Adilah Karriem-Donaldson

Adilah Karriem-Donaldson (formerly Alma X) born in Newark, N.J., eldest daughter of Brother Robert 9X Simmons and Sister Susie 2X Simmons, (may Allah be pleased with them), was introduced to Al-Islam at the age of 7. In her formative years, she attended the 1st Islamic Weekend School-Newark, NJ. Later served as Captain of the NOI Drill Team participating in parades, competitions, theatre, sports, events and Youth Volunteer. She also attended Islamic Studies/MGT/GCC/ Arabic classes. Attended Newark Public Schools, graduating from Central High School, attended Rutgers University-Newark and later graduating from Kean University, BA in Sociology, with credits in Education and Masters’ credits in Sociology and Social Justice. Her training is extensive in Education; K-8, Pre-K- 3, Early Childhood Education, Administration and Management, Business and Finance, Teen Mothers Program and Women in Recovery (Project BABIES} and Social Justice.

She met and married Bro. Abdul Malik Karriem (William 17X), whose been married for 53 years; blessed and proud of their union with 6 sons and 1 daughter, (who all attended Sis. Clara Muhammad School-Newark, N.J.); with 19 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. They have supported each other over the years in numerous family and community projects.

Her Service to Humanity has been outstanding and untiring. Allah has blessed her to continue to serve the Islamic Community and the Community-at-Large. Some of her major works has been in establishing: programs for youth in educational and cultural enrichment, Youth/Adult Career training programs and jobs, community events for youth, served on the Northeast Regional Islamic Education Department, N.Y., for the development of an Islamic Language Arts Textbook for the Sister Clara Muhammad School System. She also served as a volunteer instructor, 1st and 5th grade teacher, then later, Principal of Sister Clara Muhammad School, Newark, N.J., and served as an Islamic Youth Advisor.

Aïdah Aliyah Rasheed

Aïdah Aliyah Rasheed  is a fourth generation Muslim with familial roots in the Nation of Islam, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Catholic Church. She is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and multi-media producer who recognizes the power of art and culture as a means of cultivating communal awareness and connectivity. She has worked with world renowned artist, fine art museums, and educational institutions. Currently Rasheed is a freelance documentary film producer and editor, and she is the Special Projects lead for Sapelo Square, an award-winning blog that produces, documents, and archives the Muslim experience (of those from the African Diaspora) in the U.S. to shed light on its global impact.

Amatullah Alaji-Sabrie

Amatullah Alaji-Sabrie has a background and professional experience in education, both in teaching and administration (K-12); administration in higher education; and labor negotiations. Known as a social justice activist in the muslim and broader community in the East Bay and San Francisco area, for over twenty years she was a leader in the labor unions and movement within the University of California system.

Amatullah’s teaching and administrative work in education began at the Muhammad University of Islam in New York City 1970-1975. In September 1975 she moved to Chicago to accompany Ameenah Rasul (consultant to Imam Warithuddin Mohammed (raa) and the Muslim Women Development Class) as her administrative assistant. She returned to education as the principal, 1983-1984, at the Sister Clara Muhammad School, Oakland, California. In 1994 she founded and was the Bilal Ibn Rabah Institute board chairperson.

Amatullah’s community service includes interfaith activities and presentations; membership in CRAID (Committee to Remove All Images that portray the Divine); former speaker with ING (Islamic Networks Group); former board member Zaytuna College; Masjid Waritheen Prison Dawah Services and Health and Wellness Committee. She was also blessed to perform Hajj in 1995.

It was during her 25 year career at the University of California and involvement in the labor movement that Amatullah honed her skills in negotiations. After serving in several leadership positions on the Berkeley and statewide executive boards of the Coalition of University Employees Amatullah took on the role of negotiator. She served in the role of chief negotiator leading several bargaining teams to successfully negotiate contracts for administrative professionals (at one time numbering over 18,000) at the University of California’s 10 campuses and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In 2017, she was one of the recipients of the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award.

Her experiences in the labor movement deepened her appreciation for the example of Prophet Muhammad (saaws) as a statesman, businessman, leader and courageous negotiator. She also believes an examination of the leadership style of Imam Warithuddin Mohammed (raa) reveals his skills as a courageous negotiator as he reminded and encouraged us to utilize shuraa baynahum in our daily and community lives and governance.

She and husband Hajji Sabrie have two adult children, Tauheed and Najwa Sabrie.

Dr. Baseemah Jumu’ah

Dr. Baseemah Jumu’ah is the wife of Abdul Rashid Jumu’ah Sr. and the mother of five sons, grandmother of four granddaughters and one grandson. She was born and raised in the city of Newark. Dr. Jumu’ah and her husband are the founders and proprietors of One Step Ahead Tutorial / Recreation Program and Educational Consulting services. A product of the Newark Public Schools (NPS) system, Dr. Jumu’ah began her teaching career as a paraprofessional with the ARC in Livingston, New Jersey, a pre-school for handicapped students.

After completing her undergraduate studies at Kean University, she received her bachelor’s degree in Teacher of the Handicapped. In 1987, Dr. Jumu’ah joined the NPS family as a Special Education Teacher. Following the belief that education is a never-ending process; “from the cradle to the grave”, Dr. Jumu’ah continued her educational journey at Montclair State University where she received her master’s degree in Education / Critical Thinking (1995).

