Today we’d like to introduce you to Saladin Allah.
Hi Saladin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story always begins with my family. I am one of seven children, born to a Social Psychologist mother and Tradesman father who collected African artifacts. They were affiliated with the Black Panther Party and instilled in us a sense of cultural competence, social awareness, and pride in our identity. I grew up knowing about the classical civilizations of black folks and our sojourn here in North America as indigenous and enslaved people. I also learned that we were descendants of Josiah Henson; a forerunner of the Underground Railroad whom Harriet Beecher Stowe used as the central figure in her famous 19th Century novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I attended Central State University, a HBCU, and it was there that I met my Enlightener who exposed me to knowledge of self and I became a member of the Five Percent Nation. These were some of my family dynamics and experiences that played a vital role in shaping my consciousness and setting me on my trajectory of life. Where I am today as a father, educator, author, public speaker and etc. is really a composite of those who came before me. I would not be here without their love, support, sacrifices, and commitment to uplifting our people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a Black man, one of my biggest challenges has been navigating this American society that is historically rooted in racism while maintaining my mental health, cultural identity and sense of esteem. The great thing about having an ancestor such as Josiah Henson, both of my parents and other family members and friends is they have taught me not only ways to navigate this society but healthy coping mechanisms to deal with oppression and trauma. As an educator and author I strive to be the same support for others, especially the youth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the third-great grandson of famed underground railroad Freedom Seeker Josiah Henson whom Harriet Beecher Stowe used as the primary narrative for her famous 19th Century novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I am a father of three amazing daughters, a Region 6 Representative of the Five Percenters in WNY/Southern Ontario, and founder of the Atlantis School For Gifted Youngsters, Atlantis Build Talk Radio, and Quanaah Publishing. During my ten years as a freelance writer/radio personality and twenty-two years as a youth advocate, I have been published in print and online in a wide range of publications and websites worldwide and created various youth programs, projects, and initiatives. A griot and expert on the occult, hermeticism, mysticism, and secret societies, I have published over four hundred articles highlighting my research/social commentary and authored twenty-one books; five which are a part of a Curatorial Activism archive initiative at the British Library. Additionally, I have worked as a program consultant for the History Channel series ‘Gangland’ and have been globally cited as a Subject Matter Expert on hip hop business mogul Jay-Z.
In 2017 I was nominated for the 21st Century Scholarship award at the 2nd Annual BP Awards in Atlanta, GA. In 2018 a permanent life-sized display and A/V narrative of me speaking about my family’s underground railroad heritage was included in the Freedom Gallery at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. In 2018 as a part of the Atlantis School For Gifted Youngsters, I created seven online Youth Outreach Development courses, a Boys As Allies Rights of Passage Program, and a family-friendly Animation Series. I am a featured Expert in the IMAX Film ‘Into America’s Wild’ Narrated by Morgan Freeman and Hosted by Ariel Tweto and John Herrington and a featured Expert in the award-winning docuseries ‘Enslaved’ that is Executive Produced and Hosted by Samuel L. Jackson and Directed by three-time Emmy award-winning journalist Simcha Jacobovici. I am the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Achievement Award Recipient, a Commissioner for the Human Rights Commission in the City of Niagara Falls New York, President of HAMILTON & EADES GENETIC RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT, LLC, an Elementary School Educator, Visitor Experience Specialist/Community Liaison at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, NF Murals Project Coordinator and an International Public Speaker.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Start somewhere, anywhere! If we never take the first step, it is impossible to get to any destination. Some of the best advice that I received and learned from experience is, “The only thing that happens overnight is the night.” Being successful in any undertaking requires patience. Patience with ourselves and patience with others. Create a plan and then invest the time, finances, resources, and support network that is vital to its success. One of the things that I wish I knew when I were starting out is, “Everyone will not see or share your vision.” It may take some time for people to see and share our vision, if they ever do. Because of this, we may not get the support that we expect from others, especially family and friends. Don’t be discouraged, be thankful for those who do see and share your vision.
Contact Info:
- Email: atlantisbuild@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlantisbuild
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtlantisBuild/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/atlantisbuild
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SaladinAllah
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/niagara-falls-underground-railroad-heritage-center-niagara-falls
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/atlantisbuild
- Other: https://atlantisschool.blogspot.com
