Our Methodology
How We Work to Strengthen Our Community
1. Ask for Community Input
MANA collects information on a national level through two sources— research institutions like ISPU, FYI, etc,and through qualitative methods from MANA listening sessions across America
2. Promote Findings / Develop Solutions
After collecting the data, MANA will inform the community what the top challenges are for African-American communities according to the data.
3. Network to Implement and Solve
With MANA's networking platform the community will be mobilized and empowered to connect challenges with resources.
4. Assess / Adjust
The annual conference is a means to motivate and inspire the community and to assess the status of local and nation wide efforts. Adjustments will be made, if needed, to remain focused solutions and goals.
5. Announce Results
Any victories (small or large) will be announced to keep a sense of movement, purpose, and transparency.
"ITSFAAM": Our Current Project for 2023-2025
In October 2023, MANA launched the Initiative to Strengthen Families of African-American Muslims (ITSFAAM) — a two-year initiative focused on strengthening African-American Muslim families in three strategic areas: youth engagement, young adult leadership, and healthy marriages. This decision was based on outcomes from the survey results and a town hall meeting to establish and prioritize the community’s needs. The first ITSFAAM meeting was held on October 29th.
The Genesis of ITSFAAM
Step 1: Ask for Community Input (Completed)
In late 2022, MANA led a historic collaboration with five African-American Muslim organizations to assess community needs. Dr. Ihsan Bagby, a founding MANA Board Member, proposed the project, which successfully engaged partners that included The Muslim Journal, The Muslim Wellness Foundation, The Conveners of Imams, and the Al-Ummah Organization. Representatives from each organization met over several months to discuss community needs, developed and distributed a national survey, and held two convenings for community leaders to provide input. A report was generated, summarizing the results from the national survey and feedback from the convenings.
Step 2: Promoted Findings/ Develop Solutions (Completed)
In June 2023, MANA hosted an online national town hall meeting to discuss the findings from step 1. A dynamic group of panelists provided additional input. In addition, feedback from town hall attendees was solicited to hone in on what has been working and what could be better in the African American Muslim Community. The town hall was well-attended and engaging and contributed to MANA's decision to create ITSFAAM as our two-year focus on strengthening the families of African-American Muslims.
Step 3: Networking to Implement and Solve (Current Phase)
With research now in hand, MANA is currently in the third phase of developing solutions to enhance youth engagement, young adult leadership, and healthy marriages under the ITSFAAM initiative. Community members volunteered to participate in each of these areas, forming three cohorts. Meetings since October 2023 have identified solutions, now being structured for full development and implementation. This phase will continue until at least the end of 2024.
