preMiracle in America™ is a cultural legacy project highlighting the experiences of African-American Muslims and their journeys to Islam. A legacy project includes our past knowledge, present actions, and future aspirations. As such, the purpose of Miracle in America™ is to preserve the legacies of African-American Muslims by documenting our compelling narratives regarding our journey to Islam and the influence the decision to accept Islam has had on our lives. These narratives will be firsthand accounts given by African-American Muslims. We invite black Muslims to recall their compelling experiences that led to spiritual transformation and share them today, thus contributing to the rich and unwavering story and legacy of Islam in the Western world. Miracle in America™ is designed to produce a documentary series, publish a coffee table book of origin stories, collect oral histories, and coordinate community events featuring screenings of short documentaries, panel discussions, media workshops, and interviews aimed at motivating African-American Muslims to share, celebrate, and document their unique histories and stories.
Ultimately, we hope that many will find inspiration for generations to come by learning how Islam and the guidance found in the Qur’an transformed the lives of millions of Americans, resulting in remarkable personal growth and community progress. Through the Miracle in America™ initiative, we also aim to demonstrate the beauty and blessing of Islam and correct any misconceptions surrounding it. The rich history of African-American Muslims is vital to the narrative of American history and deserves to be told.
What is the Mission of Miracle in America™?
The mission of Miracle in America™ is to empower and inspire African-American Muslims to create a rich and meaningful legacy by archiving their stories that are self-defined, self-determined, and uplifting, showcasing their spiritual growth and transformation that resulted from embracing Islam. Miracle in America™ allows African-American Muslims to narrate their individual experiences in their own words, honoring the pivotal contributions of Muslims and Islam to American history and culture.
What is Oral History?
Oral history involves the organized collection of personal testimonies from individuals about their experiences. Everyone has stories to share about their own lives—stories lived from a personal perspective. We instinctively organize our life experiences into narratives, and oral history serves as a method to gather these tales. Historians acknowledge the significance of everyday memories from ordinary people, as they hold historical value. If we do not collect and conserve our memories—our stories—they may vanish and fade into obscurity. By collecting oral history, we preserve something significant from the ebbing tide of the past. Participating in oral history offers a sense of accomplishment. Methods for gathering oral histories can range from handwritten notes to audio and video recordings.
Who are the Producers and Organizers of Miracle in America™?
The Miracle in America™ project was created in the early 2000s by Akanke Rasheed and supported by her then-husband, Nashid Abdul-Khaaliq. Akanke was inspired to capture the stories of African-American Muslims after speaking with elders in the community of The Atlanta Masjid in Atlanta Georgia. This happened during the convergence of two significant events in her life—her career as a television producer and her conversion to Islam during the early 90s in Atlanta, Georgia. Nashid passed away in February 2018, and Akanke aims to move forward with a dedicated group of supporters to fulfill the vision they both had.
Akanke holds a degree in Film and Television from Georgia State University, where she also studied Cultural Anthropology. She embraced Islam in 1992 after being profoundly moved by the clarity and answers she found in the Qur’an. She took her shahadah (declaration of faith) at the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, a dynamic historic community of black Muslims. She values Muslim sisterhood/brotherhood, unified by belief in the Oneness of God and the teachings of the Qur’an and sunnah.
Since 1990, Akanke has worked as an independent television producer committed to community-based programming. From 1991 to 1996, she produced the well-received live talk shows, The Africentric Agenda and Creating Empowerment, which were broadcast on local cable networks in Atlanta. Additionally, she has hosted several television programs, such as Conversations, Inner Views, and Faith and Good Works. Akanke has also been featured in short films, corporate videos, and has lent her voiceover talent to various television and radio projects.
The Importance of Storytelling
Storytelling serves as a powerful medium through which experiences can be shared. The Miracle in America™ initiative encourages African-American Muslims to narrate their rich and meaningful stories, acknowledging the impact this can have on both their own lives and the lives of others. The Miracle in America™ initiative aims to actively engage the community, inshaAllah, in telling our stories. We look forward to connecting and collaborating with Muslims across the nation to empower them in capturing their rich stories, leaving a legacy of storytelling that will endure through generations.