Motivated by the desire to serve as a change agent and assume a vital role within the educational process of young people, Dr. Jumu’ah pursued and completed her doctorate degree at the University of Phoenix where she received her doctorate in Education / Educational Leadership (2008). Her dissertation entitled; The Effects of Parental Involvement of Student Achievement in the Alternative Education Twilight Program was highlighted for exemplary excellence. As her educational voyage continued, Dr. Jumu’ah received her Principal / Administration Certification from City University, Seattle Washington (2016). As a lifelong learner, Dr. Jumu’ah is preparing to apply for enrollment in UConn’s Educational Law Certification Program (Sept 2022)’ Inshallah.

Dr. Jumu’ah is a former Special Education Teacher. She taught in the NPS system for 38 years before retiring January 1, 2021. During her tenure she served in diverse leadership roles inclusive of but not limited to, Coordinator for the Gateway to College Alternative Educational Initiative which offered support to students between the ages of 16-21 who dropped out of school and desired a second chance at obtaining a high school diploma while working towards an Associate degree via a partnership with NPS and Essex County College, Coordinator for Fast-Track Success Academy for Central High School as well as Pathway Academy; a program designed to address the needs of students re-entering school after incarceration. She currently mentors new and veteran teachers while serving as an Educational Consultant to the Newark, New Jersey Sister Clara Mohammad Restoration team.

Beatrice A. Muhammad

Beatrice A. Muhammad is a servant of the one and only G_d, Allah (SWT), a sustained supporter of the community of Imam W.D. Mohammed and a student of the Muslim American Logic Institute (MALI). She was raised in eastern North Carolina and is a long-time practicing Muslimah. Upon graduating from North Carolina Central University in 1972, she joined the Nation of Islam and later transitioned to Al-Islam in 1975. She is a long-time member of Ar-Razzaq Islamic Center in Durham, N.C. where she has served as the Masjid’s Educational Coordinator for quite some years. 

Mrs. Muhammad has spent her career serving the Durham community as a teacher, trainer, mentor and educational administrator.  She operated a Job Training Center and served as Director of the Adult High School Diploma and GED programs at Durham Technical Community College for more than 30 years. Through her leadership, she facilitated the high school completion of more than 10,000 graduates and helped many others train for new or re-entry job skills and find employment. Over the years, she has served on several boards and has held membership in many professional organizations.

Beatrice is the wife to Haneef Muhammad (47 years), and the mother of three daughters and grandmother of seven wonderful grandchildren. In 2014 she and her husband completed the pilgrimage to Hajj.

Benjamin Bilal

Benjamin Bilal’s love for English etymology (word origins) began in 1975, as a result of hearing Imam W. D. Mohammed proclaim that “Man means Mind” and “Words make People”. It was at precisely that point that he officially began his journey into the richness of etymology as a field of study. Benjamin’s thirst for knowledge was primarily fueled by his desire to read the Sacred Qur’an as an independent thinker. This subsequently impelled him toward understanding the origins of the Arabic language.

Instructor Bilal has been sharing the excitement of his special findings for over 35 years with everyone, from those who are simply curious to high school teachers and college professors. Many of these openly admit that they are borrowing from his unique insights. Anyone who has taken a course with the one affectionately known as “Brother Instructor” is aware of his gift for making complicated concepts easier to understand.

Benjamin developed the system of NūNetics so that all people who respect the Qur’an might gain additional insight beyond mere dictionary definitions. His method is based on an understanding of what he calls the “seed letters” of the Arabic letter system. As a result, the Learner will become better aware of the intrinsic value of the Ancient Arabic text and develop an appreciation of how masterfully it has been infused with Divine Will and meticulously packaged and preserved by the Creator in the Revered Book called Al- Qur’an.

The chosen mission of Instructor Benjamin Bilal is to “remake the world” of understanding Qur’anic linguistics in a way that reflects the “Promised Reading”, alluded to by Imam Mohammed. He continues to believe that the Qur’an was revealed as an immeasurable blessing to mankind, capable of guiding humanity into a Fitrah-based existence, which will promote a sacred respect for all human beings, all faith expressions and all creatures.

Enjoy his findings. They are your inheritance.

George Khaldun

Co-Founder, Harlem Children’s Zone
Founder, Institute For Urban Leadership

With unprecedented success disrupting the cycle of poverty and achieving landmark results in education, health, and social development, founder of the Institute For Urban Leadership (IFUL), George Khaldun has for twenty years implemented strategic innovations developing leaders and an education pipeline from pre-natal through college in distressed communities. Currently consulting on comprehensive solutions for businesses, organizations, and States looking to confront and combat cyclical poverty on all fronts, George is a management and leadership specialist speaking regularly before national and international audiences including at the Aspen Institute, the United Nations and U.S. Department of State. George is also the co-founder of the heralded Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ), a sprawling social experiment with widely documented success in developmental outcomes replicated by the Obama administration in communities across the country. As co-founder, deputy to the president, chief operating officer and chief administrative officer at HCZ, he spearheaded an organization that employed over 1,000 people, many from the surrounding community, while serving over 20,000 young people and adults annually, deploying education, health, early childhood, and violence prevention programs and developing a leadership development curriculum. George sits on a number of advisory boards including New York University’s Leadership Initiative and is senior faculty at the Institute for Personal Leadership - an affiliate of Columbia University Business School’s Executive Education Program. Current clients include the Miami Children's Initiative where George consults on organizational strategy. George was previously an economic development specialist for the national NAACP and adjunct professor at Bermuda College. George holds an AB in Government from Bowdoin College, where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees. He has a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy from Teacher’s College, Columbia University and has also studied at the London School of Economics and Columbia Business School. He can be reached at gkhaldun@gmail.com.

