MANA’s Track: A Sacred Space for Black Muslim Empowerment
As-salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah dear family!
The spirit of community is stirring-and you are invited to join us this year at MASCON 2025!
MANA is honored to return to MASCON in Chicago for the second year to present a powerful track dedicated to uplifting the hearts, healing the wounds, and strengthening the bonds within the African-American Muslim community. Whether you’re a youth mentor, a mother, a marriage-seeker, or a community builder, this track is for you. It’s not just a series of sessions—it’s a spiritual gathering for growth, connection, and action.
Why MANA’s Track Matters:
For decades, MANA has been a leading voice for justice, dignity, and development within our communities. In a time where Black Muslim narratives are often left at the margins, this is our space—to speak, to heal, and to build.
Each session is intentionally designed to address the realities and responsibilities we face as Black Muslims in America—with wisdom, solutions, and love.
MANA @ MASCON 2025 – Session Highlights
Opening Keynote: A Legacy of Patient Perseverance
With the beloved Imam Siraj Wahhaj, we’ll be reminded of our mission, our sacred history, and our call to stay committed through hardship—with sabr and vision.
Entertainment by Joshua Salaam adds joy to our spiritual welcome.
Session 1: Seeds of Change – Cultivating Stronger Communities
With Ieasha Prime and Dr. Ihsan Bagby, we’ll explore what makes our communities resilient, how MANA’s ITSFAAM model is transforming families, and how you can be part of the movement.
A must-attend for community leaders, educators, and organizers.
Session 2: Black Muslim Youth – Realities, Risks & Roadmaps
How do we support our youth through today’s challenges—social, spiritual, and systemic? Imam Tariq El-Amin and Rukayat Yakub will offer proven models and a vision for nurturing confident, rooted Black Muslim youth.
Session 3: Intentional Love – Strengthening Black Muslim Marriages from the Start
Marriage begins with niyyah (intentionality). Imam Faheem Shuaibe and Stephanie Bonner, MSW will explore healthy courtship, common marital challenges, and introduce MANA’s new partnership with Matchwell, a faith-based platform for meaningful connections.
Session 4: Spiritual Rejuvenation & Healing – Restoring the Heart of the Community
Sr. Angelica Lindsey-Ali and Shaykh Adeyinka Mendes guide us in healing historical wounds, restoring trust, and embracing the faith-based spiritual practices that keep our hearts and our communities whole.
This closing session is a balm for the soul.
Why This Track Is Different
These aren’t just panels. These are sacred conversations rooted in our lived experience and aligned with our faith. You’ll leave not only with knowledge—but with community, tools, and renewed hope.
“Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”
— Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11)
You Are Needed. You Are Welcomed. You Are the Answer.
In every challenge our community faces, there is also divine opportunity. Come be part of the movement to uplift our families, strengthen our hearts, and build a legacy rooted in tawakkul, unity, and prophetic action.
Register for MANA@MASCON 2025 today!
Registration is a 2-step process.
Step 1 is to register at our Eventbrite page to get your MANA code. Step 2 is to use that code to get register for the convention on the MASCON convention website to get your complimentary registration.
Come home to MANA’s track—where Black Muslim healing and empowerment are cultivated. 🖤
Akanke is a native of Atlanta who now resides in Dayton, Ohio. She reverted to Islam in 1994 and is passionate about Islam and Islamic spirituality. Akanke is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she earned a degree in Communication, with a focus on film, TV, and cultural anthropology. Her career is diverse, and her interests span various creative forms of expression. From producing TV and radio shows to creating documentaries, writing, graphic design, and life coaching, she strives to make a lasting and authentic impact wherever she goes. Akanke has been a dedicated supporter of MANA since 2007, currently serving as the organization’s Board Vice President. In this role, she plays a key part in working with the Board President and Secretary to shape the organization’s trajectory. Additionally, she serves as MANA’s part-time Communications Director.
