Zahara Marley Jolie graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology [1], [2].

The event marks a public milestone for the 21-year-old [1] and highlights a continuing shift in her personal identity and family associations.

During the commencement ceremony, Zahara used the surname "Jolie" instead of "Pitt" [2], [3]. This choice follows a period of reported distance between the graduate and her father, Brad Pitt [3], [4]. While some reports state she dropped her father's surname at the ceremony [3], other accounts suggest the omission of the name from her diploma remains unconfirmed [4].

Zahara, who was born in 2005 [1], completed her studies at the historic HBCU in the U.S. state of Georgia [2], [3]. The graduation ceremony served as a public celebration of her academic achievements in the field of psychology [1], [2].

Spelman College is known for its rigorous academic environment and its role as a leading institution for Black women. By earning her degree there, Zahara joins a long list of distinguished alumnae who have pursued careers in social sciences, and public service [2], [3].

Family members attended the festivities to support the graduate. The public nature of the ceremony brought renewed attention to the complex dynamics of the Jolie-Pitt family, particularly regarding the children's choices of surnames as they reach adulthood [3], [4].

“Zahara Marley Jolie graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday”

The decision to omit a parent's surname during a milestone event often signals a deliberate shift in identity or a response to familial estrangement. In the context of the high-profile legal and personal disputes between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Zahara's choice reflects a broader trend among their children to redefine their relationships with their father publicly.