Boris Kodjoe and his daughter Sophie Tei Naaki Lee Kodjoe attended the 2023 American Black Film Festival Honors on March 5, 2023. The event celebrated Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment.
Boris and his wife Nicole Ari Parker-Kodjoe have been married since 2005 and are the proud parents of two children: daughter Sophie, 18, and son Nicolas, 16.
In 2008, the couple founded Sophie’s Voice, a foundation named after their daughter who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. Sophie’s Voice operated for over a decade until a conversation with Sophie led Boris and Nicole to rebrand the foundation as the Kodjoe Family Foundation in 2019. According to Boris, Sophie expressed her desire not to be defined by her condition alone. At the time of the conversation, Sophie was 11 years old.
“With the Kodjoe Family Foundation, it was a very interesting transition,” he told Tamron Hall in 2021. “We went from Sophie’s Voice to Kodjoe Family Foundation because yes, Sophie was diagnosed with spina bifida. She’s unbelievably confident and beautiful and smart and speaks three languages, [a] 16-year-old who bosses everybody around.”
He continued, “A couple of years ago, I think she was 11, she said to Nicole and I, ‘You know guys, I understand why you started the Sophie’s Voice Foundation, because you wanted to raise awareness around the issue and birth defects in general. But did you ever think about me not necessarily wanting to be defined just by one thing?’ We were like, ‘Whoa…I’m so sorry.’ So we changed the name from Sophie’s Voice to the Kodjoe Family Foundation.”
Sophie celebrated her 18th birthday a few days ago and Boris and Nicole were sure to send her birthday wishes.
“Wow….18 years old!! It went so fast. Soph, you are such a bright star and I can’t wait to keep watching your adventure unfold. I love you so much, Cakes. Happy birthday,” Boris wrote.
Nicole wrote, “My First. My Angel Cookie. My Pride & Joy. Welcome to the next chapter of your life my baby girl. I know wonderful adventures lay ahead for you. You are ready. You are strong. You are You. May you always remember the gift of light. You are to this and don’t let nobody tell you otherwise.”