Inshirah Aleem

Inshirah Aleem is a compassionate servant of Allah (swt) who has served the Muslim community and the larger community for most of her adult life. Though she was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts as a second generation Muslim, she has established firm roots in Washington, DC both personally and professionally. Inshirah has earned a Master’s in Education from Walden University. She has been a Licensed Special Education teacher in DC for eleven years and brings her compassionate approach to teaching children with a wide range of disabilities. Inshirah is also a renowned Mental health advocate best known for challenging the stigma around mental illness through public education and advocacy. She is a published author of a memoir entitled, She Smiles and Cries and is in the editing phase of her second novel, “The Phoenix”, a continuation of her own journey through mental illness. She has also served as a board member of the Muslim Wellness Foundation, an organization committed to reducing stigma for those living with mental illness. Inshirah spent several years as a spokeswoman and trainer for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the largest organization in the nation providing mental health awareness. She provides inspirational workshops and speeches throughout the nation on behalf of the organization. Inshirah volunteers with the Nation’s Mosque Youth Weekend School. Additionally, she organizes Family game nights and Mental health workshops at the masjid. In her previous experience, Inshirah has mentored youth and organized programming for the Inner- City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) in DC known as DC Project REACH. Inshirah currently resides in Greenbelt, Maryland with her daughter Nisaa.

Jean Abdul-Rahman

Jean Abdul-Rahman is one of twelve siblings born (1939) of the late Clinton and Rosie Reave (May Allah forgive them of their sins and grant them paradise). She is a native of Robersonville, NC (where she grew up on a farm in rural, eastern N.C.) and a graduate of East End High School. She attended NC A&T State University and graduated from Fayetteville State University. She accepted Islam in 1967 under the leadership of Minister James Shabazz of Mosque #25 Newark, NJ. She is presently a member of Al-Nur Cultural Islamic Center in Greenville, NC. 

Jean lives in Robersonville, NC with her husband of sixty-one years, Naeem Abdul-Rahman. They are the grateful parents of four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She enjoys serving humanity, reading, learning, eating healthy, exercising, and traveling. She and her husband were blessed to make Hajj in 1996 with Imam Yusuf (R.A) and others. Alhamdulilah! 

Kamp Khalil, Inc.

After marrying on March 18, 2000, both Hanif and Baiyina graduated from Florida State University in December of 2002 with a BS in Sport Management and a BS degree in English Education, respectively.

After graduating and moving to Orlando, FL, they began working towards their family goals. In 2003, they founded Kamp Khalil, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to the development of our future leaders, preservation of our ummah, and continuation of the legacy of our ancestors.

Since 2004, Kamp Khalil has established itself as a leadership and youth development institution. What began as a 4-day summer camp has evolved into an organization that serves the needs of America’s youth year-round. We have served youth ages 12-17 from over 32 states during our summer sessions, winter sessions, as well as at various local, state, and national conferences.

Baiyina is a certified teacher in both FL and TX. She currently teaches 10th grade English with the Alief ISD and serves as an advisor for the Masjid Warithuddeen Mohammed Weekend School.

Hanif M. Khalil is an associate Imam at both Masjid Warithuddeen Mohammed and Masjid Al-Quran. Hanif has spent most of his career in the intersection of the Sport, Technology, and Entrepreneurship space. He currently is the President and Chief Visionary Officer of Crescent Sports Media, a digital media company that provides coverage and gives a platform to Muslims in sport and their impact on society. Crescent Sport Media also promotes the excellence of all athletes on/off the playing surfaces, in business, and in the community. He also provides career management and consulting services to professional athletes striving to achieve success on and off the playing surfaces. Hanif has also traveled to over 6 African countries as part of an innovation excursion connecting entrepreneurs and innovators from around the globe.

“We were inspired by the institutions and events that were effective in influencing our individual development. Those opportunities educated us, allowed us to develop our leadership skills, taught us the value of teamwork, and modeled the value of maintaining a connection with our community. Kamp Khalil works to provide these opportunities for the next generation.”

What makes Kamp Khalil unique is our holistic approach to youth development. All of the sessions are content rich, yet activity based. Participants learn through diagram models, guided practice, group discussion, public speaking, team building, and self-directed presentations Content includes but is not limited to financial literacy, goal setting, critical thinking, business plan formulation, civic engagement, healthy communication skills, time management, networking, self- discovery, proactivity, entrepreneurial development, overcoming adversity, understanding diversity, identifying and handling bullying, and conflict resolution.

Kamp Khalil not only develops the mind and body. We develop the spirit. As a faith-based organization we seamlessly thread spiritual consciousness into all of our programming. We emphasize moral responsibility, the Oneness of the Creator, and the oneness of humanity. As citizens of this planet, youth are empowered to be moral leaders and servants of Allah (swt). We teach and model the belief that we are all servants of the Creator and are responsible for positively contributing to the society.

Khadijah Abdullah

Khadijah Abdullah is the Founder and Executive Director of RAHMA. She is passionate about helping the community and identifying resources to help others. She was invited to The White House and met President Obama in recognition for her efforts. She also writes for The Huffington Post and is the Founder of National Faith HIV & AIDS Awareness Day and Playtime Event Sitters, an onsite wedding and event childcare company. Khadijah resides in Northern VA with her husband and daughter.

Latifah A. Hameen, CDAT, CST, CLC, CRC

Ms. Hameen is a Certified Domestic Abuse Awareness Trainer, Life and Relationship Coach, Self-Talk Trainer, Author, Poet, Educator and Motivational Speaker.

