Sankara Alafia is the son of actress Yaya DaCosta and filmmaker Joshua Bee Alafia. He was born in September 2013. Because his parents are public figures, many people search for sankara alafia to learn who he is.
Even though his name appears in the news now and then, Sankara has been kept mostly out of the spotlight. His parents share only select details. That is why most public facts about sankara alafia are simple and brief.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sankara Alafia |
| Date of Birth | September 2013 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 11 years old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Parents | Yaya DaCosta (actress, model), Joshua Bee Alafia (filmmaker) |
| Famous For | Being the son of actress Yaya DaCosta |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (African-American and Afro-Brazilian descent from mother) |
| Siblings | None (only child) |
| Notable Fact | His name “Sankara” means Creator, Bliss Giver, Remover of Doubt, King of Unity |
Name and meaning why “Sankara”?
The name Sankara drew a lot of attention when it was shared. Joshua Alafia explained the meaning when his son was born. He said the name carries ideas like “creator,” “bliss giver,” and “remover of doubt.” Those ideas are part of why the name felt right to his family.
Names often tell a small story. For sankara alafia, the name is meant to hold calm, strength, and unity. That meaning is one reason the name has stuck in articles and search results about the child.
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Parents & family background
Sankara’s mother, Yaya DaCosta, first gained fame as a runner-up on America’s Next Top Model. She later built a steady acting career. Fans know her for roles on Chicago Med and for playing Whitney Houston in the Lifetime film Whitney. Because of her work, many readers look up sankara alafia when they read about Yaya.
His father, Joshua Bee Alafia, is known for his work behind the camera. He has made films and has been involved in creative projects. Yaya and Joshua were together around the time Sankara was born. Public reports say the couple later split. Through it all, sankara alafia stayed their shared priority.
Public life and privacy
Sankara Alafia is a minor. His family has tried to protect his privacy. That means you will not find long daily updates or personal details about him online. Most mentions of sankara alafia appear in profiles about Yaya DaCosta or in short news items from when he was born.
When celebrities have children, fans get curious. That is natural. But many parents — like Sankara’s — choose to share only safe, public moments. If you search for sankara alafia, you will mostly see a few photos and short, respectful articles.
Public Appearances of Sankara Alafia
Even though his parents are well-known, Sankara Alafia has not been in the public eye very much. From time to time, a few photos of him with his mom have appeared online. For example, Yaya DaCosta once shared moments of her son at play, showing how she enjoys being a mother. These small glimpses remind fans that behind the spotlight, she is also just a loving parent.
You may notice that most stories about sankara alafia are very short. That is because Yaya and Joshua choose to keep his life private. They give fans just enough to know that he is happy and growing but never too much detail.
Yaya DaCosta on Motherhood
Yaya has spoken in interviews about how motherhood changed her. She said that becoming a parent helped her grow and gave her a new sense of balance. For her, raising Sankara has been both a challenge and a gift.
When fans see Yaya on screen, they often wonder how she manages it all. She has said that family always comes first. That means even with her busy career, she finds time for her son. This is one reason why sankara alafia is often linked to her story — he is at the heart of her life.
Life After the Parents’ Separation
Yaya and Joshua’s relationship ended a few years after Sankara was born. Many people thought they were married, but Yaya later explained they were never legally married. They separated in 2015 but remained connected as parents.
For sankara alafia, this meant growing up with love from both sides. While his parents moved on with their lives, they both cared deeply about his happiness. Stories about them show that even after a split, family bonds can stay strong.
Why Fans Still Search His Name
Even in 2025, people keep searching for sankara alafia. They want to know his age, see updated photos, or read about his family background. This happens because fans are curious about children of celebrities.
At the same time, the family’s choice to keep things private means that only a small amount of information is available. And that is important. It shows respect for a child’s personal life while still letting fans know the basics.
Who is Joshua Bee Alafia?
Joshua Bee Alafia is a filmmaker, writer, and meditation teacher who has been part of the creative world for many years. He is best known by the public as the former partner of actress and model Yaya DaCosta, with whom he shares a son, Sankara Alafia.
Joshua has worked behind the camera on independent films and projects that explore culture, identity, and spirituality. Beyond filmmaking, he is also deeply involved in teaching mindfulness and meditation, which reflects his passion for inner growth and healing.
His creative and spiritual sides often come together in his work, making him stand out as more than just a director but also as a guide who helps others find balance in life. Even though he is not as widely known as mainstream Hollywood figures, Joshua Bee Alafia has earned respect for his unique voice in film and his commitment to wellness and community.
Who is Yaya DaCosta?
Yaya DaCosta is an American actress and model who first became widely known as the runner-up on Cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004. Born on November 15, 1982, in New York City, she quickly moved from modeling into a successful acting career.
aya has appeared in both television and film, with some of her most memorable roles being in The Kids Are All Right (2010), Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013), and as the beloved nurse April Sexton on the NBC medical drama Chicago Med (2015–2021). She also gained attention for her powerful performance as Whitney Houston in the 2015 Lifetime biopic Whitney.
Beyond her acting career, Yaya is admired for her elegance, intelligence, and ability to take on diverse roles that highlight her range as an actress. She is also the mother of Sankara Alafia, her son with filmmaker Joshua Bee Alafia, and has spoken openly about how motherhood has shaped her life and career.
How old is Sankara Alafia?
Sankara Alafia was born in September 2013, which makes him 11 years old as of 2025. Even though he is still very young, people often search for his age because of the public attention around his parents, actress Yaya DaCosta and filmmaker Joshua Bee Alafia. Since he is a child of celebrities, fans want to keep track of his milestones and how quickly he is growing.
However, his family has been careful to keep most details about his life private, so his age is one of the few confirmed facts that can be shared openly. At 11 years old, Sankara is still enjoying his childhood away from the spotlight, while his parents continue to focus on raising him with love and balance.
Final Thoughts on Sankara Alafia
Sankara Alafia may not be a public figure, but his name often appears because of who his parents are. He was born into a family where art, film, and television are a big part of life. Still, his parents have worked hard to make sure he enjoys a childhood that is as normal as possible.
If you search for sankara alafia today, you will find short bios, simple updates, and gentle reminders of his family background. And maybe that is the best way — enough to satisfy curiosity, but also enough to keep his childhood safe and protected.
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FAQs
Who is Sankara Alafia?
Sankara Alafia is the son of American actress and model Yaya DaCosta and filmmaker Joshua Bee Alafia. He was born in September 2013 and is often mentioned in media due to his famous parents.
How old is Sankara Alafia?
As of 2025, Sankara Alafia is 11 years old.
Who are Sankara Alafia’s parents?
His mother is Yaya DaCosta, best known for her role on Chicago Med and as Whitney Houston in the Lifetime biopic Whitney. His father is Joshua Bee Alafia, a filmmaker and meditation teacher.
What is the meaning of the name Sankara?
According to Joshua Alafia, “Sankara” carries profound meanings such as Creator, Bliss Giver, Introspection, Remover of Doubt, and King of Unity.
Does Sankara Alafia have siblings?
No, Sankara is an only child of Yaya DaCosta and Joshua Bee Alafia.
Was Yaya DaCosta married to Joshua Bee Alafia?
Although many believed they were married, Yaya DaCosta clarified that she and Joshua were never legally married. They were in a long-term relationship and separated in 2015.
Disclaimer
This article about Sankara Alafia: Yaya DaCosta’s Son | Age, Parents, Biography & Facts is based on publicly available information and reliable sources. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. We respect the privacy of Sankara Alafia, as he is a minor, and no private or personal details beyond what has been shared publicly are included.
