Business

Abdul Karriem

Experienced Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Analytical Skills, Sales, and Feasibility Studies. Strong business development professional with a Master’s Degree focused in Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law from University of Tulsa College of Law.

Aisha Abdul-Ali

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs dating back to 1920s. I was surrounded by mentors who encouraged high standards, morals excellence, fairness, and hard work. At age 9, I became an entrepreneur. When a local wholesaler discarded flower buds they perceived worthless, I saw value and opportunity to create a new market that would buy flowers with eight days of beauty from bud to bloom verses the wholesaler’s four days of beauty from the fully bloomed flower. I immediately mobilized a distribution and sales force of kids from the community who had wagons. After 2 months of profits and hard work, I learned two important lessons…” control your supply source” and, “look around, opportunities are endless”. 

As President/CEO of SER, I will lead the Company in the acquisition of precious metals (gold and silver) to build generational wealth for our shareholders. Acquired knowledge and experience from working in the gold mines with our miners; learning critical aspects of exploration and product movement, from the mines to the refinery, to trading in the global marketplace, will prove valuable. 

In the environmental sector, SER is positioned to be an industry leader in providing environmental disaster relief products and services throughout the United States. As environmental disasters strike, including epidemics/pandemics, we must “BE PREPARED”. 

As co-founded of Southland Petroleum in the late 1980s (a service contractor in the Oil and Gas Industry) and as former CEO of Southern Energy USA in the mid-1990s, (a company committed to using solar technology applications to alleviate soil erosion and desertification in Sub-Sahara Africa), my hands-on knowledge, experience and vision of the environmental sector will benefit SER’s growth long into the future. 

During my engagement in community service, volunteerism and philanthropy, in the U.S. and Africa for over 20 years, I’ve had the honor to serve as consultant to African Heads of State and U.S. Project Manager of several international developmental projects in the United States and Africa. 

Baiyina Hamed Khalil

As a former student of the Clara Muhammad School of Miami, FL and the eldest child of parents who transitioned to Al-Islam through the Nation of Islam, Baiyina has always had a strong sense of who she is and what she is capable of. On March 18, 2000, at the age of 19, she married Hanif M. Khalil. As the mother of an 8 month old son, Baiyina graduated from Florida State University in December of 2002 with a BS degree in English Education.

After graduating and moving to Orlando, FL, Baiyina and Hanif began working towards their family goals. Kamp Khalil, Inc., a non-profit organization for youth ages 12 to 17 that provides an Islamic, educational, and fun environment to promote life skills and leadership, was founded in October of 2003.

Baiyina is dedicated to the development of our future leaders, preservation of our ummah, and continuation of the legacy of our ancestors. Through youth interaction, she is working to fulfill her purpose.

Baiyina is a certified teacher in both FL and TX. She currently teaches 10th grade English with the Alief ISD and serves as a volunteer for the Masjid Warithuddeen Mohammed Weekend School. Outside of work, she loves exercising, making people laugh and feel at ease, eating well, and spending quality time with her family.

Baiyina Khalil currently resides in Houston, TX with her husband, Imam Hanif Khalil, and their two children, Kamal and Aasiyah.

Hajj Pros - Imam Sulaimaan Hamed and Sister Shahidah Sharif

Imam Sulaimaan Hamed and Sister Shahidah Sharif were born and raised in America to parents in the San Francisco Bay Area and Brooklyn, NY, respectively. Imam Hamed serves as the Imam of the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam, one of the largest Islamic centers in the South East affiliated with the community of his late teacher, Imam W.D. Muhammad. As a student of Religious Studies, he has taught Arabic and Islamic sciences at the Mohammed Schools and Islamic Theology and Islamic Law for the Faith Institute of the Atlanta Masjid.

Educated primarily in private Islamic Schools in the US , Hamed also received specialized training under the tutelage of the Grand Mufti Sheik Ahmed Kuftaro of Damascus, Syria at the Abu Nour University and completed courses in Jurisprudence , Arabic, Prophetic traditions, and Theology. His studies and teaching has afforded him travel opportunities to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Senegal.
He also served as the Imam of Masjid Fresno in California and assistant to Masjidul Waritheen of Oakland. Fluent in Arabic, he is currently the co-owner and operator of Professional Hajj and Umrah Guides, LLC, "Hajj Pros", a religious-based travel agency specializing in the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and study abroad opportunities.

