Now Reading: Davina Barnes, Mother of Taj Knight
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Davina Barnes, Mother of Taj Knight
Introducing Davina Barnes and Her Circle
Davina Barnes entered public view on June 12, 1991, as the devoted mother of Taj Knight. Born on March 15, 1972, in Los Angeles, she graduated from Fairfax High School in June 1989. She maintained a private life while raising her son and guiding the family through significant milestones.
PTA Leadership and Community Service
From 2005 to 2008, Davina served as President of the PTA at Ridgewood Elementary School in Atlanta, organizing annual fundraisers that generated over $50,000 to upgrade classroom technology and fund student scholarships.
Family Foundations and Influences
Davina’s early relationship with music executive Marion “Suge” Knight Jr., born April 19, 1965, led to their son Taj’s birth on June 12, 1991. Davina relocated with newborn Taj to Atlanta, Georgia, on February 2, 1992, enrolling him in Atlanta Public Schools on September 1, 1997. Suge Knight co‑founded Death Row Records in October 1991, producing pivotal hip‑hop albums, which influenced the early environment around Taj.
Legal Journey of Suge Knight
Davina navigated Taj’s childhood while Suge Knight’s legal circumstances evolved:
- Conviction and Sentencing: Knight pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter on October 15, 2018, receiving a 28-year prison sentence under California’s three‑strikes law.
- Prison Transfer: He was transferred to Wasco State Prison on October 23, 2024.
- Appeal Denial: A Los Angeles County judge denied his writ of habeas corpus petition on March 4, 2025, citing untimely and insincere grounds.
- Settlement in Wrongful Death: On April 29, 2025, Knight agreed to a $1.5 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit to avoid retrial.
Cultural Impact of the Death Row Era
The albums produced by Death Row Records between 1992 and 1995 reached multi‑platinum status, selling over 50 million copies worldwide and defining the sound of West Coast hip‑hop. Davina’s early role as Taj’s mother connected her to this significant cultural movement, influencing his understanding of music and entertainment industry dynamics.
Davina’s early relationship with music executive Marion “Suge” Knight Jr., born April 19, 1965, led to their son Taj’s birth on June 12, 1991. Davina relocated with newborn Taj to Atlanta, Georgia, on February 2, 1992, enrolling him in Atlanta Public Schools on September 1, 1997. Suge Knight co‑founded Death Row Records in October 1991, producing pivotal hip‑hop albums, which influenced the early environment around Taj.
Next Generation and Partners
Taj Knight built his career on the foundation Davina provided. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Atlanta, he attended Ridgewood Elementary (1997–2001), Jackson High School (2004–2009), and Georgia State University (2011–2016), earning a BBA in Business Economics. He joined Willis Towers Watson in June 2016, rose to Lead Associate by March 2020, and began at Piedmont Healthcare in August 2023. Taj married Christina Knight (née Lopez, born September 8, 1993), a GSU Actuarial Science graduate, on June 25, 2017; together they launched youth STEM outreach in March 2022.
Professional Certifications and Publications
- Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA), AHIMA, awarded June 2019
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI, certified December 2021
- Co‑authored the white paper Optimizing Healthcare Analytics Workflows published in the Journal of Health Informatics in September 2022.
Awards and Community Impact
- Christina Knight passed the Actuarial Exam P in April 2014, ranking in the top 5% nationally.
- Received the Georgia State University Outstanding Young Alumna Award in October 2020 for community and professional achievements.
- Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA), AHIMA, awarded June 2019
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI, certified December 2021
- Co‑authored the white paper Optimizing Healthcare Analytics Workflows published in the Journal of Health Informatics in September 2022.
Taj Knight built his career on the foundation Davina provided. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Atlanta, he attended Ridgewood Elementary (1997–2001), Jackson High School (2004–2009), and Georgia State University (2011–2016), earning a BBA in Business Economics. He joined Willis Towers Watson in June 2016, rose to Lead Associate by March 2020, and began at Piedmont Healthcare in August 2023. Taj married Christina Knight (née Lopez, born September 8, 1993), a GSU Actuarial Science graduate, on June 25, 2017; together they launched youth STEM outreach in March 2022.
The Knight Grandchildren
Davina’s legacy extends through her grandchildren, born in Atlanta:
- Rylan Knight – November 13, 2013
- Second grandchild – July 22, 2015
- Third grandchild – March 3, 2018
Family Tree Overview
| Name | Relation | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Davina Barnes | Matriarch | Born March 15, 1972; Fairfax High ’89 |
| Marion “Suge” Knight Jr. | Former Partner | Born April 19, 1965; Death Row Co‑founder ’91 |
| Taj Knight | Son | Born June 12, 1991; GSU BBA ’16; married ’17 |
| Christina Knight | Daughter‑in‑law | Born September 8, 1993; GSU Actuarial Science ’15 |
| Rylan Knight | Grandchild | Born November 13, 2013 |
| Knight Child #2 | Grandchild | Born July 22, 2015 |
| Knight Child #3 | Grandchild | Born March 3, 2018 |
FAQ
Who is Davina Barnes?
She is the private mother of Taj Knight and former partner of Marion “Suge” Knight Jr.
When did Barnes relocate to Atlanta?
She moved with Taj on February 2, 1992, to create a stable childhood away from media attention.
What career path did Taj Knight follow?
He progressed from healthcare analytics at Willis Towers Watson to a senior analyst role at Piedmont Healthcare.
Who is Christina Knight?
Christina Knight is Taj’s wife, a GSU Actuarial Science graduate born September 8, 1993, and co‑founder of a youth STEM program.
How many grandchildren does Davina Barnes have?
She has three grandchildren: born in 2013, 2015, and 2018.
