Militant Islam Monitor > Articles > Black Muslim Leadership Council & Fund Lead By Ex CAIR Advisor Salima Suswell Also Working WIth CAIR & Emgage
Black Muslim Leadership Council & Fund Lead By Ex CAIR Advisor Salima Suswell Also Working WIth CAIR & Emgage
Muslim Groups Recruiting Democrat Voters Promote Jihad & Jew Hatred Under The Guise Of 'Civic Engagement'
August 12, 2024
vhttps://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=797436285849378&set=pcb.797436349182705
CAIR - Philadelphia Chapter is in Philadelphia City Hall.
Spndosetrou3au5c4i1lJfa2hmhfi3fulch6giy7u 87cmhal5ti1l8m40l1 ·
Thank you to our community for joining us for our second annual Muslim City Hall Day in partnership with Emgage PA (@emgageaction).
As Muslim Philadelphians, we must continue to show up especially at the local level to ensure that our needs are met. Stay tuned for our next event Muslim Capitol Day coming in the fall!
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRPhilly/posts/pfbid0xQEsvkK6og9F4oYf5tPeZxkW7yfw5A7RziKR32C3F5TTTGa7yGRMeJCVjrVN85n3l#?dcj
https://www.facebook.com/CAIRPhilly/posts/pfbid0xQEsvkK6og9F4oYf5tPeZxkW7yfw5A7RziKR32C3F5TTTGa7yGRMeJCVjrVN85n3l
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MIM :As we wrote on July 8, 2024:
Philly Mayor Launched an "Interfaith RoundTables" initiative at 'Caliphate Hall' Lead By Salafist Imam,Temple U Prof, MSA Advisor and 'Director of Muslim Engagement' Quaiser Abdullah with the Interfaith Philadelphia Coalition.
MIM: The relentless 'stealth jihad' aimed at turning City Hall into the City Caliphate and replace the Constitution with the Koran is being spearheaded by CAIR and Emgage. They are aided and abetted by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker who was endorsed by both groups who delivered the Muslim vote to her.
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MiM: According to CAIR/Hamas and Emgage:
"As Muslim Philadelphians we must continue to show up especially at the local level to ensure that our needs are met."
MIM:A photo of the "Muslim City Hall Day" today ( 7/8/2024) on the Facebook page of The Council On American Relations (a front group for Hamas) and their allies Emgage who were welcomed at' 'Caliphate Hall' to press for their Islamosupremacist agenda and "ensure that our needs are met".
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=797436285849378&set=pcb.797436349182705
CAIR - Philadelphia Chapter is in Philadelphia City Hall.
7/8/2024
Thank you to our community for joining us for our second annual Muslim City Hall Day in partnership with Emgage PA (@emgageaction).
As Muslim Philadelphians, we must continue to show up especially at the local level to ensure that our needs are met. Stay tuned for our next event Muslim Capitol Day coming in the fall!
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MIM: Note that the white Council On American Islamic Relations (CAIR) sign (on the left of the group picture) boldly and brazenly proclaims:
"Organizing For Good- Living Our Faith" leaving no question that CAIR is a Muslim religious organisation whose aim is to promote Islamic/sharia law.
"Protecting Civil Rights" - Demanding that non Muslims comply with sharia precepts when dealing with Muslims.
"Enchancing The Understandig Of Islam" - Dawah under the quise of interfaith activities and education.
Promoting Civic Engagement - The photograph above says it all.
"Challenging Islamophobia" - Shutting down any criticism and critics of Islam or Muslims using legal means (lawfare and shakedowns)
MIM:(Commonly used as a pretext for litigation against law enforcement,educational institutions and employers for not accomodating Muslim religious demands in secular spaces)
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MIM: For more on CAIR see:
'Civil rights group' partially funded by the Saudi Wahhabi establishment
Has numerous ties to extremist Islamic organizations
https://www.discoverthenetworks.org/organizations/council-on-americanislamic-relations-cair/
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MIM: Emgage's poster on the left of the group picture declares "Muslim Voter Mobilization". The military term "mobilization" is deliberate and leaves no question as to the promotion of Muslim political power is the tactic of choice in the Islamic 'stealth jihad' which envisions the Islamisation of America and the world as a 'fard' religious obligation incumbent upon all Muslims.
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MIM: The Black Muslim Leadership Council and Black Muslim Leadership Fund were founded and are directed by former CAIR Advisory Board Member Salima Suswell.
Member, CAIR-Philadelphia Advisory Board
9/9/2016
Salima Suswell currently serves as an Advisory Board member for the Council on American Islamic Relations – Philadelphia Chapter, with a focus upon Government Relations and Community Outreach.
In 2010, Salima founded Evolve Solutions, LLC., which is a consultancy firm specializing in Project Management, Government Relations, Public Relations, Community Engagement, and Event Production. Prior to establishing her own company, Salima worked as a Senior Litigation Specialist with the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania and as a Senior Litigation Paralegal for several prestigious national law firms.