He is passionate about the improvement of Islamic institutions of education. He is noted as a respected leader in the Muslim American community often called upon to assist with programs establishing a commitment to religion for future generations. His publications include “Ramadan: The month of purification and self restraint”. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Divinity at the Claremont School of Theology and resides in Atlanta, GA with Shahidah, his wife of 18 years and children.

Shahidah Sharif attended the University of Miami and the Mosque Cares' study program at the Abu Nour University in Damascus, Syria for a 3 year intensive for Arabic language, Islamic Sciences, and dawah. She has worked in the past with the Interfaith Youth Leadership Forum in the San Francisco Bay Area,  World Pilgrims and FAMA in Atlanta serving as a program coordinator and administrator facilitating dialogue among youth and adults of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds. She currently works as the Communications Director for the Atlanta Masjid and is the co-founder and COO of Professional Hajj and Umrah Guides, LLC (Hajj Pros), organizing delegations annually for the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah, Saudi Arabia as well as study abroad opportunities with Imam Sulaimaan. She serves on the Board of Sisters United in Human Service, Inc. and recently lead an interfaith journey with World Pilgrims of Atlanta to Arizona. She is a certified doula and currently training in midwifery.

Ishaq Majeed

Ishaq Majeed is a second generation Muslim born and raised in Atlanta’s West End and Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam communities. He is a graduate of Muhammad Schools and Atlanta and received a BS in Mathematics from Morehouse College. He is currently a Muhammad Ali Scholar at Bayan Islamic Graduate School and Chicago Theological Seminary pursuing a Masters in Islamic Studies. Ishaq also has 20+ years of experience in Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity. In 2018, he started Kubra Cybersecurity, with the goal of expanding IT and cybersecurity opportunities for minorities. To this date, Kubra Cybersecurity has performed successfully on several contracts and is expanding its capacity to serve on more contracts.

Ishaq Majeed is a student of Islam and is passionate about spreading the message of Islam through the increased knowledge, love, and salutations of praise on The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This, he believes, is one of the more direct ways to know our selves and to know Allah. 

Ishaq Majeed believes that one of the best examples of Islamic community life in the United State is through the Muslim African American experience. Centering and enhancing the experiential knowledge of Muslim African Americans is one of Ishaq’s goals.

Ishaq Majeed and his wife, Kori, have 6 daughters. Three are currently studying to be Hafithat of Quran in Senegal West Africa and two more, with the permission of Allah, will also follow in their footsteps. Ishaq’s father, mother, and siblings are members of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam Community in Atlanta Georgia.

Masud Abdur-Rahman

Masud Abdur-Rahman was born on November 24, 1980 to Shuaib and Nadia Abdur-Rahman in Atlanta, GA. He is fourth of six children. He is an honors graduate of Warith Deen Mohammed High School in Atlanta, GA. class of 1998. While in high school he was a part of the basketball and soccer teams. His love for and talent in soccer took him to Europe twice participating in an international soccer tour. At a young age he was able to visit many European countries which ignited his love for travel. Masud was accepted to the prestigious Morehouse College receiving a full soccer scholarship. As a graduate of the class of 2003 with a degree in Finance and Marketing, Masud received several academic and athletic awards while attending Morehouse College. Upon graduating, he pursued a career with the Audi, first as a salesman and then he quickly rose to the heights of management. He is currently a general sales manager at Audi and supervises the overall sales function of the store. Masud gives charity regularly and has participated in many community events over the years. He has a love for family, community and traveling. Inshallah he plans to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in 2019. He has been married to Qadara Beyah for fifteen years and they have three children, Johara (13), Jabari (8) and Jasir (2).