Ms. Hameen started Healthy Positive Choices (HPC) in 2007. It is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization which is used as a preventive tool to educate teens and young adults on the dangers of domestic violence, while advocating healthy relationships.

Ms. Hameen holds various degrees:
Candidate for EdD in Leadership
Masters of Art in Human Behavior & Development (MA)
Bachelors of Science in Community Education (BS)
Associates of Arts in General Education (AA) Ms. Hameen is a published author of 7 books: (All are available for purchase on HPC website: www.healthypositivechoices.com or Amazon.com)

Marsha Nivins

Marsha Nivins is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, proud mother of three daughters and a passionate advocate for education and thriving African-American and Muslim communities. Marsha is a graduate of Howard University earning a degree in Business Administration. She then obtained her Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Seton Hall University.

Marsha spent much of her career in leadership roles at nonprofit organizations.  She has 20 years of nonprofit organizational experience with 10 years in executive leadership.  Marsha is the Founder of the Early Childhood Institute, Principal at Clara Mohammed School at Masjid Muhammad-Newark, Grants Manager for a community action agency and former CEO of Starting Points, Inc.  

She is also a dedicated member of Masjid Muhammad-Newark, Programs Director at New Freedom Network, co-host of the New Freedom Xchange podcast, Co-CEO of New Freedom Works, member of SiStars in Service, the Unified Eid Committee of New Jersey and Social Services and Health Wellness Committee at Masjid Muhammad-Newark.  

Marsha is committed to supporting African-American, Muslim and African-American Muslim organizations in nonprofit capacity building through organizational management and grant writing. She is also committed to establishing and duplicating the Clara Mohammed School model in multiple locations. 

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/

Nadar Ali

Nar Ali’s family came to California in the early 1900’s settling first in Hollister, California in 1919. They later moved to the San Joaquinn Valley where his father purchased a ranch in Caruthers, California. There they operated a dairy farm for 35 years growing, alfalfa, cotton, and Thompson seedless grapes. After graduating from Caruthers Union High School, Ali attended Reedley Community College and continued at California State University, Fresno, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Masters of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology. 

He later received a Master of Science Degree in Education Administration. Ali was the first African American teacher at Bullard High School where he taught American Government and Economics. While teaching at Bullard High School, Ali was offered and accepted the position of Director of Education for the Western Region of the United STates by the late Elijah Muhammad. This region covered California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington State. After serving in this position for several years Ali and his family were relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where he assumed the position of Director of International Trades and Business for the American Muslim Community. 

While serving in this capacity they 

• Negotiated a two year contract with the Government of Peru for the purchase and the importation of 36 million pounds of frozen fish per year into the United States.

• Negotiated a one-year contract with the government of Morocco for the purchase and importation of 300,000 cases of sardines into the United States. 

• Initiated a 50/50 partnership with a group of Chinese Americans to form the American Pouch Foods Company in Chicago, IL. This company won a 35 million dollar contract with the Federal Government to supply MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) to the U.S. Military. 

• Assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guaranty Bank and Trust ( A bank owned by the Muslim Community).

• Served under President Jimmy Carter on the committee assisting with the 1978 National Energy Act. Dadar Ali was invited to the White House to witness this Act signed into law on November 9, 1978.

• Attended with his wife Mary Ali a ceremony honoring the Classical Singer, Marion Anderson at the White House in 1979.

• Traveled with Allen Cheng to the United Emirates at the request of the Ruler of Dubai to negotiate a Joint Venture Project. They assisted in the development of their Fishing Industry. Nadar Ali, served as Principal of the King Engineering Center. His Family opened Salaam Seafood, Inc in 2003 where he assumed his present position of President and Chief Executive Officer. He’s presently Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kings of Kings Development Corporation, a corporation that specializes in developing and managing low-income housing.

Nadiyah Ahmad, M.ED.

Nadiyah Ahmad is the Executive Director of Islamic Learning Institute. She is a widow of the late Imam Qasim Ahmed (RA) and worked very closely with him over the past twenty-five years to strategically develop his intellectual materials to assist in the development of Qur'aanic education for the Islamic community in association with Imam Warithu Deen Mohammed. Nadiyah also traveled with Imam Qasim to numerous cities across America and the British Island of Bermuda to support and assist in the education and propagation of Islamic knowledge.  She currently promotes the study of the Qur'aan in its original language of Arabic through the Islamic Learning Institute with a host of online Islamic Studies classes. 

Nadiyah received a bachelor's degree in Middle School Education from the University of Louisville, Kentucky.  Recently, she earned a Master of Education with emphasis in reading from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.  She currently heads the curriculum department for the Islamic Learning Institute. Through her leadership, the Islamic Learning Institute since 2019 has been successfully facilitating online Qur’aanic Arabic and Tajweed courses utilizing well-structured PowerPoint modules and other teaching modalities to deliver to students living within and outside of the United States.

Ms. Ahmad believes very passionately in passing the torch of love and unity throughout the family of humans. She is also the mother of five children and eight grandchildren. 

Naomi Shakir Feaste

Naomi Shakir Feaste (Hajja) is a practicing Muslim who resides in Raleigh, NC.  She is a mother, grandmother, educator, historian, researcher, curator, and program developer. Sister Naomi’s early education began at Highland Elementary School in rural Mt. Gilead, NC. She graduated from Allen High School in Asheville, NC and completed undergraduate studies at North Carolina College at Durham, now North Carolina Central University; she received certification in Nonprofit Management at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC and later earned a MALS Degree (Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies) with a focus on African American Studies at Duke University.