Salima remains actively involved in the political process within the Philadelphia – Delaware Valley region, contributing her expertise and talents to local political organizations and campaigns. Among Salima's noteworthy contributions are the leadership and production of the Annual Philadelphia City Hall Iftar Dinner, held at the Mayor's Reception Hall at City Hall; her efforts with the leadership team of the Philadelphia Eid Coalition, who worked successfully to obtain the recognition of the two Eid Holidays in Philadelphia Public Schools and various Charter schools; and served as Chair of the Muslim American Host Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
Salima also serves as the National Diversity Director for the Council for Advancement of Muslim Professionals. Salima started her work with CAMP in 2007, serving as an Advisory Board Member for the CAMP Philadelphia Chapter, in 2007 through 2010. Thereafter, Salima served as President of the CAMP Philadelphia Chapter, in 2010 through 2012.
Salima holds a degree from combined studies at Pierce College and Drexel University's Lebow College of Business. Salima is currently studying Organizational Leadership and Development, at Saint Joseph's University.
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MIM: In 2017 CAIR Philly issued a press release celebrating Suswell's appointment/infiltration of then PA Governor Tom Wolfe's PA Commission For Women.
CAIR-Philly's Salima Suswell Appointed to PA Commission for Women
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ON OCTOBER 25, 2017
Among the new appointees is CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Committee Member Salima Suswell. Salima is a business owner, Philadelphia community leader, and political activist.
https://pa.cair.com/pressrelease/salima-suswell-commission-for-women
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MIM: The Black Muslim Leadership Council (BMLI) is the strategic twin of The Black Muslim Leadership Council 'Fund' which was set up after the BLMC 501c3/was to allow for political engagement.
As a registered 501c4 the BLMCFund is allowed to :
***501(c)(4)s may engage in some partisan activity, but partisan political activity cannot be the primary purpose of a 501(c)(4) organization***
The head of the BMLC and BMLCFund Salima Suswell is also the Senior Advisor for Emgage (and former CAIR board advisor) which is:
Emgage
"The political home for Muslim Americans
Emgage educates and mobilizes Muslim American voters in support of policies that enable our communities to thrive and democracy to flourish."
https://donatestock.com/emgage-foundation-inc
(Needless to say there is no mention of Salima Suswell's working ties to CAIR & Emgage in the JPost article.)
***The Black Muslim Leadership Council's BMLC 'About Us- Leadership Team' page lists Salima Suswell as the Founder and CEO.
*** The Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund's page also lists Suswell as the Founder and CEO.
501(c)(3) Board
https://blackmuslimleadership.org/meet-our-team/
501(C)(4) BOARD
https://bmlcfund.org/meet-our-team/
MIM: Summary:
Salima Suswell founded The Black Muslim Leadership Council first and later added the Black Muslim Leadership Fund as a way to legally engage in political activity. It is noteworthy that the 501c3 and 501c4 designations are prominently featured at the top of both their 'Board' members lists.
Suswell is presented in the article as a 'black Muslim leader' founder and CEO of the Black Muslim Leadership Council"which was only founded 6 months ago at Philadelphia's Caliphate Hall to operate as yet another branch of CAIR and Emgage which is registered as a 501c3.
Suswell's position as the head of both the BMLC Fund and the Senior Advisor of Emgage national and Pennsylvania also raises the question of *** 'conflict of interests' ***
"Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund is the advocacy 501(c)(4) wing of the Black Muslim Leadership Council. Under this structure, we advocate for policies for urban communities including, but not limited to, social and criminal justice, environmental justice, economic equity, and more. We aim to address the vital needs of our community through effective, sustained action. We also endorse candidates who support the morals, values, and unique needs of the communities we serve."
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MIM: It should come as no surprise that Imam Dr. Quaiser Abdullah was appointed by Philly Mayor Parker as the 'first ever' Director of Muslim Engagement. Both CAIR and Emgage endorsed her candidacy. The ongoing special status which she has given to Muslim individuals and groups in her city government is a quid pro quo.
Abdullah is also the Board Chair of the Black Muslim Leadership Council (which is separate from the BLMC Fund which is a 501c4.
Black Muslim Leadership Council - Suswell is listed as the Founder and CEO.
501(c)(3) Board
Quaiser D. Abdullah, Ph.D., (PA)
BOARD CHAIR
Dr. Quaiser D. Abdullah, Ph.D., is the newly appointed Director of Muslim Engagement in the Mayor's inaugural Office of Muslim Engagement. Dr. Quaiser is also an assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Social Influence at Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University. He currently serves as the Program Director for the Master of Science in Communication Management at Klein. His teaching portfolio covers undergraduate and graduate courses in conflict resolution, mediation, conflict within educational systems, interpersonal communication, leadership, and organizational Development.