Muhammad Najeeullah

Founder and CEO, Muhammad Najee-ullah, established Pelican Fly Concepts LLC as an Education-Tech research and development start-up with goals to increase S.T.E.A.M. (Science Technology Engineering Arts & Math) awareness, and proficiency in young people of all ages across the USA specifically in the disadvantaged and under-served urban communities. 

The company’s hashtags ( #ProFitness #ProSTEAM and #Anti_Evils ) speak to the company's goal of shifting the youth culture with a "No off button" of "Edutainment"via traveling workshops and events in which teams of young participants build robots and drones then control them to compete in the tournaments against the creations of other teams. These educational gaming events will be made available to the community on a regular basis in an effort to compete with popular entertainment culture. 

A visionary and community activist, Mr. Muhammad and his team are developing the FullBlast S.T.E.A.M. physical-digital hybrid gaming platform as high quality informal learning environments with the attraction power to drastically increase STEAM awareness, education, career and entrepreneurship pursuits among young people across ethnic and economic divides. 
https://www.meetup.com/P-U-R-G-G-Design-Build-Project/

Mukhtar Muhammad
Organization, Leadership, & Management Consultant, FPPLC Consulting

Email: sales@famacopublishers.com

Tel: (904) 434-5901

As a former enlisted and commissioned (mustang) naval officer, Mukhtar Muhammad knows inspired people are at the heart of every successful organization and believes the urgent task confronting all institutions, is how best to tap into the group intellect and the Creator- given talent in each one of us, and to utilize the power of that group intellect for the maximum benefit of not only that institution, but the society…this belief is a central theme in his book, Genesis of New American Leadership and the major focus in his civic and business life.

Mukhtar served as Executive Director for Community Wide Shuraa Conference™, Inc. (CWSC) from 2015-2020 and now carries the honorary title Executive Director Emeritus; a principal at and vice president for FAMACO Publishers, LLC and famacopublishers.com; a distinguished lecturer in the CWSC Speakers Bureau; and a national talk show host on American Muslim 360® Radio Network (AM360.org), he is author of the critically acclaimed Genesis of New American Leadership, the first socio-political and religious commentary on leadership based on the principles of Islam, the commentary of contemporary religious scholars and American management philosophy; and he is creator of the Building the Community Life Seminar podcast heard weekly on AM360.

Mukhtar brings a wealth of executive leadership experience to task having served in strategic planning, complex project management and systems design and implementation with cross industry experience in business, government, entrepreneurial and civic operating environments. He has formerly served as a strategic planning director, convener masjlis ashuraa, chief of staff, and Muslim Student Association president. At the financial level, he has held personal signature accountability for $2 billion+ in U.S. government funds. Now he helps organizations with governance and management issues and presents on strategic planning, innovation and change management, organizational structure and design.

A third generation American Muslim leader, he continues a family tradition of service to community and nation. Mukhtar has served at the highest levels of national leadership for his religious association being appointed by the late Imam Dr. W. Deen Mohammed (R) to the former Islamic Affairs Council (IAC). He has devoted nearly 30 years to the study and implementation of Imam Mohammed’s visionary concept of a national intelligentsia.

Among Mukhtar’s leadership milestones: Following the Parkland Florida mass shooting, he led CWSC’s delegation to meet with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill and deliver a joint letter to Congress representing 60+ organizations including the World Council of Religious Leaders in support of student rights to a safe and secure learning environment. During his leadership tenure, CWSC published and presented at the U.N. its International Global Drug Policy & Criminal Justice Reform Resolution. A year later, the U.N. welcomed CWSC back to share an International Statement to the Commission on the Status of Women. He was a major writer and final editor for all CWSC U.N. publications.

During the turbulent 2020 calendar year, he led not only CWSC’s Black Lives Matter national town hall, but also the historic U.S. Faith Communities Together: Global Day of Prayer with faith leaders across America and the world in response to the trials of the global pandemic.

Mukhtar led the call and strategy session for the emergency assembly of the IAC to address 911 terrorism; he was an invited presenter at a U.S. State Department initiative to meet with provincial governors from Afghanistan to address democracy, diversity, and Islam in America; he served as Islamic representative at the United Methodist Church’s interfaith cooperation annual national workshop; and represented Muslim Journal as part of the international press corps at the grand opening of the Muhammad Ali Center, producing an acclaimed series of essays on the Life of the Champ and his missionary impact; and he led FAMACO’s design team in producing the critically acclaimed international publication Remaking Our World: Tribute to the Leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed.

