss him greatly and continue to call his name as one of our unsung liberation heroes.” (Toriono Granger, former NBUF National Secretary, Chicago)
