Muslim Black American, a song by artist J-Seriyus (Jameel F. Karim) represents the intersecting identities of Muslim and African American. Tariq talks with him about issues of race within the Muslim community, the importance of Black male artist moving beyond typical expressions of masculinity, the importance of sharing painful or traumatic experiences in art, and what he hopes to achieve through his music.

Jameel F. Karim aka J- Seriyus is a Chicago Native who began rapping at the age of 15 and has performed abroad and across the United States. Early in his career, he released projects as a member of the group MPAC. In 2018 J-Seriyus co-founded Elite Regime Entertainment and released his first solo album "Tested." You can find more of his work on YouTube at Elite Regime.

Benjamin Banger-- Whistle (Instagram (@BenJaminBanger)http://smarturl.it/hjfi20)

J-Serius-- Muslim Black American; Do You Love Me

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LifeStar Communications

My guest is the one and only, Layla Abdullah Poulos. Layla is the Founder & Managing Editor of NbA Muslims, an adjunct history professor, a Literary Critic, a contributing writer to multiple publications, and a writing coach. Layla's recently published a romance novel "My Way to You" that centers on the relationship of an interracial couple, a Black woman and an Asian man.

The story packs suspense, conversation-starting social commentary, and yes love. We take a deep dive on lots of the themes in the book, and also hear what's behind the characters.

You can find Layla on Twitter, IG, and FB @laylawriteslove

Music

Benjamin Banger-- Whistle (Instagram (@BenJaminBanger)http://smarturl.it/hjfi20)

J-Serius-- Muslim Black American

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Tariq I. El-Amin

My guest is Marlon Hayes, Author, Spoken Word Artist, Blogger, Writer, and just an all around good brother. When asked the question "how many books have you written?" He's written so many, he's actually stumped. He continues to write at a breakneck pace, but finds great fulfilment in being able to mentor new writers; he calls it 'his ministry.' Check out the full conversation. Let me know what you think.

Guest- Marlon Hayes.

Host/Producer- Tariq I. El-Amin

Music

Benjamin Banger-- Whistle (Instagram (@BenJaminBanger)http://smarturl.it/hjfi20)

J-Serius-- Muslim Black American

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Tariq I. El-Amin

We begin part 2 of our discussion on the intersection of Blackness and Religion with Donna Auston, an anthropologist, writer and activist whose body of work focuses on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, media representation, and Islam in America. Some of her written work includes book chapters on the historical contributions of African American Muslims in the arts, culture, and social justice movements, and the intersection between Islamophobia and Black Lives Matter. Her work has been covered by national news outlets, including NBC News, and The Huffington Post, and she was named one of the top 100 Muslim Social Justice leaders by MPower Change in 2016.

Host- Tariq I. El-Amin

Production- LifeStar Communications

Music-

Allston Night Owl by Blue Dot Sessions https://bit.ly/2Pb3Ms1

Whistle by BenJamin Banger https://bit.ly/2OBPIs3 (@BenJaminBanger) http://smarturl.it/hjfi20

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Courtesy of Donna Auston

This is the first installment in a multi-part conversation featuring different guest weighing in on the intersection of Blackness and Religion. Our guest is Minister Lynda Holiday Lawrence, who serves on the Justice Watch Team at Trinity United Church of Christ and also is their Minister for International Human Rights and Social Justice.

Guest-Minister Lynda Holiday Lawrence

Host-Tariq I. El-Amin

Produced by Tariq I. El-Amin for LifeStar Communications

Music

Benjamin Banger-- Whistle (Instagram (@BenJaminBanger)http://smarturl.it/hjfi20)

J-Serius-- Tough Guys

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LifeStar Communications

Episode 1. "The Intro" looking at the language surrounding Blackness through the words of iconic Black leaders/thinkers Dr. Martin Luther King jr, El Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X), James Baldwin, and Imam Warith Deen Mohammed. Exploring the feeling of frustration and loss that accompanies Blackness in the U.S. by looking at a performance on ABC's Blackish "We Built This."

Produced & Engineered by LifeStar Communications

Music-

Stillborn Blues--Rideau (05:04) https://bit.ly/2wqYihv

Benjamin Banger-- Whistle (Instagram (@BenJaminBanger)http://smarturl.it/hjfi20)

J-Serius-- Muslim Black American

ABC-Blackish- We Built This

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Lifestar Communications

One of the pieces from my upcoming work entitled The Seasons Of My Speech.