In 1990, she founded Cultural Enrichment Services, Inc. (CES, Inc.).  With its dedicated Board of Directors and many volunteers, CES, Inc. reached thousands by providing cultural education residencies and hosting traveling exhibits for afterschool programs, community festivals, and teacher education workshops. CES, Inc. hosted its most celebrated exhibition - The Legacy of Timbuktu: Wonders of the Written Word - in 2010.  This exhibition, from the International Museum of Muslim Cultures in Jackson, MS, received some fifteen thousand visitors.  

With Allah blessings, Sis. Naomi served as co-curator of the exhibition “Building Bridges through Good Faith” in collaboration with the Museum of Durham History from April 20, 2018 to Aug. 10, 2018 where it received some six thousand guests.  Funded by Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, NC Arts Council, and Durham Arts Council, it focused on the evolution and development of Ar-Razzaq Islamic Center (formerly Muhammad’s Mosque #34), located at 1009 W. Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC.

Sister Naomi is now primarily focused on completing a popup traveling exhibit to reflect the initial 2018 “Building Bridges” exhibition. The inaugural showing of this popup was on Sept. 11th at the 2019 Black Communities Conference held in Durham, NC and is presented by New Africa Legacies (NALs), her business. The popup pays special attention to the enslaved Muslim African, Omar Ibn Said, a noted scholar who lived out many years of his life in North Carolina. It invites guests to consider Said’s legacy in NC as a link to NC Muslim African Americans who, by Almighty G-d’s grace, embraced or reconnected to their Islamic heritage.

Nashid Muhammad

Nashid Muhammad is a 4th grade teacher at Friendship Woodridge International Baccalaureate campus in Washington DC. Nashid completed his undergrad at Georgia State University with a major in Middle Level Education with a concentration of Mathematics and History. From there, he went on to pursue a dual master’s through a program called Urban Teachers. Nashid currently holds a master in Special Education and Elementary Education and is certified in both areas. Mr. Muhammad plans to continue his work in the field of education while also, venturing into becoming an author of children’s novels. Nashid loves to spend time with family, travel, and is heavily vested  with community life and development.

Qur’an Shakir

Qur’an Shakir has been certified as a Jegna, master educator, guide and distinguished leader. Having served as an educator for more than 25 years, she has served as principal of the Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, as a teacher at the Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, and as an educational consultant to local public and private school educators. She has several times been named Teacher of the Year, as a STAR teacher for the State of Georgia, and listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers, and Who’s Who Among U.S. Executives. As a called-upon motivational speaker, Sis. Qur’an, affectionately called Madame Q, has presented at colleges, universities, conferences, workshops, masajid, churches, centers, radio and television programs, juvenile delinquent facilities, and served as a chaplain in a local women’s prison where she conducted weekly “Confronting Self” workshops. Her works have been published in several journals and publications, including having her own weekly column “Road to Nikkah” in Muslim Journal. She is founder of several organizations and initiatives, including Powerful Youth in Charge (PYIC), an organization for tweens and teens that teaches them the power of leadership and being their own best advocates; The Taalib-Din Company, which promotes learning Islam through games and competitions; Taqwa Productions Inc., an Islamic media production company; UISA (United Islamic Schools of Atlanta), an organization of Islamic school leaders; UMMA, now called Muslims for Marriage. Sis. Qur’an is an active board member for the National Education Council (NEC) of Sister Clara Mohammed Schools; for the Interfaith Children’s Movement where she is committed to advocating for children and empowering them to advocate, lead and serve; and for the Drug Rebound of DeKalb Juvenile Justice where she advises and supports the juvenile court in efforts to help adolescent participants learn to live drug free and crime-free. A native of Atlanta and second generation Muslim in a family with at least four generations of Muslims, Madame Q is a graduate of Georgia State University and National University and a doctoral candidate with Fielding Graduate University.

Dr. Rabbani Muhammad

Rabbani Muhammad, Professor (Ret.) served 28 years at Florida A&M University, School of Architecture and Engineering Technology in Tallahassee, Fl.

Assistant Imam at Al-Nalh Masjid in Tallahassee, Fl; Religious Advisor for Death Row Inmates and their families for the State of Florida. Lecturer Artist/Traveler, Writer-poet, Businessman, CEO of Blackseed International LLC of Melbourne Florida, an importer of The Original Blackseed Oil of Ethiopian labeled as “Abyssinian Platinum the Original Blackseed Oil of Ethiopia”. Professor Muhammad has traveled to over 40 countries throughout Africa, Europe, South America, Middle East, Asia, North America, and the Caribbean Basin. Student of Imam W.D. Muhammad (raa) since 1975 until his transition, provided architectural and planning services for Imam’s vision for community projects across the USA, commercial, residential, and Muslim American Society projects as well as his own residence. Provide architectural consultancy for Muslim Community Projects at the Historic Malcom X Masjid in New York City, housing rehabilitation, new condominium and town houses in Harlem, and the Harlem’s New African Open-Air Markets on 116th Street. NY. NY. Professor Muhammad has designed many Muslim community projects, Chicago, Ill, Washington, D.C., Columbia, S, C., Miami, Fl, Jacksonville, Fl, St. Petersburg, Fl. Charlotte, N.C., New York, N.Y, Cleveland, OH, Georgia, Houston ,Texas etc., in addition to Imam W.D. Muhammad’s(ra) house extension in Markham, Ill. as well as other projects for the our communities throughout the United States that will help foster and promote our community’s develop mission mandate. Restores and redesign the author “Zora Neale Hurston Museum “in Eatonville, Fl.