Mukhtar holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in four business concentrations from the University of South Carolina and Webster University. Some of his awards include, two Navy Achievement Medals; the MAS Southern Region Pioneers Leadership Excellence Award, the General Dynamics Outstanding Achievement award, and full academic university scholarship. He was blessed to perform Hajj in 2001. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife Darlene of 32 years, and daughter Maya.

Connect with Mukhtar Muhammad: famacopublishers@gmail.com (239) 249-8238

Omar Anthony Karim

Omar A. Karim, 44, serves as President of Banneker Ventures, a real estate development and construction company founded in 2005. Banneker’s clients have included federal government, local government and commercial clients across twelve states.

Since Banneker’s founding, Mr. Karim has been responsible for the Company winning more than $800 million in contract vehicles with 2017 revenues of $28 million. Mr. Karim is currently leading the $45 million development of a mixed-use market rate residential and retail project at the Addison Road Metro Station in Capitol Heights, Maryland, a $28 million development of a mixed-use affordable and retail project in Southeast, Washington, DC, and a $13 million affordable residential project in Northwest, Washington, DC.

He has also been responsible for overseeing the development of multiple private and public-private projects, including Foundry Lofts, a $60 million development with Forest City Washington of a former GSA building into a 160-unit mixed-income, residential and retail building in Washington, DC; the $60 million Walker Jones Education Complex (a co-location facility consisting of the District of Columbia’s only pre-k through 8 public school, recreation center and library); the $32 million Deanwood Recreation Center and Library (also a co-location facility consisting of a recreation center, library, in-door swimming pool, gymnasium, and library; the 300,000 sq. ft. tenant fit-out of the Veterans Affairs/Lafayette Building across from The White House; 1MM sq. ft. development of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Headquarters campus and the 625,000 sq. ft. development of the U.S. Transit Security Administration’s new Headquarters building with GSA, Boston Properties and Lendlease in Springfield, Virginia.

Mr. Karim has been able to grow Banneker’s bonding capacity to $100,000,000, making Banneker one of only a few African-American owned firms with that large of a bonding program.

Prior to founding Banneker, Mr. Karim served as General Counsel and Project Manager with Bundy Development Corporation, a leading District of Columbia-based real estate development firm. Prior to that, Mr. Karim worked as an attorney with Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, where he counseled private and public investment companies.

Mr. Karim and Banneker has received numerous awards including making the2018 Black Enterprise Magazine list of the 100 largest Black-owned companies in the United States, 2017 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, 2015 Visionary Award at the Minority Small Business Construction Conference in Montgomery County, Maryland; 2011 Developer of the Year Award by the National Organization of Minority Architects (Washington, DC Chapter); 2010 Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Howard University Institute for Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Innovation, and 40 Under‐40 Award by The EnVest Fund, a District of Columbia‐based social venture capital fund.

Throughout his career, Mr. Karim has invested heavily in the communities in which he has worked and lived, including contributing more than $1,500,000of Banneker’s profits to charitable organizations and worthy causes. He also served on the Boards of the Washington Area Community Investment Fund and Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, a member of the Montgomery County, Maryland Economic Advisory Council and Montgomery County, Maryland Affordable Housing Task Force, and Guest Lecturer at the Howard University School of Law and Howard University School of Business Annual Real Estate Week.

Mr. Karim received his J.D. degree from the Howard University School of Law and a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering also from Howard where he became the first undergraduate student to serve two terms on the University’s Board of Trustees, alongside such notables as former Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell, Black Enterprise founder Earl G. Graves, Sr., and Citigroup Chair Richard D. Parsons.

