Hodari Abdul-Ali

Hodari Abdul-Ali is a Muslim of African-American descent from San Diego, California who has combined a career of business, journalism and community activism. Abdul-Ali graduated magna cum laude from Howard University's School of Communications in 1976. While there he was the Editor-In-Chief of the campus newspaper, The Hilltop, and travelled to Africa for the first time. Over the years he has worked with a number of publications and currently is a programmer with radio station WPFW in Washington, D.C.

Career

From 1977-1984 he founded and operated Liberation Information Distributing Co.,which became a leading wholesaler of books and periodicals about Africa, African-Americans and Islam across the United States. In 1981 he founded Pyramid Books in Washington,D.C., which by 1990 grew to become the 1st chain of independent African-American owned and oriented bookstores in the U.S., with additional locations in Maryland and California. Since 1995 he has operated Dar Es Salaam Books/Health Center in suburban Washington, D.C.

As an activist, Abdul-Ali has received numerous awards for community service and been involved with a variety of organizations ranging from those advocating reparations to those opposing the Iraq War. He made hajj in 1992 and has travelled to over 20 countries. He is married and the father of 4 children and grandfather of 4.

References

*cite web |url=http://www.washingtoninformer.com/OPEDAskia-2005Nov24.html |title=Black Bookstore Celebrates 10th Anniversary |first=Askia |last=Muhammad |date=November 24, 2005 |accessdate=2007-06-19
* [Web site of Br. Hodari http://www.brotherhodari.com/]