Shahadah Inc. Board Members
Founder & President
Basirah Raheem
Basirah Raheem
Basirah Raheem is the President of Shahadah Inc. and a pioneer of Healing Justice for Black Muslim converts. Rooted in Hip Hop Arts and Culture, Basirah’s journey into Islam 11 years ago was a quest for authenticity, finding the bridge between her true self and her divine purpose.
Having navigated her early years as a convert without a soft place to land, Basirah now “mothers” Shahadah Inc. as the sanctuary she once needed. As an Art ED CFO, Visionary Poet, Dissolving Life Coach, she designs specialized universal creative curricula that integrate historical truth with creative expression, ensuring the path to Allah is rooted in mercy rather than constant judgment, inshallah.
What began as the Young Black Muslimah podcast has evolved into a National NGO.
Akil Abdul-Rahman
Director of African American Cultural Affairs
L. Graham
Imam Abdul Rahim
Imam, Tasawuff Education Director (Ghana)
Imam Abdulai Abdul Rahim is a distinguished scholar, spiritual leader, and community mobilizer dedicated to the intersection of faith, service, and holistic development. A First Class Honors graduate in Religious Studies from the Islamic University College, Ghana (IUCG), he furthered his expertise in Arabic at the Ghana Institute of Languages to facilitate deep Islamic scholarship and religious dialogue. His vast linguistic range, covering nine languages including English, Arabic, Hausa, and Dagbani, allows him to serve as a vital bridge across cultural and social divides.
In his professional and leadership life, Abdulai serves as a Board Member of the Ghanaian Chapter of Shahadah Inc. and has contributed significantly to the Ghana Police Service as an Assistant Imam and Research Personnel. His leadership extends to traditional and student governance, having served as the Mole-Dagbon Chief of IUCG and President of the Tijaniyya Muslim Students Association. Beyond his institutional roles, he is a dedicated humanitarian and healer, founding the De Mystic Lotus Foundation to provide holistic spiritual and herbal healing and to support the Muslim Ummah. A firm believer in the dignity of labor, Abdulai also manages successful ventures in cattle farming and agriculture, embodying a unique balance between spiritual enlightenment and community transformation.
Akil Abdul-Rahman Ibn Mustafa Al-Maliki is a student of knowledge. He was born a Muslim, but not raised Muslim. His earliest memory of Islam is watching his father perform salah at a Brooklyn Masjid. The view of a head on the floor in sujud is the image that permeated his memory.
Later in life, Allah Ta'ala called, and he didn’t let another night pass without taking Shahadah. Allah Ta'ala placed it in his heart to call the Muslim who had demonstrated Sujud to him in his earliest memories: his father, may Allah be pleased with him.
This new chapter led him to my Muqaddim, Hasan Clark, then to my tutorial Sheikh, Sheikh Ahmad Mubarak, and Sheikh Mujahid Abdul Karim of Fayda Institute. This new path, as a student of knowledge and a teacher to a few, has been a major part of his introduction to Shahadah Inc. Once you have beneficial knowledge, you now carry the responsibility of sharing it and welcoming others to Islam.
Through these lessons, his love for Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala continues to grow, and , his heart continues to open. As Akil came across African scholars and began studying their texts, his love for African Islamic history grew even deeper.
Akil’s focus is on sharing knowledge, putting it into practice, and helping those in need.
Community Director
Lanitta Graham joins Shahadah Inc. with lived experience as a recent convert to Islam. She encountered Shahadah sessions during her first year as a Muslimah. Those sessions served as guidance, inspiration, and a tool for personal growth. Servitude is a core personal value for Lanitta, which aligns closely with Shahadah Inc’s mission to support and serve new Muslims. Her emphasis on servitude and community care directly supports Shahadah Inc’s commitment to nurturing new Muslims.
Lanitta is here to help connect new Muslims with all that Shahadah Inc. has to offer. She serves as an informed point of contact for individuals interested in Shahadah Inc.’s mission, programs, and services, and coordinates communal relations and outreach. She is positioned to both learn from and contribute to the team and the members of Shahadah, Inc., strengthening our capacity to offer support.
Secora Chambers
Secora Chambers is the Vice President of Shahadah Inc. and oversees organizational operations. She is committed to service and has a professional background in marketing and business administration. Secora has supported a range of non-profits and businesses across different communities over the years. Her commitment to service and the arts led her into this position, embedding Islamic identity within creative expression. As a lifelong artist, she draws inspiration from Allah's designs, the reflections of this world, which she describes as “painted poetry”.
Secora plans to help our community blossom and share the beauty of Islam by strengthening meaningful connections and establishing community through kindness, reflection, and expression.
Vice President, Operations Manager
Imam Abdul Azeez
Imam, Education Director for New Shahadahs
Imam Abdul Azeez is a distinguished Board Member of Shahadah Inc. and the Resident Imam of Al Masjidu Adam Community Life Center for Human Excellence in the Bronx, NY. A prominent figure in American Muslim leadership, he serves as the Amir of the Association of African American Muslim Imams (AAAMI). He is an Executive Board Member of the Community Wide Shura Conference (CWSC), where he also directs the National Leadership Advisory Council and the National Ambassador Program.
A prolific communicator and educator, Imam Abdul Azeez is the Founder and President of Ash Shifaa Inc., an AM360 talk show host, a Muslim chaplain, and the Editor-in-Chief of Our Narrative Publications. His literary contributions include the authorship of "Master Bilal." His commitment to social infrastructure is evident in his role as the founder of several organizations, including the Community Life Center for Human Excellence, the Pioneer Nation Network (PNN), the Youth Nation Network (YNN), and the Abdul Qadir Dixon Senior/Youth Center.
In the specialized field of Halal governance, he serves as the Founder, CEO, and Executive Director of Halal Inspections Training and Auditing for the Halal branch of Ash Shifaa Inc. His expertise is further recognized by the New York Department of Agriculture, where he serves as a certifying inspector and the North East Regional Supervisor for Halal, ensuring the highest standards of integrity for the community.