Dr. Quaiser earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Religion, with a minor in Asian Studies. He then went on to earn a graduate degree in Adult Learning and Organizational Development and a doctorate in Educational Psychology. Dr. Quaiser currently serves as the board chair for Interfaith Philadelphia (2021-2024), co-president for the Association for Conflict Resolution (2023-2024), co-chair for the Mayor's Commission on Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs in Philadelphia, PA (2021-2023), and faculty/staff advisor for the MSA at Temple University. In 2013, SAGE published his chapter entitled "Muslim Leader Formation and Education" under the Religious Leadership project in The SAGE Reference Series on Leadership. His chapter, "Daanaa Abdullah: Exemplar of Community Leadership" was published in Democratic Ethical Educational Leadership: Reclaiming School Reform, in 2015 by Routledge. Dr. Quaiser serves as an expert witness, providing valuable insights on verbal aggression and its effects on community trust, during arbitration hearings for disciplined police officers.
Dr. Quaiser is one of the Imams at Masjid Quba. He has also served as Chairman and COO of Quba Institute, which is a 70-year-old organization that has established social institutions that support the Muslim community in the Philadelphia area. He also served as the conference chair for the Muslim Alliance of North America's (MANA's) annual conference in Philadelphia in 2007 and 2008. He previously served on the board of the Association of Muslim Chaplains and as a chaplain with the 18th District in Philadelphia's Police Department.
https://blackmuslimleadership.org/meet-our-team/
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For more see:
Imam Quaiser Abdullah: Made 'Director Of Muslim Engagement' By Philly Mayor Parker After Endorsements By CAIR & Emgage
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/8102
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Philly Mayor Launches "Interfaith RoundTables" At 'Caliphate Hall' Lead By Imam Quaiser Abdullah 'To Solve City's Problems'
July 8, 2024
https://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/8112
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Salima Suswell
Emgage
Senior Advisor
National and Pennsylvania
Salima Suswell serves as Senior Advisor for Emgage, the nation's largest Muslim American civic engagement organization. Salima is considered one of the nation's emerging leaders and top strategic thinkers on the local, state and national level. Salima also serves as CEO & President of Evolve Solutions, a management consulting firm founded in 2010. Salima founded Evolve Solutions to address the racial and socio-economic disparities within the black community. Evolve Solutions is an award-winning company which provides from the ground floor up, political and policy development that positively impacts community engagement outcomes.
Salima's noteworthy contributions include her role as Director for the Philadelphia Eid Coalition, who made history by leading a successful campaign to obtain the recognition of the two Islamic (Eid) Holidays on the academic calendar for Philadelphia Public Schools;
*** her role as Chair of the Muslim American Host Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention, held in Philadelphia; her role as Pennsylvania Deputy Senior Advisor for the Biden-Harris 2020 Campaign; and her role as Vice-President and key organizer for Women's March on Philadelphia, which drew over 60,000 attendees annually.***
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EMGAGE'S COMMITTMENT TO BLACK MUSLIM AMERICANS
Emgage honors and recognizes the critically important role that Black Muslims play in the origins of Islam in America. Today, Emgage seeks to serve African American and African Muslim communities that have been too-often marginalized by Islamophobia, classism, and racism, both within and outside the Muslim community. Black Muslims play a pivotal role in elections, and their votes have had important impacts in key victories, including President Biden's victory in Pennsylvania.
We at Emgage seek to ensure that Black Muslim communities have the resources needed to thrive, be civically engaged, and have their voices represented.
EMGAGE'S AFRICAN AMERICAN POLICY ADVISORY GROUP
"...In 2022, the committee started an organizing initiative to hire Black Muslim organizers in key states to build voter outreach in cities with a significant African American population like Detroit, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. The committee has worked together for the past two years to advance the needs of African American communities that are often overlooked.
For more information and to get involved, contact National Senior Advisor Salima Suswell at [email protected]
https://emgageusa.org/emgages-african-american-community-engagement/
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Salima Suswell
Member, CAIR-Philadelphia Advisory Board
9/9/2016
Salima Suswell currently serves as an Advisory Board member for the Council on American Islamic Relations – Philadelphia Chapter, with a focus upon Government Relations and Community Outreach.
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MIM: Suswell is only identified as a 'Black Muslim Leader' in this Jerusalem Post article in which she explains why Black Muslims endorse Harris for president. "
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Harris shows 'more sympathy' for Gaza than Biden and Trump, says black Muslim leader
By Jeruslalem Post Staff Published: AUGUST 12, 2024 00:09
The Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund praises VP Kamala Harris for her empathetic stance on Gaza, highlighting her calls for a ceasefire and strong leadership on key issues.
Vice President Kamala Harris has displayed greater empathy for the people of Gaza than both President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump, according to Salima Suswell, the founder and chief executive of the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund.
In a recent interview with NBC, Suswell praised Harris for her calls for a ceasefire and her efforts to ensure aid reaches Gaza, noting, "She has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and has shown deep empathy toward civilian life."
The Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, is known for its advocacy on behalf of the Black Muslim community in the United States.
Established by Suswell, the fund focuses on a range of issues including social and criminal justice, economic equity, and environmental justice.
