Rising Stars: Meet Ummi’s Ummah of Durham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ummi’s Ummah

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I lived Columbus, Ga , I met a family called the Bilals and their mother’s name was Yaseem Aka Ummi! She was what you called a “neighborhood mom”. She always had advise whether you wanted to hear it or not, a hot plate of food, and warm shelter over your head. She reminded me of something that I felt was missing from our neighborhoods….Mothers! Women that lead the community by building a circle of women that looked out for everyone and everyone’s child was everyone’s child!! This is something that I loving call a “Village” As women of color we have seemed to have strayed from building a sisterhood that loves and support each other while raising a productive and thriving community. With that being said I decided that in order to start the healing our communities it would have to begin with the people that birth the lives that live in it. We as Ummi’s Ummah strive to ENGAGE, EDUCATE, MOBLIZE our communities by becoming a natural resource to them. We strongly support community unity and family togetherness and will do our part to bring to light and strength to our communities, ” ONE MOTHER AT A TIME” UMMI’S GOT YOU!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road for us. Most of the money for us to to do what we do comes from my pocket and from help of the members of Ummi’s. We do get donations but not nearly enough for what it takes for us to run. We are still new and upcoming so we are patient and I understand that everyday will be a learning situation and one day we will have the grants and funds to where it doesn’t have to come out of pocket. I love what we do and I think that these early stages are just beginning for Ummi’s Ummah.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have always worked in the service industry and loving on people is something has always been who I am. I have worked in retail and in the hospitality industry since I was 15 years old! I love children and I love my community and have always felt that ALLAH placed me here to be a service to his people. I love making people happy and what better way to do that than through community service and food!! Ummi’s is my gift to people of color. Ummi’s Ummah wants people of color to be proud of who they are and that we are a village and without that concept of “A village raises a family” our community will be lost. We have to want better for ourselves. I feel that it has to start with the ones that birth these communities. Where do we learn love, compassion, and support… Mothers! We lay the foundation.., we are the foundation.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I kinda pull from everywhere and everything around me. ALLAH has a funny way of sending you lessons and messages in the most unlikely ways. I just learned to be more observant about my surroundings. I think life and people are my best teachers. I read my Quran and I love to listen to anything that is pulling me to be my best self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ummisummah.org