Uhuru Love, originally named Gloria Gwendolyn Daniels by her parents Alexander and Freda Daniels, was born in Niagara Falls. She graduated from the State University College at Buffalo; received a B.S. in Art Education and an M.S. from State University College at Buffalo Graduate School of Art Education. In 1958, she began exhibiting her artwork, however it was in 1962 that her work attracted wide notice and recognition.

In 1965, she became actively interested in the Civil Rights Revolution; adopted the name Uhuru Love, Swahili and English words meaning “freedom (is) love” and began planning for her revealing art exhibition called Uhuru Uwezo meaning in Swahili “freedom (is) power.” In this year, she also became the proud recipient of an honorary Doctorate.