The organization has been particularly vocal about the need for a balanced US foreign policy, especially concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Vice President Kamala Harris has displayed greater empathy for the people of Gaza than both President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump, according to Salima Suswell, the founder and chief executive of the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund. In a recent interview with NBC, Suswell praised Harris for her calls for a ceasefire and her efforts to ensure aid reaches Gaza, noting, "She has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and has shown deep empathy toward civilian life."
The Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, is known for its advocacy on behalf of the Black Muslim community in the United States.
****Established by Suswell, the fund focuses on a range of issues including social and criminal justice, economic equity, and environmental justice. The organization has been particularly vocal about the need for a balanced US foreign policy, especially concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.*****
This recent endorsement of Harris marks a significant shift, as many Muslim organizations had previously been critical of Biden and were uncertain about Harris's stance on Middle Eastern policy.
The leadership of the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund includes figures such as Mu'min Islam, a seasoned attorney and the Board Chair, and Sahr Ali, the Board Vice-Chair, who is also the President and Co-Founder of Black Muslims Now, a grassroots organization in New York City.
Harris' positions on domestic issues
The organization's endorsement of Harris is rooted not only in her stance on Gaza but also in her positions on critical domestic issues such as economic opportunity, health care, and criminal justice reform.
Suswell highlighted that these issues are of paramount importance to the Black Muslim community and that Harris has shown strong leadership in these areas.
https://m.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-814309
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MIM: Recap:
Salima Suswell was a CAIR Philadelphia advisory board member for government relations and community outreach in 2016.
She was recently appointed a Senior Advisor at Emgage - PA and National
She was Pennsylvania Deputy Senior Advisor for the Biden-Harris 2020 Campaign.
Suswell is the CEO and founder of the new Black Muslim Leadership Council (501c3) and the Black Muslim Leadership Fund (501c4)
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Excerpt:
Nation's first council for Black Muslims launches in Philadelphia
- Kiara Santos TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
- Mar 8, 2024
The nation's first Black Muslim Leadership Council, or BMLC for short, was launched in City Hall on Friday with hopes to engage political leaders with Black Muslim voters and hear about their concerns.
The new entity aims to raise the representation and political influence of Black Muslims and set the agenda in the public and private sectors as the presidential election inches closer.
"The council is a result of countless hours by so many dedicated, brilliant individuals, and I am thrilled that this day is finally here," said the council's founder and CEO Salima Suswell. "It means even more to me to launch BMLC in Philadelphia, a city where m+y parents were pioneers in the Black American Muslim community, a community of which I am a devoted member."
Suswell was joined by Muslim leaders nationally and locally, including: Ryan Boyer, business manager of the Laborers District Council; Catherine Hicks, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP; Omar Sabir, city commissioner; Quaiser Abdullah, director of the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Muslim Engagement; state Sen. Sharif Street; Mika'il Stewart Saadiq, BMLC project manager; and Brittany Smalls of Black Voters Matter Pennsylvania.
The newly founded group will have a political action wing and a nonprofit branch for nonpartisan strategies and election education classes to increase voter turnout. Its members are particularly focusing on swing states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia.
The group anticipates that its formation will lead President Joe Biden and other political leaders to connect more with Black Muslim voters and hear about their concerns over issues such as affordable housing, disparities in Black maternal health, economic opportunities and education policies for young people.
"The issues that affect Black Muslims are issues that affect lots of other folks," Street said. "Black people's journey to Islam is one that cannot be separated from the civil rights movement and our journey to civil rights. Often those who are least educated, most likely to be affected by mass incarceration, most likely to be shot, most likely to have all the problems others folks have, and also those who are most likely to have the highest levels of education because Islam grew in the Black community, both in colleges and in prisons."
Black Muslims are the second-largest population of American Muslims. Roughly 70% to 80% of the Philadelphia Muslim community is Black, according to BMLC's press release. The group advocates to no longer be neglected in a social, economic and political sense.
Street noted the SEPTA bus shooting that left teenager dead and four others injured on Monday. The teen, Dayemen Taylor, received a Muslim funeral, a Janazah.
A young man who was killed from Imhotep," Street said. "He was a Muslim. In 2021, my nephew was shot at Ashby and 60th Street. There are Muslims dying in the streets as well. We care about their lives."
Suswell said that while the overall Muslim community is prioritizing conflicts in the Middle East, the Black Muslim community is positioned to help reflect the interests of the larger civil rights community.
"The Black Muslims have also become a significant voice," she said. "When it comes to voting and advocating to drive those voters to the polls, their voices will be instrumental in ensuring a greater turnout to the polls and to our voting system."
ksantosatphillytrib.com 215-893-5787
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Imam Quaiser Abdullah: Made 'Director Of Muslim Engagement' By Philly Mayor Parker After Endorsements By CAIR & Emgage
April 25, 2024
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker Announces Appointments and Reappointments as the Parker Administration Continues to Grow
March 8, 2024
"The nation's first Black Muslim Leadership Council, or BMLC for short, was launched in City Hall on Friday with hope to engage political leaders with Black Muslim voters and hear about their concerns."
