Shanga Hankerson is the son of singer, songwriter, and actress Gladys Maria Knight. Shanga’s mother who is also known as the “Empress of Soul”, was a member of Gladys Knight & the Pips (The Pips). She is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, winning four as a solo artist and three with the Pips. She has enjoyed #1 hits in Pop, Gospel, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, and has been successful in her work in films, television, and live performance.

Shanga Hankerson: Bio Summary

How Old Is Gladys Knight’s Son, Shanga Hankerson?

Shanga Ali Hankerson was born on August 1, 1976. He is 47 years old as of 2023. He is the only child of his parents Barry Hankerson and Gladys Maria Knight. His father Barry is an American record producer, music label owner, and manager while his mother Gladys is an American singer, songwriter, and actress.

Although Shanga Hankerson has no biological siblings, he has half-siblings from both parent’s sides. He is the half-brother of James “Jimmy” Gaston Newman III and Kenya Maria Newman. Jimmy and Kenya were born from Shanga’s mother’s first marriage to James “Jimmy” Newman. Shanga has a half-brother Jomo Hankerson.

Jomo was born from Shanga’s father’s previous marriage. Shanga also has one half-sister from his father’s side. Shanga’s parents Gladys Knight and Barry Hankerson got married on October 12, 1974, but divorced in 1979. After their divorce, Gladys and Barry went through a prolonged custody battle over their son Shanga Hankerson.

Shanga Hankerson was reportedly kidnapped and his mother spent more than a million dollars looking for him. At the time Shanga was in elementary school, his mother was battling some problems. His mother Gladys Knight was into gambling and it became an addiction.

Gladys confessed that it “got to the point where I’d stay out all night through the next morning. I would miss taking Shanga to school so my mother would have to take him,” adding, “At one or two in the afternoon, I would still be at the table, calling her on a cellular phone, asking her to pick up Shanga for me.”

Shanga’s parents’ divorce affected him. His parent’s separation made him lose his sense of security. “He began seeking that lost comfort and security elsewhere, as any human being could be expected to do. With Shanga, it became food. He ate and ate and ate to satisfy a hunger that was beyond his reach.”

ALSO, READ: James Newman III: What Happened To Gladys Knight’s Son?

Shanga gained weight and at one point his mother called him a “fat slob.” His mother revealed that she “couldn’t believe I’d said it. Shanga didn’t react on the outside; the hurt was all within. If I could only cram those words back into my mouth. How could I hurt him that way?”

Shanga is said to have lost weight after his mother bought a house in Los Angeles so he could see his father more often. He spent his high school years living with his father full-time. Shanga’s maternal grandparents are Merald Woodlow Knight Sr., a postal worker, and Sarah Elizabeth (née Woods).

Shanga Hankerson became a businessman. He opened a restaurant, Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles, in Atlanta and expanded it to other locations.

Shanga Hankerson Was Arrested

Most recently in 2021, Gladys Knight’s son Shanga Hankerson has been sentenced to federal prison for “failure to remit payroll taxes,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is to serve two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution of $1,039,310.65, acting U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine said.

Shanga Hankerson pleaded guilty. In an emailed statement, Erskine said: “Hankerson willfully disregarded his tax obligations for many years. Payroll taxes fund social insurance programs, including Social Security and Medicare, and are a large source of revenue for the federal government. Employers who fail to comply with their legal obligations will be held accountable.”

Shanga Hankerson did not fully remit over $1 million in payroll taxes due from at least 2012 to 2016. In June 2016, three of Shanga’s restaurants were closed by the Georgia Department of Revenue. He was then arrested. Reports have it that, Shanga’s workers told investigators he spent the money on sex parties and marijuana.

ALSO, READ: Kenya Newman: Everything About Gladys Knight’s Daughter

“While ownership of a well-known restaurant in our community has its perks, it also comes with great responsibility,” IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent James E. Dorsey said. “Paying taxes is a way to give back to the community, but unfortunately Hankerson chose to use those funds for other means. This sentencing emphasizes that all employers, big and small, have equal responsibility to collect, report and pay their payroll taxes.”

Shanga Hankerson’s mother Gladys Knight filed a legal action against Shanga, ordering him to remove her name and likeness from his businesses. Shanga’s restaurant which was named “Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles” became “The World Famous Chicken & Waffles” after the settlement.

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