Professor Muhammad was one of the first two indigenous Muslim from the United States of America to have been selected to teach at the famous Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al Mukaramah, in the department of Islamic Architecture. While living in Saudi Arabia for nine years he designed many types of buildings, commercial and residential in Makkah. Professor Muhammad has lived in Makkah and Madinah al Munawara and made Hajj three time and Umrah a multitude of times. 

Professor Muhammad Graduated from Harvard University, Howard University, Pennsylvania Institute of Technology with degrees and diploma in Architecture and Engineering Technology. He was instrumental in help establishing the first University of Islam Engineering School at Temple No.4 in conjunction with Howard University in Washington D.C. under the leadership of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad (ra).and Minister /Imam Dr. Lonnie Shabazz(ra). 

The Professor joined the then-Nation of Islam under the leadership of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad (ra) in 1973 Temple no. 4, Washington D.C. and is a student of Imam W.D. Muhammad (since the first day of his becoming the leader of the then Nation of Islam in 1975). Professor Muhammad had the privilege of accommodating Imam Muhammad to Roma to meet His Excellency, Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. 

Professor Muhammad has designed many Muslim community projects, Chicago, Ill, Washington, D.C., Columbia, S, C., Miami, Fl, Jacksonville, Fl, St. Petersburg, Fl. Charlotte, N.C., New York, N.Y, Cleveland ,OH, Georgia, Houston ,Texas etc., in addition to Imam W.D. Muhammad’s(ra) house extension in Markham, Ill. as well as other projects for the our communities throughout the United States that will help foster and promote our community’s develop mission mandate. 

Presently, Professor Muhammad is the CEO for The Blackseed International LLC, Importer of Blackseed Oil from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and other products from Africa. The purpose of establishing BSI’s business model is meant to promote a method of sustaining our Elderly our Youth and our Imams that have restricted and no incomes. The business model of BSI is to import, bottle, and create distributors using the same model that Hon. Elijah Muhammad and Imam W.D. Muhammad CPC with modifications on distribution, profit-sharing and promoting dawah, combating community blight by using the Imported Fish model. Our motto is to combat those who sell death in our communities with a product(s) the promote life by opening a gate way to your good health and lifestyle. Our bottling Plant is in Melbourne, Florida. 

Imam Rabbani Muhammad resides in Tallahassee Florida and has offices in Tallahassee and has five adult children and five grandchildren all Muslims. Mother lives in Saluda, South Carolina at 100 years young and Aunt one brother and two sisters Christians. 

Sajdah Ali

Sajdah Ali is an Education/ IT Consultant and Trainer, Non-Profit Developer and Entrepreneur. Sajdah Ali holds a MAT degree in Special Education from North Carolina Central University, 2010. A Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders/Speech Pathology from North Carolina A&T State University, 2003; and respective teaching licenses in North Carolina, Virginia and Florida.

She has extensive experience, working nationally and internationally, as an educator, researcher, trainer, project manager and director with various nonprofit and collegiate organizations such as coordinator for NCCU Global Diversity Teaching project (2009-2010), project manager for Sister Cities-Durham Chapter Halo Project (2005-2008), Boardmembers of Cultural Enrichment Services (2017) and MAAME, Inc (2019).

Prior to joining these organizations, she was the founder and director of The Muslims Student Association- NCA&T Chapter (2000) and The Halo Organization (2008-2018); an overall 12 year school feeding initiative whose mission was to restore and maintain secondary student enrollment by providing in- school meals in rural eastern Africa.

As the head of this successful organization, Sajdah Ali developed,managed and facilitated models of self-sustaining school feeding projects that fed over 19,000 students, increase school enrollment by 50%, decrease secondary drop-out rate by 15%, and improved overall health and wellness for local students.

Her business background stems from her 20 years experience in the public and private sectors of education. As director of her education consulting business, SA Education Consulting, she managed and facilitated government contracts, developed individual education plans for students, spearheaded multiple resource trainings for statewide educational professional , launched projects and education based initiatives for colleges and private schools. In 2016, she initiated the first ever Special Education training courses for licensed teachers for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teachers. These training seminars continue today and are conducted by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).

She has developed training courses and participated extensively in many professional development conferences such as North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teachers, NC Alliance for Public and Charter School Conference, and TED Conference, to name a few. She is also a contributing writer to various newspapers and magazines such as Muslim American Magazine and Global Education Conference Online Seminars.

Sajdah Ali conducts training and mentoring seminars for college students and start-up NGO’s whose interest and mission is focus on creating sustainable solutions towards global issues of malnutrition, adolescent health, and lack of education among girls. Sajdah Ali currently works as the IT Training Specialist for a global NGO focused on women’s reproductive rights and health in Chapel Hill, NC.

Sajdah often works alongside her husband, Rondie George, on various education consulting projects and other business ventures. Together they travel around the world working with other education providers, trainers and various clients; sharing their talents and passion for education and learning. When she is not working, Sajdah Ali enjoys traveling and discovering new adventures with her husband and their 4 children.