Teresa Mutakabbir

A “Carolina Girl”, and proud of it, Teresa Mutakabbir was born and raised in South Carolina.  In 1977, after graduating from Hampton University in Virginia with a B.S. degree in Accounting, she started her adult life in Columbia, SC. She graduated college, got married to her husband Tamir Abdul Mutakabbir, and started her career with IBM as a Systems Engineer all within the span of one month, and at the age of 20!  She is a confirmed multiprocessor, and rarely is she only doing or even thinking about one thing at a time. This has served her well at IBM, in her volunteer work, and her career as a Realtor.

Teresa Mutakabbir became a Muslim in Columbia, SC. In Columbia, she was an active member of Masjid As- Salaam, where they started a Clara Muhammad School with little more than faith and the sacrifice of the believers. She served as school treasurer and also on the school board and the Islamic Parent Teacher Association (IPTA). At Masjid As-Salaam, she started a Girl Scout Troop. At one point they had Daisies, Brownies, Junior and Senior Girl Scouts and welcomed non-Muslim girls in the surrounding community. She represented Masjid Ash-Shaheed and the Girl Scout council as a Delegate to a National Girl Scout convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was also a local Cookie Trainer. She continued as a Girl Scout leader in Charlotte for several years. In Columbia, she also helped to start a Committee To Enhance the Role of Women in Society (C.E.R.W.I.S.) chapter at the masjid, under the direction and encouragement of Imam W.D. Mohammed. CERWIS is still very active in Columbia at Masjid As Salaam and in Charlotte at Masjid Ash Shaheed.

In 1992, Sister Teresa, along with Sister Wardah Ameen, sharing a vision and love for their sisters, set out to plan a get-away weekend for the sisters in the Columbia, SC area.  The weekend evolved into the annual Sisters Retreat with the purpose to help the sisters get to know each other on a more personal level outside of the masjid, and to help strengthen the bonds of sisterhood and community.  The 25th Sisters Retreat will be celebrated in 2018.

In 1995, she relocated to Charlotte, NC where she became a Systems Management Integrator and eventually a Transition Manager, earning her Project Management Institute certification as a Project Manager. Her experience as a relocation client when IBM moved her to Charlotte opened her eyes to the possibility of becoming a Real Estate Broker.  She retired from IBM in 2010, after 32 years. Teresa always liked “running things” and she was doing that long before she even knew what a Project Manager was, so when she left IBM, Real Estate seemed to be a perfect fit.  She had spent years guiding her clients through implementations, upgrades, and migrations, and those skills were easily transferred to her new career.  She is a committed and energetic Broker, dedicated to the profession and looking forward to having a positive influence in the lives of her clients.

When they moved to Charlotte, her family joined Masjid Ash-Shaheed, where they continue to be active. She has previously chaired the program committee for our Annual Moral Summit Weekend. She continues to be active with CERWIS and is currently the treasurer. She is the Finance Director for Camp Connections, and serves on the Masjid Board of Trustees. She most recently served as coordinator for the Muslim American Logic Institute (M.A.L.I.) 2017 Conference which Masjid Ash-Shaheed hosted in Charlotte.

Teresa and Tamir feel proud and blessed to be the parents of Yoruba Taheerah Mutakabbir, Associate Professor of Higher Education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas; and Ibn Tamir Abdul Mutakabbir, Systems Training Coordinator for Piedmont Airlines in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ibn Tamir is married to Ayesha Wilson-Mutakabbir and they have been blessed to have Ibrahim Ali Abdul Mutakabbir and Asira Inam Mutakabbir. She is proud, and thankful to be an African American Muslim Woman; wife to Tamir, mother to Yoruba, Ibn Tamir and his wife Ayesha, and grandmother to Ibrahim and Asira.

In November of 2008, Sister Teresa and her husband were blessed to answer the invitation to Hajj. She believes that to whom much is given, much is required, and has tried to be careful not to be boastful and certainly not arrogant. She has always liked the old saying, “Don’t hide your light under a bushel.” This was actually a quote from Prophet Jesus (AS). Do not conceal your talents or abilities. This proverb is taken from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was telling Believers not to hide their faith. Teresa believes that it is through our faith that we use our gifts and talents. 