"The council is a result of countless hours by so many dedicated, brilliant individuals, and I am thrilled that this day is finally here," said the council's founder and CEO Salima Suswell."
Suswell was joined by Muslim leaders nationally and locally, including: Ryan Boyer, business manager of the Laborers District Council; Catherine Hicks, president of the Philadelphia chapter of the NAACP; Omar Sabir, city commissioner; *Quaiser Abdullah, director of the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Muslim Engagement; *state Sen. Sharif Street; Mika'il Stewart Saadiq, BMLC project manager; and Brittany Smalls of Black Voters Matter Pennsylvania.
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Salima Suswell
Senior Advisor
National and Pennsylvania
Salima Suswell serves as Senior Advisor for Emgage, the nation's largest Muslim American civic engagement organization. Salima is considered one of the nation's emerging leaders and top strategic thinkers on the local, state and national level. Salima also serves as CEO & President of Evolve Solutions, a management consulting firm founded in 2010. Salima founded Evolve Solutions to address the racial and socio-economic disparities within the black community. Evolve Solutions is an award-winning company which provides from the ground floor up, political and policy development that positively impacts community engagement outcomes.
Salima's noteworthy contributions include her role as Director for the Philadelphia Eid Coalition, who made history by leading a successful campaign to obtain the recognition of the two Islamic (Eid) Holidays on the academic calendar for Philadelphia Public Schools; her role as Chair of the Muslim American Host Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention, held in Philadelphia;
***her role as Pennsylvania Deputy Senior Advisor for the Biden-Harris 2020 Campaign; and her role as Vice-President and key organizer for Women's March on Philadelphia, which drew over 60,000 attendees annually.***
Salima serves on the Leadership Council for the United Negro College Fund (Philadelphia Chapter); in 2017 Salima made history as the first Muslim woman appointed to the Governor's Advisory Commission on Women by Governor Tom Wolf; in 2020 Salima was appointed by Mayor James Kenney to the Mayor's Commission for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs); in 2023 Salima was reappointed to the Governor's Advisory Commission on Women by Governor Josh Shapiro.
In 2018, Salima founded the Philadelphia Ramadan & Eid Fund, a non-profit organization that oversees the annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner at City Hall, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha festivities, toy/gift giveaways and more. PREF's mission is to provide the community with Ramadan and Eid programming and shared experiences for children, youth and families, while celebrating the rich diversity within our region.
Salima has received distinguished honors and awards from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pennsylvania State Senate, Philadelphia City Council, the Women-UP Organization, City and State Magazine, the Muslim Youth Association, The Philadelphia Public Record, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune Women of Achievement Magazine and the prestigious Faatimah Gamble Legacy Award. In November 2019, Salima was honored by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a Diversity and Inclusion Pioneer. Last year, Salima was named as a "Faith Leader to Watch in 2022" by the Center for American Progress. In 2023 Salima was presented with the "Keeper of the Flame Award" by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
Reach me at [email protected]
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Salima Suswell
Member, CAIR-Philadelphia Advisory Board
9/9/2016
Salima Suswell currently serves as an Advisory Board member for the Council on American Islamic Relations – Philadelphia Chapter, with a focus upon Government Relations and Community Outreach.
In 2010, Salima founded Evolve Solutions, LLC., which is a consultancy firm specializing in Project Management, Government Relations, Public Relations, Community Engagement, and Event Production. Prior to establishing her own company, Salima worked as a Senior Litigation Specialist with the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania and as a Senior Litigation Paralegal for several prestigious national law firms.
Salima remains actively involved in the political process within the Philadelphia – Delaware Valley region, contributing her expertise and talents to local political organizations and campaigns. Among Salima's noteworthy contributions are the leadership and production of the Annual Philadelphia City Hall Iftar Dinner, held at the Mayor's Reception Hall at City Hall; her efforts with the leadership team of the Philadelphia Eid Coalition, who worked successfully to obtain the recognition of the two Eid Holidays in Philadelphia Public Schools and various Charter schools; and served as Chair of the Muslim American Host Committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
Salima also serves as the National Diversity Director for the Council for Advancement of Muslim Professionals. Salima started her work with CAMP in 2007, serving as an Advisory Board Member for the CAMP Philadelphia Chapter, in 2007 through 2010. Thereafter, Salima served as President of the CAMP Philadelphia Chapter, in 2010 through 2012.
Salima holds a degree from combined studies at Pierce College and Drexel University's Lebow College of Business. Salima is currently studying Organizational Leadership and Development, at Saint Joseph's University.
https://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/8102
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Group representing Black Muslims wants to be heard nationally
The suburban Philadelphia based group said they have formed their organization so that their voices are heard by President Joe Biden and other elected officials.
Tom McDonald
March 8, 2024
Excerpts:
A new group has formed in Philadelphia with a goal of making sure the voices of Black Muslims are heard on a national basis.