Stephen Jamal Leeper

Stephen Jamal Leeper is a writer, educator, and nonprofit consultant. Above all, he is a believer. He believes in the power of words, of story, of dreaming, of activism, of community, of people, of the Creator. Stephen graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA in Psychology. In May 2015, he graduated from California College of the Arts with a MFA in Creative Writing. His writing is a creative commentary on race, gender, and religion. It is an interdisciplinary exploration of racial identity and memory through a collaging of poetry, myth, narrative and images. You can learn more about his work here: www.stephenjleeper.com

Yasmine Ibrahim

Yasmine Ibrahim, 14, is an outgoing, Muslim-Somali-American student in the 10th grade at Brookwood high school in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. A new teen host on the AM360 program The Power of Educating Our Own, Yasmine is active at her masjid Madina Institute as a student of Islamic Studies and Arabic. She loves being busy in community development, having participated as a camp counselor for 4-6 year old children at Shorty Howell Park in Gwinnett, Georgia, as a volunteer at the Clarkston Community Center garden, and with feeding the homeless.

Yasmine aspires to be a pediatrician because she has always wanted to deal with the medical field, and help children. Yasmine was one of the 10 students selected to participate in a Civic Leadership & Advocacy Training with Interfaith Community Initiatives. As a participant, she engaged in specific training activities to strengthen leadership abilities and knowledge of basic civics as well as experience an interfaith immersion to different faiths and cultures.

Zaid Shakir

Board Chairman and Co-founder of Zaytuna College, USA

Zaid Shakir is a senior faculty member and co-founder of Zaytuna College, Berkeley, California, the first accredited Muslim undergraduate college in the USA. Shakir accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. He obtained a BA in International Relations and later earned his MA in Political Science. In 2001, he graduated from Syria’s Abu Noor University with a BA in Islamic Studies. He is one of America’s top Islamic scholars, a voice of conscience, and a compelling force for the improvement of race relations for non-Muslims in America. He co-founded the New Brunswick Islamic Center, formerly Masjid al-Huda in NJ, Masjid Al-Islam in New Haven, CT, and more recent the Lighthouse Mosque, in Oakland, CA. He led the funeral prayer for the late boxing champion and human rights icon, Muhammad Ali. Inspired to work with religious groups on sustainable living and climate change, he is a Green Faith partner in action for the earth. Imam Zaid recently assumed leadership of Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA).

James Spence

Mr. James Spence believes in “stewardship and servitude by all mankind, and for all mankind”.

Converting to Al-Islam in 1998; James and his family have been a part of the Masjid Muhammad Community upon their arrival from Central Virginia in 2014

Mr. Spence graduated with a Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from Old Dominion University; Holds Masters Degrees from Averett University and Virginia State University and is currently working to obtain his doctoral degree.

Mr. Spence is a Veteran and participates with the Muslim American Veterans Association.

Mr. Spence has been married for 24 years (wife-Aleemah) and is the head of a God-fearing household, which includes his wife, a 21 year old son-(Abdul-Shafeeq), a 15 year old daughter-(Asada),and a 6 year old daughter- (Asha)

He is very committed to community service and mentoring; having founded his own mentoring organization for At- Risk young males( Men About Progress); while working with other service-oriented organizations and agencies.

James Spence is a public  educator of 19 years and is the Principal of Dora Kennedy French Immersion Academy within Prince George’s County Maryland, USA.  In this position he oversees the academic, fiscal and facilities development of the language immersion specialty school. Mr. Spence previously worked for two other American School divisions, Currently Mr. Spence is a board member of Masjid Muhammad- Washington D.C., serving as the Education Director. In this position James is tasked with the promotion, facilitation,and stewardship of the community’s educational initiatives. A majority priority being the Masjid Muhammad Clara Muhammad Weekend School.  James has received numerous accommodations and recognitions for efforts within the realm of education, mentoring and community empowerment.

Rashad Shahid

Rashad Shahid is a second-generation Muslim American leader with a diverse background in youth services, religious leadership, and community service. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to empowering and mentoring young people as well as representing the Islamic community through various professional and volunteer roles.

During his formative educational years, Rashad attended the Sister Clara Muhammad Elementary School of Baltimore, MD and in later years attended various Islamic weekend schools in Jacksonville, Florida. He is a graduate of Computer Information Science at the University of North Florida.

Rashad’s journey in youth services began as a volunteer at a local community center, where he helped organize and facilitate after- school programs and summer camps for underprivileged children. He quickly discovered his passion for working with young people and went on to become a Resident Services Director responsible for coordinating several publicly funded programs to improve overall outcomes for youth and their families living in project-based Section 8 housing.

As a former Imam and Islamic Weekend School instructor at the Jacksonville Masjid of Al-Islam, Rashad assisted with instructional programming that focused on character and leadership development. His commitment to serving the community led him to work with several Muslim non-profit organizations such as the Community Wide Shuraa Conference (CWSC) National scholarship committee and Kamp Khalil.

Today, Rashad serves as the director of the Islamic Weekend School of Desoto, where he is responsible for overseeing the school's academic and administrative functions.

Dr. Lynne Beyah El-Amin Muhammad

Dr. Lynne Beyah El-Amin Muhammad is the eldest daughter of nine children born to two Pioneers of The Nation of Islam founded by Elijah Muhammad. After Elijah Muhammad's passing, she continued to work with the national organization of Muslims, led initially by his son, Imam Warith-ud-Deen Mohammed.   She became a Member of the global Muslum Community by taking her Shahada at 16.   

Dr. Lynne Beyah El-Amin Muhammad has participated in numerous Interfaith programs.  She provides Quranic, cultural, and community-based evidence for helping others develop and understand the importance of recognizing and reflecting on our similarities, not our differences. 