She has always considered her salary and commissions to be a straight blessing from Allah (SWA). She believes in charity in all forms and has witnessed the truth of Surah 2, Ayat 245. “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.” In her career with IBM, and now as a REALTOR, she is grateful for the opportunities to share knowledge, support, and her finances in service to Islam.

Waleed Shamsid-Deen 

President/CEO 

Email: Waleed@SupremeBurger.us 

SKYPE: shamsiddeen 

Cell/WhatsAPP:+1 678-414-2174 

Waleed Shamsid-Deen is President & CEO of Supreme Foods Worldwide, a family owned franchise company with 10 locations in Metro-Atlanta, Georgia. Waleed has over two decades of business experience. His drive, political savvy and keen insight for intelligent investments, has allowed him to establish numerous successful businesses and community-oriented ventures nationwide. 

In the past decade, Waleed has served as a consultant for Athletes, Entertainers, Entrepreneurs and Producers; managing and protecting their personal business and philanthropic interest. 

As managing partner of ARE, Inc., an angel investment firm founded by NBA Veteran Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Waleed has helped lead its emergence in the real estate, restaurant and entertainment industries. He was co-executive producer for the hit reality show Being Bobby Brown and Producer of a theatrical production entitled Drumline Live™which brings to life the story and experience of the Historical Black College and University marching band. His dive into the entertainment industry has led him to form relationships with media moguls Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, Polow da Don, Keri Hilson and Dallas Austin, among others. Globally, he conducts workshops and presentations on various business topics. 

As Director of Operations for the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute, Waleed was instrumental in supporting the Vision, to increase the number and size of minority and women owned businesses throughout the US and Globally. 

Waleed is also the founder of Supreme Family Foundation, a non-profit program with the Mission to engage, empower and encourage our community through basic needs, cultural exposure and economic opportunities for success. 

Waleed has authored a book, Excellence at a Minimum: The Plight of an Entrepreneur. An avid traveler, Waleed has led academic and business delegations throughout several countries in Africa and the Middle East. 

Waleed has received the prestigious Businessman of the Year Award, the Service above Self Award, the Rising Star Award, the Champion Award and the Young Adult of the Year Award. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Economics from Florida A & M University and an Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Walden University. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Waleed is married to Quiana and has six children; Lawrence, Safiyah, Siraj, Micah, Aya and the late Nya. 

Warith EL-Amin Jumu’ah

Warith EL-Amin Jumu’ah is a Morgan State University graduate, fashion and lifestyle brand owner, inspirational speaker, second generation Muslim, and a Passionate Rebel.

With his fashion and lifestyle brand, Warith inspires people to “Rebel Against Not Following Their Passion.” Knowing the struggles of living in an urban community, fighting to find ways to create a positive life for oneself, he uses his brand to motivate people of various ages to become a Passionate Rebel. As a person of purpose, Warith follows his dreams to change the world.

Under the leadership of Warith Jumu’ah, Passionate Rebel serves a phenomenal, & much needed example for all people; specifically, youth who aspire to use their passion to become an entrepreneur.

Creating inspirational apparel and utilizing motivational talks, Passionate Rebel, offers students and adults encouragement to follow their passion. Passionate Rebel is an example for overcoming obstacles and distractions. With the many challenges our youth encounter in the 21st century, Passionate Rebel stands as a welcoming entity helping numerous individuals follow their dream.

Zakariyya Abdur-Rahman

Zakariyya Abdur-Rahman was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated from Martin Luther King High School, and later served six years in United States Armed Forces. He attended the Temple University Fox School of Business, studying Business Management. He is married with a blended family, father of three children and has five grandchildren.  

Zakariyya has been an active member of Masjidullah, Inc. of Philadelphia since 1990. During this time, he has made Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca three times (1994, 2005 and 2012) currently serves as the Assistant Business Manager and is an active Board Member.

Since 1995, he has been Owner and President of Z & Z Distributors Inc., an entity licensed by the City of Philadelphia, and the only African American wholesaler in the tri-state area that provides snacks, beverages, paper goods, and other products. A family run business, Z & Z is driven by teamwork to provide excellent service. In 1997, he received the prestigious George Bailey Award from The Reinvestment Fund for outstanding business achievement. In 1998 he was awarded the Minority Business Enterprise Council award during its “MEDWEEK” event. He also received a Citation from the City for his commitment to Philadelphia and was selected by the Department of Commerce to travel to China on an important international trade mission.    

