The above image, Shahjahan S. McCaskill, was created by artist Stephanie Smith as part of the 2021-2022 Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibition.
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Shahjahan Shaquar Ali Vaughn McCaskill was born Dec. 26, 1993 and raised by his mother, Najila Zainab McCaskill Ali, in West Philadelphia. When he was three years old, he met Jarell Jackson at B&J Daycare, and they remained best friends for the rest of their lives.
Shahjahan loved playing all sports. He started baseball when he was 5, then played football from ages 7 to 13. In middle and high school, he was into basketball , and his mother still has all of the trophies and certificates he collected over the years.
Shahjahan attended Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School at 67th and Haverford. Najila started to lose her eyesight, and so when Shahjahan was 14, they moved to Michigan so she could receive treatment.
While there, Shahjahan graduated from Star International Academy in Dearborn Heights, MI in 2012, then enrolled at Wayne State University as a finance major.
When he was 22 and a junior in college, he noticed a lump in his neck. It was stage 3 cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes.
Shahjahan’s longtime friend Sharif Tarver remembers watching helplessly as he navigated his illness.
“It was hard to see him get super skinny and lose his hair,” Sharif said. “I thought I could lose him.”
Keeping fit was important to Shahjahan, and exercise helped him as he battled cancer. He was a fixture at LA Fitness and posted shirtless gym selfies on social media.
Shahjahan’s story of how he overcame cancer serves as an inspiration for many, including Rhonda Coleman, his nephew’s mother.
“He was a fighter. Whatever he wanted, he went after it,” she said. “He never felt like there were things he couldn’t do. Even when situations weren’t the best, he would still try to find the best in them.”
Shahjahan endured 2 ½ years of cancer treatment, then in July 2017, while back home in West Philly, he received the good news that his cancer was in remission.
He wanted to continue his education at Temple University, but he needed a year of Pennsylvania residency to qualify for in-state tuition. He put that on hold and went to live with his uncle in Delaware, where he worked as a bartender at TGIFriday’s.
Shahjahan working behind the bar at TGIFriday’s.
In 2018, he launched his own cleaning business, Moor Commercial Cleaning, and hired young people who needed direction in life, including his younger cousins. He wanted to see others live up to their potential.
“He enjoyed having his own business,” Najila said. “He enjoyed making money. He just wanted to be successful, that’s all.”
Shahjahan ultimately graduated from Villanova University with a masters degree in finance in June 2020.
Music was a big part of Shahjahan’s life. Sharif remembers how much his friend loved Kanye West’s CD Graduation in particular. Shahjahan started writing his own music and recording songs and videos under the name Shah Slater, which are available on SoundCloud and YouTube.
In October of last year, Shahjahan and his best friend Jarell went on a trip to Puerto Rico. Jarell, who had a psychology degree from Bloomsburg University with a degree in psychology, worked at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Camden, helping adolescents struggling with mental health disorders.
“They were achievers,” Najila said.
Shahjahan and Jarrel
Shahjahan and Jarell made the most out of the trip, exploring the beaches, hang gliding and jet skiing. Jarell’s mother picked them up from the airport on Oct. 27 and drove them to West Philly.
Jarell grabbed his keys to drive Shahjahan home, and as he waited to pull out of a parking spot at Cecil and Locust, a black SUV drove past, then made a quick U-turn.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted, killing both Shahjahan and Jarell.
Four teenagers, ages 15 to 18, were arrested. They were attempting to retaliate against a rival group for an earlier homicide, and Shahjahan and Jarell happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“Shahjahan was family, and it’s painful,” Sharif said. “He lived in the moment and he was very goal-oriented. That’s how people should remember him.”
Since Shahjahan has been gone, Najila listens to his music nearly every day. It brings her comfort, as does her Muslim faith.
“In my faith, when we are born, it’s already written when we are going to die,” Najila said. “That’s what keeps me strong. Shahjahan and Jarell are together, and we’re okay with that.”