The Black Muslim Leadership Council calls itself the first Black American Muslim led group in the country. The group's founder Salima Suswell said they want to give voice to an under-represented portion of the county.
"For the first time in history, we are establishing an institution that will capture the voices of our unique Black American Muslim community.'
Philadelphia is home to one of the largest Black Muslim populations," Suswell said. "Initially BMLC will prioritize work in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, all states that have large Black Muslim populations."..."
"...State Senator Sharif Street added there are many Black Muslims who are already in powerful positions.
"I'm a Muslim. Ryan Boyer is a Muslim, former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson is Muslim, Bilal Qayyum, who was a big shot in the commerce department for a long time and who is now an activist, is a Muslim. The Sheriff Rochelle Bilal is a Muslim along with Councilmember Curtis Jones, he's a Muslim."
Ryan Boyer, who in 2021 became the first leader of the powerful Building Trades Council in Philadelphia, said the new Muslim group wants to make sure the needs of Black Muslims are heard on a national level.
"We decided to start this so that our civic voice can be heard in a unified way. And we can change the narrative of what Islam and what Muslims look like in America, and particularly in Philadelphia during this critical time."
The group is not making a political stand, although the press information said the newly formed organization wants to ensure their voices are heard by President Biden and other elected officials.
The release also went on to say the group "will focus on the thousands of civilians killed in Gaza during the war between Israel and Hamas and on domestic issues such as mobilizing voters in swing states, and pushing lawmakers to lay out policies to improve the lives of Black Muslims living across the United States."
https://whyy.org/articles/black-muslim-leadership-council-philadelphia-biden/
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A WOMAN BORN TO LEAD
Salima Suswell views politics from a local, national, and international level, and thinks you should too.
By Denise Clay-Murray
March 2024
From the streets of our nation's capital to Philadelphia's City Hall, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to protests that have bled into the 2024 presidential election.
For example, members of the Muslim community in Michigan, one of the largest in the United States, have pledged to withhold their votes from President Joe Biden because they believe he hasn't been hard enough on Israel for such things as bombing hospitals and otherwise making the citizens of Palestine pay for the crimes of Hamas.
Salima Suswell, the founder and chief executive of the Black Muslim Leadership Council, understands where her Muslim brothers and sisters are coming from on this issue. But like most marginalized communities, America's Muslims can multitask.
And part of that multitasking involves pushing the Biden administration to do what it can to help the Black community in general, and Black Muslims in particular, on the domestic front.
"All Muslims are not 100% concerned with foreign policy issues," Suswell said. "I mean, we are impacted by what's happening in the Middle East, absolutely. And there is solidarity between Black Muslims and Palestinian Muslims just because of the shared understanding and experience with genocide and oppression and occupation. But at the same time, there are things happening right here in America that deeply impact Black Muslims, Latino Muslims, Caribbean Muslims and African immigrant Muslims living in urban communities."
Since getting involved in politics during the 2004 Bush/Kerry presidential race, Suswell has worked toward making sure that Philadelphians understand just how important their votes are. Suswell is the president and CEO of Evolve Solutions, a governmental affairs and community engagement firm. She is also a member of the Mayor's Commission on Faith-Based and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. She is also the founder and chair of the Philadelphia Ramadan and Eid Fund.
With the Black Muslim Leadership Council, which was announced during a press conference in City Hall earlier this month, she once again takes her leadership skills to the national stage to advocate on behalf of a community that doesn't really get discussed when we talk about issues important to Muslims.
The SUN spoke with Suswell about how she got into politics, what the media gets wrong about the Muslim community, how she makes her mark in a profession that doesn't always support women, and how she's preparing for her next phase.
SUN: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. You've been in politics for a while now here in Philadelphia and around the country. What got you interested in it?
SS: I started out when I was in my 20s. I was doing paralegal work, and the Committee of 70 would reach out to lawyers and paralegals to support Election Day protection activities. I was working with this firm called Pepper Hamilton at the time, and I would go out on Election Day, to the polling places, and make sure that the correct signage was up, all of the instructions were there, that there was no voter intimidation and that campaigns weren't standing too close to the polling site. So that's how I got started in election protection.
And then, I worked for my good friend, who would become a [state] senator and chair of the Democratic Party, Sharif Street, during one of his first campaigns. He was a fellow Muslim, and knew that I was doing paralegal work because I was working for Pepper while he was working at Wolf Bloch as an attorney, so we saw each other often. He asked me for help volunteering on his campaign. I helped to form a group under his campaign called Sisters for Street, and Sisters for Street became the leading force in fundraising and field operations for the campaign.
So, I got to learn some things as a volunteer, and I continued to volunteer. I helped [chair of the City Commissioners] Omar Sabir and other Muslims who were seeking elected office. Then, I got opportunities from non-Muslims who were paying attention to me and wanting to benefit from the skills I'd acquired, so I started doing it professionally through my consulting firm Evolve Solutions, which handles community and governmental affairs.
