According to his family, Elijah Muhammad is the youngest African American to earn a college degree in computer science and cybersecurity. According to WLOX News, Muhammad created history when he graduated from college at the age of 13 and walked across the stage. The record-breaker also holds four diplomas from Oklahoma City Community College, 10 IBM certificates, and a Google IT certification.
“I currently attend OSU [Ohio State University] and I’m working on my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and forensics. I also attend Langston with a 4.0,” Muhammad said.
Despite his many accomplishments, he makes time for recreation like other teenagers do by playing basketball and going swimming. The 12-year-old native of Oklahoma made history last year when he became the state’s youngest Black college student. Muhammad said in an interview with KFOR that when he revealed his age to his classmates during his first lecture at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), they were shocked.
And though Muhammad’s achievement is laudable, he’s not the only person in his family to attain this academic milestone. His sister Shania enrolled at OCCC when she was just 13. And besides being the youngest person to gain admission at the time, Shania also became the college’s youngest graduate. She was 14 when she graduated. Their father said at the time that the two siblings liked going against each other. “When he sees her accomplish certain things, he’s like I’m up next and I can do it,” Elijah Sr said. “We are the cheering section for our scholars.”
Outside academics, 13-year-old Muhammad runs a clothing line and is a three-time wrestling State champion.