Akua Njeri (formerly known as Deborah Johnson; born 1949/50) is an American writer, activist and former member of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party.

Throughout her teen years she participated in civil rights marches and protests against housing conditions in Chicago.

[2] Shortly after 4:00 am on December 4, 1969, the Chicago Police Department, carrying out a raid connected with the COINTELPRO project, stormed the apartment at 2337 West Monroe Street where Hampton, Njeri and several other Panther members slept.

Recounting the raid, she describes hearing the first shots near the front of the apartment[5] and immediately attempting to shield Hampton with her body.

[1] Njeri and other survivors of the raid were arrested, charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault, and held on $100,000 bail.

[2] Hampton and Clark's families and the survivors filed a civil case against the Chicago Police Department and the FBI.

[6] In 1983, the city of Chicago, Cook County, and the federal government agreed to pay a $1.8 million settlement to the seven survivors and to the families of the two victims.

He "respected and loved" Hampton Sr. as a figure while not fully understanding the scope of his work and the reasons he was targeted by law enforcement.

[10] Njeri is the chairperson of the December 4th Committee, which "fights to defend and maintain the legacy of the Black Panther Party and what really happened on that fateful morning [of Hampton and Clark's assassination]."

The two organizations also collaborate to recognize International Revolutionary Day on the anniversary of the December 4th assassination of Hampton and Clark.

[11][2] Njeri makes speaking appearances,[11][2] and co-authored a proposal to name a Chicago block "Chairman Fred Hampton Way".

[11] She served as the president of the National People's Democratic Uhuru Movement, an "interracial organization dedicated to self-determination for Black Americans.

[12] The 2021 American feature film Judas and the Black Messiah tells the story of Hampton's rise and fall, and William O'Neal's role as informant.