Elva Lee C. Abdal-Khallaq

Early life and education

Abdal-Khallaq was born in Baldwin, Louisiana. She was raised in Houston, Texas, and went to high school there. Abdal-Khallaq married her husband, Malik, and moved to Boston, Massachusetts.

Career In Boston, Abdal-Khallaq co-founded A Nubian Notion with her husband. situated in the Dudley Square area of Roxbury, it was a prominent Afro-centric store in Boston for many years. In the 1990s, the store opened another location in Ruggles station. Both locations have since closed.

In addition, Abdal-Khallaq taught at several community schools.

Honors and awards In 2023, Abdal-Khallaq was recognized as one of "Boston’s most admired, beloved, and successful Black Women leaders" by the Black Women Lead project.