Umar Hakim-Dey

From California Black Media

LOS ANGELES — Umar Hakim-Dey, a pillar of Southern California’s Black and Muslim communities, died Sept. 19 at the age of 55, community leaders announced.

Born and raised in Compton, Hakim-Dey was known for bridging racial, religious and generational divides while advocating for the unhoused and mentoring young people.

Hakim-Dey served as board chair for LA Voice, a multi-faith community organization, and founded Inkerij (pronounced encourage), a social enterprise advising nonprofit and social impact organizations. He spearheaded Humanitarian Day, one of the nation’s largest Muslim-led charity initiatives, emphasizing not just giving but seeing recipients as human beings, according to Arbazz Nizami, co-founder of the Sahaba Initiative.

“One o

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