WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the wake of African American History month, two of our great establishments that were produced by the struggle to see our humanity free, Sojourner Douglass College and The Nation’s Mosque, Masjid Muhammad in Washington, D.C., have entered into a historic partnership.

For the first time in our history, the community of Imam W.D. Mohammed will lead, staff and manage an accredited Islamic department and program associated with an independent African American College.This historic milestone agreement was achieved by way of meetings and negotiations between the College’s Founder and President, Dr. Charles Simmons and Imam Talib Shareef, President and Resident Imam of the Nation’s Mosque.

“The door for this relationship was actually opened years ago when Sojourner Douglass presented our late leader, Imam W. Deen Mohammed with an honorary Doctorate Degree in 2003. We are so grateful to be going through doors that he opened and we look forward to building a lasting productive relationship,” said Imam Shareef.

When Dr. Simmons was asked why they conferred Imam Mohammed with such a degree, he said, “…Because Imam Mohammed’s life and achievements were worthy and they exemplified that of our college. … We also want to thank Imam Earl El-Amin, who has history with us and who was instrumental in making it happen.” In 2003, after calling Imam Mohammed to receive the Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree, the Master of Ceremonies, began by saying, “Imam Wallace Deen Mohammed, son of Elijah Mohammed, is the leader and international spokesman for the American Society of Muslims. “He is a tireless laborer for the interests of peace and justice in our world, and he has worked tirelessly for and realized direct and genuine dialogue between people of all races and religions.“ His clear representation of true Islamic faith and practice, humanitarian service, and leadership for the establishment of Muslim life in the United States are well documented…”

Imam Mohammed received this honor at Sojourner’s main campus in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland, where the 41 year old center of academic excellence began its history in the early 1970s with community groups, leaders and the local Council of Churches coming together and discussing the educational needs of local residents. “We wanted to produce an institution that would serve the Black community and work toward community self-reliance and provide a “culturally pluralistic learning environment,” said Dr. Simmons.

Subsequently, on Feb. 7, 1980, the Sojourner-Douglass College became an independent institution under Maryland law and on June 19, 1980 the College was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education. Integral to and in keeping with Sojourner’s initial mission, though it facilitates and welcomes diversity, it has a strong interest in and pulls students generally from the large population of adults in the African American community. Sojourner’s program is designed to stimulate the motivation of students and enhance the students’ development of positive self images. We salute Dr. Simmons who has tirelessly served as leader of Sojourner Douglass College since its establishment.