He not only has built his own successful businesses but is also known for extending his expertise to other business owners and entrepreneurs. He was instrumental in helping to bring Halal products to Philadelphia for distribution at Z & Z and to the Brown’s Shop-Rite Supermarket chain. For twenty-five years, Zakariyya has distributed Rap Snacks and two years ago he became their master distributor in the tri-state area. Rap Snacks is currently his most popular product, with images of popular rappers such as the Migos, Cardi B and Biggie Smalls on the bags. Today, Z & Z receives regular trailer loads of Rap Snacks to be distributed to seventy local stores, ten AM/PM 24-hour gas stations and fifteen Shop-Rite supermarket superstores in Philadelphia and Delaware. 

In 1999, Zakariyya founded the Nicetown Community Development Corporation. (NTCDC) and was later elected its President/CEO. Under Zakariyya’s leadership, the NTCDC has fulfilled its mission with “re-education” and training; affordable housing development; commercial corridor revitalization; arts & culture; public health and safety; and land care. Since 2002, NTCDC programs have provided supportive services to low-moderate income residents in a 15 census tract service area in Northwest Philadelphia.

The NTCDC consolidated a succession of five neighborhood plans that were a catalyst to transform the historic Wayne Junction gateway, particularly their two major developments- Nicetown Court I & II. This represents more than $35 million in investment, yields 87 affordable rental units and 10,000 square feet of fully occupied commercial space. Commercial tenants include Temple Physicians at Nicetown, Sister Muhammad’s Kitchen, and District Offices for the State Senator, City Councilwoman, and the Philadelphia NAACP headquarters. The NTCDC 10-year economic development plan has manifested a pipeline of $100 million+ in investment.

The NTCDC is a selected Project User (Developer) for Philadelphia Rebuild and is presently in pre-development for two of the largest projects, with the $9.5 million Barrett Playground and $12 million Shepard Recreation Center projects. Other NTCDC achievements include the Annual Give Back to the Community Festival (18 years) and the ZAR Memorial Education Scholarships. (11 years) The scholarships are a legacy established in memory of Zakariyya’s beloved sons Zakee and Zafir, who were both lost to senseless violence. The NTCDC sponsors the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity annual bus tours to the campuses of historical black colleges and universities (HBCU’s)

In 2013 Zakariyya took a leadership role with the acquisition and redevelopment of Masjidullah’s $1.5 million Center for Human Excellence, and the subsequent acquisition of the parking lot adjacent to the facility. Plans for this site includes senior housing and mixed-use development. Zakariyya is currently the President of the Universal Muslim Business Association, (UMBA) and serves on various Boards and Committees in Philadelphia and regionally.

Imam Taalib-Din Abdul-Uqdah — Founder of Plan Money Club

I guide people through financial decisions, helping them plan for personal and family financial well-being and generational wealth building.

Born in Washington, DC, to parents who worked just as many overtime than regular hours for the federal government, instilled in him a sense of independence that carried him throughout his early years, well into his adult life.

At the age of 10, he started riding buses downtown, learning to navigate a bustling city, handling money on his own. One recurring experience he spent his money on that left an indelible impression on him, were the men selling Muhammad Speaks, the Nation of Islam’s weekly newspaper, where every printed issue, “Do for Self and Kind” spoke to him.

At 22-years old, in Anacostia, Southeast’s food dessert neighborhood, he would build, from the ground up, his first business – 1st Stop – a 24-Hour Open Air Market selling fresh fruits and vegetables, health foods, groceries and more carrot cakes and bean pies than the Nation’s Shabazz Bakery.