Suswell speaking at a press conference, including State Sen. Sharif Street (D-3rd Dist.) (l) and Rep. Jordan Harris (186th Dist.) in background.
Photo courtesy: Salima Suswell
SUN: Traditionally, Pennsylvania hasn't been kind politically to women, people of color, and members of the Muslim community. What has been your biggest challenge doing the work that you do and how have you met that challenge?
SS: I just want to make sure that I understand your question. You want to know how I've managed by [the] biggest challenge…
SUN: …as both a Black woman, and a Muslim…
SS: …and a Muslim with a hijab. Don't forget that…
SUN: How could I forget that?
SS: Yeah… I don't think about those things when I'm doing the work. There are barriers, of course. Sometimes, people don't accept Black Muslims. There is Islamophobia, but there's also anti-Black Islamophobia, where folks don't expect you to be an actual, practicing Muslim if you're Black. They assume that Muslims are Arab or South Asian, and that it's not common for Black people to practice Islam, which is odd because the majority of American Muslims are African American.
And so, being an African American Muslim, I have always found myself sort of working to uplift Black Muslims and the excellence and talent that exists within the community, not just at a local level, but also at a national level. Black Muslims have unique needs, so uplifting those needs has been a huge part of my life's work. And then being a woman in a space that is dominated by men, I can remember…I was working under folks for a long time as I was navigating and building my career in politics. And then, it got to a point where I was being recognized as more of a leader and I learned the hard way that folks like you more when you say yes than when you say no. I had to fight for the respect that I have today.
SUN: What do you think that we as not only political reporters but as Americans and Pennsylvanians overall, don't get right when it comes to the Muslim community? What don't we understand?
SS: I think that what people don't understand about the Muslim community is that we are not a monolith. There are many Muslims that are hurt, I would say, about what's happening in Gaza. No one wants to see babies dying and a death toll that has moved beyond 30,000 individuals in just a short period of time. But I think that what folks should also know, is that Black Americans — Black Muslim Americans — are concerned with domestic policies as well that are impacting our lives and the city in large cities such as Philadelphia. Gun violence is a huge issue. And there are many African American youth that are involved in gun violence, whether they're perpetrators or victims. Just last week, [rapper Phat Geez] and another young person that was murdered. They identified as Muslim, and it deeply impacted the Muslim community. And so, gun violence and public safety is really important to us. And then, Islam is a growing religion in the prisons. Incarcerated Muslims have unique needs that have to be accommodated. As individuals who are frequently marginalized, we need support around domestic policy issues as well.
SUN: Speaking of domestic issues, I wanted to ask about the Black Muslim Leadership Council, because it addresses many of the issues you're talking about. What were you seeing within the Muslim community that inspired the creation of this group?
SS: The concept of the Black Muslim Leadership Council is about four years old. It started in 2020, because Black Muslims nationally felt like they didn't have a voice. Many times, when the mainstream is discussing Muslim Americans, they're speaking about Arab issues. They're speaking about South Asian issues. But they're not speaking about Black Muslims in urban communities, or Black Muslims at all. And so back in 2020, we started organizing nationally and I was asked to start a 501 © (4), which is a nonprofit organization that's allowed to engage in political activity. At that time, I didn't have the bandwidth. I wasn't necessarily ready for that. But I did continue to do African American engagement with the Muslim community politically and both locally and nationally.
I founded the organization at the end of 2023 because in this election cycle, I saw the same things. You have various Muslim American organizations, but many of us felt that there was a void as it relates to focus on the issues that impact Black Muslims, you know, and so we wanted to establish something that focuses on Muslim issues in general but also has a dedicated focus to domestic policy issues that are impacting Black people and as such impacting Black Muslims, so that we have a domestic policy agenda, as well as a foreign policy agenda.
SUN: Speaking of domestic issues, I wanted to ask about the Black Muslim Leadership Council, because it addresses many of the issues you're talking about. What were you seeing within the Muslim community that inspired the creation of this group?
SS: The concept of the Black Muslim Leadership Council is about four years old. It started in 2020, because Black Muslims nationally felt like they didn't have a voice. Many times, when the mainstream is discussing Muslim Americans, they're speaking about Arab issues. They're speaking about South Asian issues. But they're not speaking about Black Muslims in urban communities, or Black Muslims at all. And so back in 2020, we started organizing nationally and I was asked to start a 501 © (4), which is a nonprofit organization that's allowed to engage in political activity. At that time, I didn't have the bandwidth. I wasn't necessarily ready for that. But I did continue to do African American engagement with the Muslim community politically and both locally and nationally.
I founded the organization at the end of 2023 because in this election cycle, I saw the same things. You have various Muslim American organizations, but many of us felt that there was a void as it relates to focus on the issues that impact Black Muslims, you know, and so we wanted to establish something that focuses on Muslim issues in general but also has a dedicated focus to domestic policy issues that are impacting Black people and as such impacting Black Muslims, so that we have a domestic policy agenda, as well as a foreign policy agenda.
