WISE Up: Knowledge Ends Extremism. A full-day Summit on Thursday, October 26, 2017 9:00am-10:15am at the Carnegie Institution for Science, 1530 P Street NW., Washington DC

Supporting National Security, Interfaith alliances, Bi-Partisan efforts, and countering bigotry you are key to its ongoing success. WISE Up is a multi-faceted campaign aimed at promoting the authentic Muslim narrative of peace, compassion, diversity and civic engagement in America. At its core, WISE Up uses knowledge as the most powerful tool against all forms of extremism & hate and centers around a 400-page research and evidence-based report authored by 60 noted scholars, faith leaders, and public servants. In this resource, both Muslim and non-Muslim experts have provided their expertise on practical ways to counter extremism, hate, bigotry, and terrorism committed in the name of Islam by groups like ISIS.

The Summit will begin with a Press Conference. Our purpose is to call special attention to this non-partisan, community-led collaboration between scholars, community leaders and activists from diverse ideologies and national origins, who have come together to transform American Muslim life, strengthen our national unity, and amplify our voice.

The Summit sessions will include round table discussions among the contributors of the WISE Up Report which will be moderated by a media personality and structured around three modules of WISE Up report as listed below. The sessions will be live streamed via web.

1. Voices of American Muslims – provides a snapshot of American Muslim life by highlighting American Muslims’ engagement in public life, which aligns with the foundational American ethos; the challenges they confront as American citizens; and creative ways that they deal with these challenges. It also highlights 30 notable Muslims who enrich America.

2. Islamic Theology vs. Extremist Ideology – showcases the history of Islam, its core values, practices and beliefs, and provides a clear comparison between true Islamic teachings with ISIS’s false dogma. It debunks eight core Islamic concepts which ISIS and distort and utilize as propaganda to mislead vulnerable individuals.

3. Preventing Extremist Recruitment – details extremists’ 16 steps of recruitment on social media. It identifies push and pull factors that motivate men and women to join; provides preventative tools that focus on strengthening individuals and families, a parents’ and counselors’ guide, bystander intervention, bullying and countering hate speech; It highlights inspiring stories of 40 Muslim heroes and lists Muslim/interfaith initiatives promoting interfaith and cross-cultural understanding.

The LLSP is specifically designed to provide training that addresses the unique challenges facing Muslim women today, while, at the same time, emphasizing individual’s talents and opportunities available to participants. It is a unique program diverse in ideas and cultures, but unified in its commitment to developing Muslim women’s understanding of Islamic Law, Leadership, and Conflict Resolution.

By Shahid Abdul-Karim

Washington D.C. – The Prosperity Foundation (TPF) founder Howard K. Hill will lead a discussion on the role of black philanthropy during the NASIM Conference next month in Capital Heights, Maryland.

The conference will take place April 8 -10, at the Hampton Conference Center, 207 West Hampton Place, Capital Heights, Maryland. Register for the conference at www.nationsmosque.org.

TPF is the Connecticut’s first black organized philanthropic foundation which focuses on critical areas such as health, economic development and education.  

“We are excited to have The Prosperity Foundation join us. The conference is focused on our business interest and one of the things that concern us is economic development,” said Nation’s Mosque leader Imam Talib Shareef. 

Shareef said he learned about the foundation through its grant-giving initiative earlier this month.

“We see them as being the leading black foundation in terms of its efforts,” Shareef said. 

The foundation’s presentation, according to Shareef, “will be informational and a motivating piece for our community,” he said.

In 2010, a partnership was established by Hill and an advisory committee with the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven to create the Urban Prosperity Fund, to promote philanthropy, prosperity and self-empowerment in the black community. TPF became an outgrowth from that fund and was established last year, according to the organization’s website www.tpfct.org.

“This is an exciting opportunity to be able to link up with the Nation’s Mosque and the Muslim business community, particularly around economic development,” said Hill, 47, of Howard K. Hill Funeral Services who has locations throughout the state of Connecticut.  

“Our philanthropy has a mission – to promote economic development in communities that are typically over looked,” he said.  “Our foundation is about making permanent change and we feel we’ll be successful where we’re with people who have an interest in making change such as the community like The Nation’s Mosque.”

Shareef said the foundation’s mission fits right in line with the do for self-concept.  He said it’s rare to see a black organization helping other African-Americans.   

Earlier this month TPF fulfilled part of its philanthropic commitment, contributing over $20,000 in grants to 11 various organizations in the state during an educational event on the role of philanthropy at the Marriott Downtown in Hartford, Connecticut.

“The idea of an endowment or source of income in perpetuity sounded very appealing to me, said Hill, who is in his second term as president of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association.  

“As I sat on the board of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, I saw how the impact of philanthropy would be able to help the black community sustain itself,” he said.

Hill sat of the board for seven years.

The event marked the foundation’s inaugural Small Grant Initiative’s effort to help create long-term sustainability for organizations and educate blacks on the role of philanthropy.

Other scheduled presenters for the conference include, a representative from the World Trade Center, WeBuyBlack.com owner Shareef Abdul-Malik, Wallace Mohammad II among others.

In addition to building the foundation’s coffers, Hill said TPF will target resources in a manner that will create wealth and generate more opportunities to benefit black people.

To start an endowment with the foundation one may gift $5,000 or build up to the $5,000 over a period of time. If individuals choose not to start an endowment, the foundation accepts contributions at all levels.

Other TPF board members include, Yves Joseph, Larry Conaway, Nancy Hill, Carolyn Vermont, Rolan Joni Young Smith and the Rev. Dr. Eric B. Smith.  

For more information, visit www.tpfct.org or email info@tpfct.org.