HAPI Presents: A Day of Black Excellence

HAPI: BLACK EXCELLENCE will be hosted and moderated by the renowned Dr. Kenneth L. Harris, who serves as the 16th President/CEO of the National Business League, Inc., founded by Dr. Booker T. Washington in 1900, a 122-year-old organization with access to 3.2 million black-owned businesses in the U.S.

HAPI: BLACK EXCELLENCE will, amongst many things, feature “special extended clips” of the groundbreaking documentary films: The award winning “HAPI – The Role of Economics in the Development of Civilization” (Director: Taaqiy Grant} and the newly released “Out of Darkness: Heavy is the Crown Vol. 1” (Director: Amadeuz Christ).

This experience will feature lectures, panel discussions and presentations by some of the brightest minds in the fields of: Education, Spirituality, Culture and Economics. During HAPI: BLACK EXCELLENCE, we have included a tutorial on financial wellness. The importance of understanding ways to become economically empowered is essential. Financial wellness is a pathway to empowerment in the Black community. One of the main directives in the HAPI Movement is “through Economic literacy we can achieve Economic Empowerment.”

Attendees will receive insightful and uplifting presentations from the following elite scholars:

• Professor Mfundishi Jhutyms

• Professor Kaba Hiawatha Kamene

• Professor James Small

The event will conclude with a lecture from the well-known, Rizza Islam.

To help curate this experience we’ve also added live entertainment to the already star-studded lineup. The popular and legendary group, Brand Nubian will be performing some of their greatest hits. Rap Artist, Jaamar Milton, will also be performing.

Contact Taaqiy Grant at [email protected] Check out HAPIfilm.com for documentaries, merchandise and more!!

Contact Amadeuz Christ at [email protected]. Check out his films and at Out of Darkness Film for documentaries, merchandise and more!!

Dr. Kenneth L. Harris is known for his innovative style and visionary approach to addressing societal and economic challenges within Black, indigenousness and underserved communities. Dr. Harris has always been passionate about helping the global Black community realize their dreams through entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. Harris's purpose in life has been to advance minority-owned businesses throughout the state, both regionally and nationally. Dr. Harris has become one of the most influential leaders in the country, with a track record of helping entrepreneurs and organizations succeed in commerce-driven activity.

Born and raised in Detroit, Dr. Harris started the International Detroit Black Expo, Inc. (IDBE) on May 24, 2005, which hosted more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the globe and reached 300,000 consumers, becoming one of the largest expositions in the entire country in 5 years. On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, Dr. Harris was elected to the Detroit Charter Commission by 40,149 votes in a highly contested citywide race featuring 54 candidates. The Honorable Commissioner Harris's political and economic experience helped to craft and eventually pass a new city charter in November 2012 by an overwhelming 64% of the votes cast, which has only been revised 3 times since 1918, forging a new direction for the city of Detroit.

As a former NCAA Academic All-American point guard in basketball for Clark Atlanta University in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), Harris has made tremendous strides and professional accomplishments. Dr. Harris became the first African-American chief of staff and executive assistant to the mayor of Southfield and the first African-American director of Greek affairs at Wayne State University. Additionally, he served a counseling psychologist for St. John Community Health and served as executive vice president of business development for the Michigan Minority Supplier Diversity Council, Inc. Dr. Harris served as the president and CEO of the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, which became the largest Black chamber of commerce in the country with 32,600 members. Dr. Harris now serves as the president and CEO of the National Business League, Inc., with access to 3.2 million Black-owned businesses across the United States with 365 local leagues across the country. The National Business League (NBL) was founded by legendary Booker T. Washington in 1900.

The National Business League is the first and largest, independent, not-for-profit, trade association for Black-owned businesses and professionals in the United States, founded by Dr. Booker T. Washington on Aug. 23, 1900. The NBL serves as a global catalyst toward the economic development, empowerment and liberative freedom of Black businesses as a central component to building strong leaders, families, and communities as well as sustainable enterprises. The NBL promotes the interest of more than 3.2 million Black American businesses that contribute $128 billion in economic output and produce 1.18 million jobs to the U.S. economy. The NBL has regional offices in Atlanta, Detroit, and Los Angeles, national headquarters in Washington, D.C., since 1966 and an international office in Cape Town, South Africa. Approaching 125 years of service, the NBL is a proud partner to more than 125 Fortune 500 companies, including public and private sector organizations worldwide, looking to provide Black economic equity and inclusion in the racially diverse global marketplace.