Over the next four-decades he co-owned a successful business — Cornrows & Co. — becoming an activist and organizer that sued several corporations, making it possible for men and women to wear their natural hair in the workplaces and board rooms of America, while simultaneously changing laws in several states across the country that made it possible for African-American, women entrepreneurs to open their own businesses without government harassment or interference. Those efforts helped to educate African and African-American women on the proper care and maintenance of their hair and that of their children, while redefining standards of beauty for his people.

His successful entrepreneurship led to the development of a GED money management course — How to Make, Keep, Save, Spend and Blow Money — for students aging-out of the city’s foster care system in Washington, DC. In October 2019, he created his start-up Plan Money Club, to give guidance on money pit-falls, like wrong or no insurance, will-abstinence or procrastination and surprising banking options that help build generational wealth.

Contact info: Mobile/Text: 202-421-8945 ~ E-mail: taalibdin@planmoney.club

Hassan Muhammad

Hassan Muhammad is a seasoned Strategic Sales Development Leader with a background in the medical device industry.

In his professional journey, Hassan has held key positions in renowned organizations, showcasing his exceptional sales acumen and business development skills. As an Area Sales Manager at Abbvie-Allergan, he successfully delivered over $2.5 million in capital business within the first months of his hire, implementing effective strategies to exceed profitability. During his tenure at Biocartis Oncology, he played a pivotal role in brand management and led a team of Account Executives, resulting in a significant increase in sales revenue by 200%. At Accelerate Diagnostics, Hassan served as the Commercial Development Director, securing substantial sales contracts and strengthening client relationships, positioning the company as an industry leader in client support and service.

Hassan's expertise extends beyond sales, as he has also excelled in developing thought leaders, expanding existing client contracts, and exhibiting decisive business leadership. He is highly skilled in understanding client challenges and employs consultative sales strategies to deliver customized solutions tailored to meet each customer's unique needs. His outstanding performance and dedication to excellence have earned him recognition and accolades throughout his career, including achievements such as President's Club status and ranking as a Top Producer in national sales competitions.

Hassan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University and has pursued professional development in adaptive selling, economic value selling, strategic selling, and strategic business acumen. With his strong background and expertise, Hassan Muhammad continues to actively pursue new opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the global medical advancement, making him a respected leader in the medical device industry.

Shahidah Muhammad Jefferies

Mrs. Jefferies is the Chief Technology Officer for the historic Masjid Muhammad, Nation’s Mosque. She was a student at University of Islam (Washington, DC), Clara Muhammad School (Chicago, IL), and Clara Muhammad School (Winston-Salem, NC). As an innovative thought leader, her impeccable liaison skills between technical and business staff allows for bridging the gap between day-to-day business practices and technological solutions with minimal impact on business operations. She influences consensus between decision-makers and stakeholders resulting in exceptional customer experience. Additionally, Shahidah has extensive experience in the subject areas of healthcare analytics, fiscal management, student loans, business intelligence, facilities maintenance management, supply chain management, and enterprise marketing. She has a B.S. in Computer Science from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, with a broad range of experience in program management, business intelligence, data analytics, and quality assurance. As a Senior Business Intelligence Consultant with over 20 years of experience, Shahidah has consulted government, non-profit agencies, and commercial firms: General Services Administration (GSA), Defense Health Administration (DHA), Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), Fannie Mae, Army Emergency Relief (AER), Kaiser Permanente, SiriusXM Radio, Sallie Mae, US Postal Service, KPMG (Federal Government Consulting), and more.

Business Intelligence Portfolio https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/the.impact.consultants

Background

● Performed Hajj (Pilgrimage), 2003

● Founder/CEO, The Impact Consultants, LLC (2012 = Present) (https://theimpactconsultants.com/)

● Attended University of Islam, Washington, DC (1st -4th grade)

● Attended Clara Muhammad School, Chicago, IL (8th - 9th grade)

● Attended Clara Muhammad School, Winston, Salem, NC (10th grade)

● Graduated North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC (B.S., Computer Science) Community Service Affiliations/Memberships:

● National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Former President (undergrad)

● Masjid Muhammad Board Member, Chief Technology Officer, Washington, DC (2021 - Present)

● WDC NCA&T SU Board Member, Fundraiser Chair, Washington, DC (2021 - 2022)