Dr. Lynne Beyah El-Amin Muhammad founded The STREAM Labs, a hybrid educational program, in 2013.  She coined the name STREAM (Science, Technology, Reasoning, Engineering, Art & Math) to help educators and students understand the overlapping nature of the core academic curricula and the importance of using an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems. She thanks her mother and the many other dedicated teachers at Muhammad’s University of Islam (MUI), who taught her to use Allah's (God's) Signs as tools for learning about the world around us. 

Dr. Lynne Beyah El-Amin Muhammad and her husband, Imam Nafis Muhammad, have initiated a program called Our Living Legacy.  The program's purpose is to keep the efforts of pioneers who were a part of the origin of Islam in America alive and active. 

Dr. Lynne Beyah Muhammad has developed several health workshops to enlighten youth and adults about the importance of reading the signs of creation. She selects the workshops' content to strengthen her audience's nutritional health. The range of the workshops enables the participants to choose the best possible approach to daily eating.

Dr. Lynne Beyah El-Amin Muhammad runs The STREAM Labs Hybrid Learning program.  The program provides remote, virtual, and face-to-face STEM educational experiences for K-12 youth. In addition, she is the Principal of The New Medinah Islamic School System.   

Dr. Lynne Muhammad has served on the Executive Council of The Mosque Cares.  Dr. Muhammad is an auxiliary member of The International League of Muslim Women, Delta Sigma Theta, American Educational Research Assoc., UIC and LUC Alumni Associations, HWPL Peace Education Program, and The National MUofIslam/SCMS Alumni Association.

Kimberly S. Speight

Kimberly S. Speight is a scientist who has chosen the path of education and loves it. Upon entering college, Kimberly studied as a pre-med student with the intent of becoming a physician; however, her passion for teaching and family life steered her toward a career in education. Following a long line of Magicians in her family, Ms. Speight earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from LeMoyne-Owen College. She continued her studies, earning a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction and an Educational Specialist in Leadership and Policy Studies fro the University of Memphis, while specializing in Leadership for her post-graduate studies towards a Doctorate in Education. While obtaining her degrees, Kimberly has served Memphis-area youth in both private (SCMS) and public education, as well as grant- sponsored programs. She has been an educator in the now Memphis- Shelby County School System for nearly 20 years, currently serving as an Instructional Curricular Coach for High School Science in the turnaround sub-district, IZONE Schools. Her heart has always been in supporting the underserved and at- risk population of students, focusing on Alternative Education Practices and Leadership. Kimberly’s belief in servant leadership drives her involvement in various community service initiatives. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. (Spring 1995) and a member of the International League of Muslim Women, Inc, National Education Committee. Kimberly, along with her Magician friends and family, has hosted the Speight-Sharif Friendsgiving Dinner for the dorm students for LeMoyne-Owen College. As an establishing member of the Halal Food Pantry @ Masjid Al-Mu’minun in Memphis, TN (the first Halal food pantry associated with a National Feeding organization, Mid-South Food Bank), she has consistently served as the Intake Coordinator since its inception in 2012.Kimberly’s experience, education, and training has provided skills that she also uses in service to the greater community as a curriculum developer, a grant writer, and an organization consultant. The lack in equitable accessible solutions in meeting the basic needs of many inner-city children led her to the establishment of Sparkles and Confetti, Inc., which is an organization that is designed to remove barriers to education attainment and success for students in need. Within the Islamic community, she is a member of Masjid Al-Mu’minun. As a student of Sister Clara Muhammad School, she returned as a teacher and remains as a servant leader within the community. Currently finishing a second term on the Board of Directors of Masjid Al-Mu’minun as the Vice- President, formally the Secretary, she strives to impact community activity through chairmanship, membership, and community engagement.

Amatullah Alaji-Sabrie

Amatullah Alaji-Sabrie has a background and professional experience in education, both in teaching and administration (K-12); administration in higher education; and labor negotiations. She is known as a social justice advocate in the Muslim and broader community in the East Bay and San Francisco area. For over twenty years she was a leader in the labor unions movement within the University of California system. Amatullah’s teaching and administrative work in education began at the Muhammad University of Islam in New York City 1970-1975. In September 1975 she moved to Chicago to accompany Ameenah Rasul (consultant to Imam Warithuddin Mohammed (raa) and the Muslim Women Development Class) as her administrative assistant. She returned to education as the principal, 1983-1984, at the Sister Clara Muhammad School, Oakland, California. In 1994 she founded and was the Bilal Ibn Rabah Institute board chairperson. Amatullah’s community service includes interfaith activities and presentations; membership in CRAID (Committee to Remove All Images that attempt to portray the Divine); former speaker with ING (Islamic Networks Group); former board member Zaytuna College; Masjid Waritheen Prison Dawah Services and currently the Health and Wellness Committee. She was also blessed to perform Hajj in 1995. It was during her twenty five year career at the University of California and involvement in the labor movement that Amatullah honed her skills in contract negotiations. She served in the role of chief negotiator leading several bargaining teams to successfully negotiate contracts for administrative professionals at the University of California’s multiple campuses and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In 2017, she was one of the recipients of the UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award. Her experiences in the labor movement deepened her appreciation for the example of Prophet Muhammad (saaws) as a statesman, businessman, leader and courageous negotiator. She also believes an examination of the leadership style of Imam Warithuddin Mohammed (raa) reveals his skills as a courageous negotiator as he reminded and encouraged us to utilize shuraa baynahum in our daily and community lives and governance. She and husband Hajji Sabrie have two adult children, Tauheed and Najwa Sabrie.