Dr. Harris received the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) 2007 Minority Business Advocate of the Year award, Crain's Detroit Business's 40 Under 40 Class of 2007 and the Who's Who in Black Detroit's Most Influential. Dr. Harris was honored by the Michigan Women's Marketplace and CEED as the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year and received the 2008 Excellence Award for Economic Empowerment by 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc. Dr. Harris also accepted the 2009 CBS-WWJ 950 Emerging Leader Under 40 Award for Black History Month, and the 2010 Michigan Front Page's 30 in Their 30s award. Dr. Harris was chosen DBusiness Magazine's 30 in Their 30s Most Influential and featured in Ebony Magazine in 2011. Dr. Harris was featured in the 2012 Aetna African American Black History Calendar America's Most Influential and received the 2012 Men of Excellence Award from the Michigan Chronicle Newspaper. Additionally, he has been named by the 2013 New York-based Counselors International as one of the "40 Under 40" top economic development professionals in the United States. Dr. Harris was featured in the 2014 CBS TV 62 and WWJ 950 Black History Month Distinguished Leader Showcase. Dr. Harris received the 2015 Comerica Bank Community Partnership Award, 2017 National Veterans Supplier Diversity Council Leadership Award and 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 DBusiness Magazines Most Influential Business Executives in Metro-Detroit. Dr. Kenneth L. Harris is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the 33rd Degree United Supreme Council of Scottish Rite Prince Hall Freemasonry, amongst many other national activities.

Dr. Kenneth L. Harris graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Clark Atlanta University (HBCU) in Atlanta, Georgia. He also received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Detroit's Lewis College of Business in 2008 and an Educational Specialist Degree, Ed.S. from Wayne State University in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Dr. Harris earned a dual Ph.D. at Michigan State University in African American and African Studies, Business and Economics from the MSU Eli Broad School of Business.

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A dynamic leader noted for his passion in addressing issues of concern to the community, Bro. Rizza has devoted his life to educating, uplifting and motivating through viable solutions to those across this country and throughout the world.

Rizza is the youngest of 10 children born and raised in Compton, California and began his career at the early age of 9, training to be a young educator. At 13 Bro. Rizza was running his own classroom training and overseeing the education of youth and adults in Literacy skills, Morals, Ethics, Communication skills/anger management, substance Abuse Education and a host of other services designed to assist his students to make better choices in their lives.

Bro. Rizza Islam is a researcher, author, international speaker and social activist, serving as Founder of the Intellectual Xtremist. To date, as a result of his vast work within inner cities Rizza has received numerous awards from multiple officials including the mayor of Compton, city council of Los Angeles and even Congresswoman Karen Bass of California just to name a few! The city council of South Fulton County, GA has even given Rizza his own holiday called: "Rizza Islam appreciation day" which is celebrated every May 17th! Organizations like the YMCA, Youth for human rights international, Millenium momentum, Drug free world and many others have awarded Rizza for his works throughout the years as well.

Rizza Islam has dedicated his life to the fight for freedom, justice and equality for all members of the human family starting with the Black man & woman of America.

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Professor James Small is a scholar activist, dynamic speaker, organizational consultant. He is also CEO of Sanaa Lodge Enterprise, Ghana, Ltd., CEO & President, African-American Management Company, Ghana, Ltd.; International Vice President, Organization of Afro-American Unity (O.A.A.U.), Priest of Oya, Babalorisha, Ifa Tradition, and past President of the Eastern Region of the Association for the study of Classical African Civilization (ASCAC).

Prof. James Small has been an activist since his teenage years. His in-depth knowledge, thought-provoking and calm delivery are influential elements to break the programming of mis-education. He studies extensively with Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Yosef A. A. ben Jochannan, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. Wade Nobles, Dr. Amos Wilson and Dr. Francis Cress Welsing, just to name a few.

For eleven years Prof. Small served as principal bodyguard to the late Ella L. Collins, the sister of Malcolm X, the then President of the Organization of Afro-American Unity (O.A.A.U.) and was the Imam of Muslim Mosque Inc. (founded by Malcolm X). Between the years of 1966 and 1980, Prof. Small held membership in the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (S.N.C.C.), the N.A.A.C.P, and O.A.A.U. During this period Prof. Small had the opportunity to interact with such historical giants as Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Kwame Ture, H. Rap Brown of S.N.C.C, Eldridge Cleaver, Zaid Shakur, and Lumumba Shakur of the Black Panther Party (B.P.P.) in which he served as a liaison between the B.P.P. and the O.A.A.U. Much of his expertise is found in African-American history and culture, Malcolm X, African traditional religions and the love for his people.

Prof. Small taught for fifteen years at the City University of New York, including thirteen years at the City College of New York's Black Studies Department where he taught courses on Pan-Africanism, Malcolm X, and on comparative African religions, which included several African spiritual systems, titled, African Religion and Survival; and two years at New York City Technical College teaching the course, African Folklore & Religion, both in the Diaspora and in Africa.

Prof. James Small has traveled extensively lecturing at churches, conventions, seminars, workshops, colleges, and universities, throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. His informative, eye-opening and dynamic presentations have caused him to be recognized as one of the most distinguished activist scholar of our time.

Prof . James Small Degrees..

1- Bachelor of Arts degree from The City College of The City University of New York.

2- Doctorate of Divinity from Amin Ra Theological Seminary Las Angeles California.

