The Founders

Akilah

Founder

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Akilah first acknowledges that her accomplishments, past, present and future is all by God’s permission, and of course doing the work.  Akilah says her greatest accomplishment is being a mother, a thankless, difficult and rewarding job.  She is a published Author, Journalist, Attorney, Conflict Resolutions Advocate and Certified Mediator. She is also a Former Television Reporter and has had a stint Modeling.  Akilah is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, where she has held several positions on the state, local, and national level.  She last served as the Legal Advisor for the State of Illinois, and has served as a member of the Sororities National Legal Council. She is on the advisory board of several other organizations.

Akilah is passionate about issues that affect the rights and well being of women and children.  While she has participated in numerous community service projects, mentoring, and counseling others, she is very proud of her role in helping to start another Stork’s Nest program for her Sorority.  Stork’s Nest in partnership with the March of Dimes, mission is to raise prematurity awareness, prevent premature births and provide educational programs to aid women who are least likely to receive consistent prenatal care. Akilah has also taught the Focus on Children class, a course required for parents in Illinois that are in custody disputes over their children.

She is a published author, and started Then The Sun Rose, where she facilitates women's retreats and other niche retreats and international excursions. 

When Akilah forces herself to take some free time, she enjoys traveling, writing, and attending theatrical productions.

Dr. Hakeemah 

Founder

Dr. Hakeemah Jihad Muhammad, wife, mother, and co-founder of The Royal Empress is affectionately known as Haqq meaning “The Truth”. Dr. Jihad is indeed a true representative of her name. The name Hakeemah means “A sage, philosopher, and a doctor”. The name Jihad has means “the act of striving, and preserving and applying oneself, ready to defend. The name Haqq means “the truth”. Well when you put Dr. Jihad’s name together you have “ A Sage, Philosopher and Doctor who is constantly striving, applying and preserving herself, ready to defend, and always bringing and representing the truth.    

Over the years Dr. Jihad has served in many roles and capacities all of which exemplify her leadership qualities.

 As a ranking official of “The Vanguard”, a part of supreme military system and organization in North America, Dr. Jihad was responsible for the direct training of women & girls ages 16-35.  In addition Dr. Jihad’s responsibilities included securing and protecting some of the world’s greatest and most respected and renowned leaders and dignitaries as well as being responsible for securing and providing protection for celebrity delegations throughout the country.

Dr. Jihad’s exemplary acts of service and leadership extended itself in the ranks of the sisterhood of the Eastern Star, serving as the “Past Worthy Matron and Past Grand and Supreme Lecturer”, providing direction and leadership to adult women under the Progressive Supreme Grand Lodge.

In 2005 Dr. Jihad along with ten other phenomenal women founded ABW (Aspiring Black Women) Enterprises, Inc. which was a corporation made up of women from diverse personal, educational and professional backgrounds. An organization dedicated to the upliftment of community through programs focused on the empowering of women, educating and mentoring children, and supporting black businesses and entrepreneurs by leveraging social and professional networks. Dr. Jihad served as Executive Partner to this organization providing leadership, consulting and spiritual guidance.

Recognizing a need and seeing a lack of fair and quality representation amongst record labels in the entertainment industry, Dr. Jihad and her business partner started Emblazon Entertainment Inc. in 2010. Emblazon Entertainment provided many artist with quality recording contracts and opportunities offering their artist lime light exposure, showcasing their great talents and artistic abilities.

 As an expert in the area of research, communication and lecturing, Dr. Jihad has served at the collegiate level as a professor teaching for The University of Phoenix and American Public University while additionally lending her orator and research skills as a panelist and presenter at community forums and important dialogues.  

Dr. Jihad provides a unique perspective to both executives and individuals alike. Her corporate and management expertise in the areas of law enforcement, security, training, leadership development and team building gives her a sophisticated edge that sets her apart from the rest.

Over the span of 20 years Dr. Jihad, who holds a doctorates degree in organizational leadership has demonstrated her leadership skills in the fields of banking, consulting, sales, customer service, and entertainment . Dr. Jihad currently serves as the CEO of Jihad Marketing and Consulting.

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