The Sapelo Squad

Su’ad Abdul Khabeer, Sapelo’s Founder and Senior Editor, is a scholar-artist-activist, author of the groundbreaking book, Muslim Cool, and was named as one of 25 influential American Muslims by CNN, but is best known for reppin’ Brooklyn HARD.

Aisha Caruth, Sapelo’s Operations Managing Editor, is a publications manager specializing in supporting donor-funded international development projects. She is a behind-the-scenes pragmatic agitator.

Kamilah A. Pickett, JD, MPH, Sapelo’s Politics Editor, is a critically acclaimed artist, racial equity trainer and public health advocate who specializes in non-profit organizational development and giving advice that makes her mother proud.

Rashida James-Saadiya, Sapelo’s Arts & Culture Editor, is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and cultural educator exploring Black Muslimness through storytelling and cultural memory in West Africa and the American South.

Narjis has been shaping a narrative around Indigenous Shi’a Muslims in the United States, using her unique perspective to shape young Muslim minds as an English teacher, and is responsible for making sure that every child she touches knows about the rich and diverse history of Black Muslims.

Bryon (Bilal) Maxey, History Editor, is an educator, emerging scholar, and lifelong student of history. Through text-based historical research and oral accounts of living traditions, Bryon interprets and seeks to facilitate greater awareness of the centuries-old Black Muslim, intellectual, cultural and educational heritage bridging Africa and the Americas. As a professional, Bryon has accumulated experience as a multifaith community organizer, secondary educator, and post-secondary educator/administrator at the University of Michigan, where he manages a team facilitating open online learning experiences for thousands of global learners.

Mahassin Muhsin, Sapelo’s Religion Editor, is a globetrotter, a polyglot, and an aspiring librarian. She is a long time student of the sacred sciences who has multiple ideas for world domination, but no time to implement them.

Malikah A. Shabazz, Sapelo’s Video Producer, is a Detroit-based content creator and producer who has worked on multiple national television programs, various indie films and is currently in pre-production for her upcoming short film, Amethyst. lm.

Nisa Muhammad, Sapelo’s Internship Coordinator, is a highly acclaimed university Muslim chaplain that specializes in sharing the joys and challenges of being Black and Muslim on college campuses.

Aïdah Aliyah Rasheed, Sapelo’s Special Projects Lead, recognizes the power of art and culture as a means of cultivating communal awareness and connectivity. She is a lover of light and all things beautiful.

Latasha Rouseau, Administrative Coordinator, is a writer and youth advocate, specializing in areas of criminal justice. Striving to empower and support the most vulnerable groups in our communities, she has been involved in assisting youth and their families within the juvenile justice system for over a decade.

Summiyah Austin Siddeeq, Web Manager, is a St. Louis native and an Atlanta based technology professional. Using technology and innovation to inspire youth is her primary passion. This passion has taken her across the African diaspora to conferences and working with young adult mentees in Rwanda, Haiti, and Jamaica.