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Mfundishi Jhutyms the Great Grand Master Kemetic Priest Scientist & Afrakan Village Chief, is a highly sought after consultant in areas of holistic wellness, Afrakan heritage and languages, education, international cultural immersion programs, and entrepreneurship. As a world-class Afrakologist Educator, author and lecturer, he speaks in the Americas, the Caribbean, Afraka and Europe. He is the Founder & President of Jhuty Heru Neb Hu Kush Kemet, an unincorporated educational and cultural organization within their family-owned business called Black Gold Sacred Kultural Healing Center. This Spiritual Warrior is an Ourstorian for the Development, Maintenance, Liberation and Independence of Afrakan People.

KERA JHUTY HERU NEB HU - The shrine of articulate thought, speech, and action; Higher Konsciousness, and the Mastery of the Senses.

​Kera Jhuty Heru Neb Hu was developed by Mfundishi Jhutyms En Ka Heru Hassan Salim, in Ka-Her-Ka diu, 6218 S.T. (July 4th, 1978 C.E.); following a pan-Afrakan model of the Tuskegee machine, controlling everything that our people need: from business, to land, to spirituality, with ancient Kemet legacy as the ultimate model.

Kera Jhuty Heru Neb Hu is a Kemety Spiritual House established in the Amenta (West). It consists of Kommitted sisters and brothers who are dedicated to the re-establishment of Kemet and the Kemety Legacy on the Mental, Physical and Spiritual planes through the resurrection of ancient rituals and ceremonies.

​The Abu (Priestship) of Kera Jhuty Heru Neb-Hu is focused on our Afrakan Heritage and Spiritual System and manifesting these principles on a daily basis. Kera Jhuty Heru Neb-Hu is Kommitted to nation building and raising the collective Konsciousness amongst Afrakan people guided by the 42 Oracles of Maát.

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Kaba Hiawatha Kamene was born in New York Hospital, on Monday, November 16, 1953. Since 2011, Kaba Hiawatha has starred in several critically acclaimed,documentaries such as Tariq Nasheed’s, Hidden Colors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 1804: The Hidden History of the Haitian Revolution. Additionally, he is the featured narrator in the hit documentary, “Out of Darkness” and “Heavy is the Crown” by Amadeuz Christ as well as starring in “Elementary Genocide”, “Black Friday 1 and 2” and Dame Dash’s, “The Secret to Ballin” with Snoop Dogg, Ice T, Wu-Tang Clan, Faith Evans, Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith and other entertainment and community icons.

Kaba Hiawatha’s voice, speeches, writings and narrations have been performed in independent prod- uctions, NeruvianDoom by Nehru and Doom, titled, “Om”, He is also the featured writer and performer on Wu Tang Clan’s EP, “The Saga Continues” track titled, “Message.” He collaborated with Kaashe Muzik on his own two EP’s titled, “From Kaos to Order” and “Mi aMoor”

Kaba Hiawatha received his Bachelors’ Degree in International Politics from New York University, with a minor in Caribbean Studies (June77). He earned his first (1st) Masters of Art in World History from Hunter College, N.Y. (June 87) and he received his second (2nd) Masters of Science in Educational Administration and Supervision, from City College of New York (Feb.88).

Kaba Hiawatha has been a Pan African, African- Centered educator, consultant, administrator, staff developer and curriculum writer for over 40 years. He has taught every grade level (Pre-K-12) in the New York City Department of Education for over 31 years (Oct 1979-Jul 2009) and has been a college professor

in the Black Studies department at the State University of New York at New Paltz for 12 years (Fall 2004-Spring 2016).

Over Kaba Hiawatha’s long career in Education, he has consulted many Boards of Education, Schools, Communities, Parents and Student groups. His greatest experiences have been his many classroom visitations around the world and implementing successful strategies in the teaching/ learning process. He is firmly dedicated to the belief that culture plays a vitally important role in education and he

credits many of his academic views to his teacher, world- renowned educator, Professor John Henrik Clarke.

Kaba Hiawatha is the creator, Principal Facilitator and Chief Executive Officer of the African-Centered Science Academy, “Per Ankh (Temple/House of Life)”. The Per Ankh is now a feature in the Kemetic Wisdom School at www. shockmetaphysics.com. You can get his free E-Course and study guide at www.kabakamene.com.

Kaba Hiawatha has written many educational curricula guides and collaborated with teams in the creation of many study guides. He co-authored a book titled, “Mi aMoor” with Kaashe Muzik and has authored a biography on the architect of America’s African studies program “Honoring William Leo Hansberry.”

Kaba Hiawatha lives in New York with his wife, Sharen of 37 years and they have two daughters, Sasha Madeline, Candace Deana and one son, Heru. Their children have followed in their parent’s footsteps and work in fields that serve humanity and the community.

Kaba Hiawatha Kamene’s motto is “#No Distractions, Keep on Keepin’ on, It ain’t over ‘til we win!”

To purchase Kaba Kamene's books, video and other materials, visit

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