In our domestic policy agenda, we're talking about economic opportunity and healthcare and education and affordable housing, environmental justice, social justice and criminal justice reform, Black maternal health and mental health. We're talking about all these things, and more. And then in our foreign policy agenda, we're talking about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but we're also talking about Sudan and the Congo and Syria and Yemen and Kashmir and the Uighur Muslims in Asia. It's a well-rounded sort of approach and balancing of domestic policy along with foreign policy to strengthen us as a voting bloc, and to not be considered a one-issue community..
SUN: You mentioned the Congo and I think that in a lot of ways, the reason why we don't talk about what's going on there is because of the folks who do my job. This is a conflict that's impacting a nation of Black people, and it predates Israel and Hamas. We have to accept responsibility for that, don't we?
SS: Well, let me just say this. All of the countries that I mentioned are either Muslim majority or have large Muslim populations as well. In fairness, I will say that Palestine is like a sacred Holy Land for Muslims. It's where part of the revelation of the Qur'an took place and that's why Muslims are really impacted and are really emotional about what's happening over there.
SUN: I've seen pictures of you and your family and you seem to have a good work/life balance. That's hard to do when you're doing the various things that you do because of how high profile they are. How have you been able to do that?
SS: It's definitely a juggle and some weeks are better than others. I have founded three nonprofit organizations and two for-profit companies. One of the for-profits, Evolve Solutions, my consulting firm, keeps me the most busy, and I have another for-profit that is just beginning to get active. My other nonprofit is seasonal, the Philadelphia Ramadan and Eid Fund. I kind of work on it throughout the year, but it gets busier during Ramadan. And then there's the Black Muslim Leadership Council, which has two arms, the 501 © (3) arm does engagement and education and © (4) arm where we're doing advocacy.
Suswell with her 26-year-old daughter Laila Abdus-Shakur, who is the senior associate and COO of Suswell's firm Evolve Solutions. The photo was taken at the Black Muslim Leadership Council organization launch and press conference on March 8, 2024
Photo courtesy: Salima Suswell
It's a lot but I'll tell you this. I have good people around me. I have an amazing, supportive husband and I'm really big on organization and compartmentalizing things. So, I have like certain times of the day where I'm definitely working, and certain times of the day of the day where I'm definitely not. I work about, I would say at least 10 to 12 hours a day and definitely about 50 to 60 hours per week. But I also have time to take my daughter to school in the morning. I still cook dinner for my husband at least five nights a week. I still give my daughter a bath and read her books at night. I still do all of the things you know, and it's a lot but I never want to kind of lose sight of why I'm doing all of this.
I have two daughters, I have an adult daughter that is 26 and she is my right hand and my business partner. She's the senior associate of Evolve Solutions and she helps me run it. She's also the administrator for the Black Muslim Leadership Council and is the secretary for the Philadelphia Ramadan and Eid fund. So, she's working on a lot of my projects. We've been working together for the last five years. And it's, like, really a huge part of my ability to get things done. She's so supportive and Laila — my daughter's name is Laila — has been working in politics and has a lot of the relationships I have because she started doing this in the 11th grade. She was doing a summer internship for Councilman [Curtis] Jones and then she worked with Sen. Sharif Street, and at one point she worked with Keir [Bradford] Gray with the Defenders Association. Then she went to college, came back and worked as the Outreach Coordinator for State Representative Morgan Cephas.
So, she, through all of these opportunities has acquired all these political relationships and people just love her because they've watched her grow up, you know, in the political community. So that is a huge asset to all of my work because she can navigate things and get a lot of things done. It's a lot to juggle, and this being a presidential election year it gets really busy, but it gets done.
SUN: Well, thank you so much for your time, Salima. I really appreciate it.
SS: Thank you.
https://philasun.com/local/a-woman-born-to-lead/
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MIM: Videos made by Muslim groups endorsing the then Mayoral Candidate Cherelle Parker.
This is why and how Philadelphia City Hall became City Caliphate.
Muslims for Cherelle Parker Part 1
May 12, 2023
Our Pennsylvania team hosted a Muslims for Parker press conference for Cherelle Parker, our endorsed candidate for Philadelphia mayor, on Thursday May 11th. Check out the footage including speeches from Senator Sharif Street, Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr, Union Leader Ryan Boyer, and Cherelle Parker!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OvT2bkV7OGE
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Muslims for Cherelle Parker Part 2
May 12,2023
Our Pennsylvania team hosted a Muslims for Parker press conference for Cherelle Parker, our endorsed candidate for Philadelphia mayor, on Thursday May 11th. Check out the footage with our Emgage board member Abdul Mughees, Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., Cherelle Parker and Salima Suswell.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8wItkd3aqPQ
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VP Harris endorsed by Black Muslim Organization
The Black Muslim Leadership Council has endorsed Vice President Harris, an endorsement President Biden failed to receive. NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor sits down with Salima Suswell, the founder and chief, on the decision to support Harris.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9C785Yhess0
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