Wendy L. Muhammad is an effective business leader, entrepreneur, and global thought leader with exemplary management, organizational and strategic thinking skills with a proven record of accomplishments in initiating and managing change. Wendy has handled every aspect of the business from project management, process improvements, crisis management, contract negotiations, financial reporting, auditing, and internal control analysis with a demonstrated ability to implement decisions and achieve corporate goals.
Wendy began her formal career with Price Waterhouse Coopers and worked as a Business Consultant, Executive Project Manager, and Business Thought Leader. She has served as Crisis Manager for many Corporations, Executives, and Celebrities. She has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and emerging leaders and managed over $500 million in projects.
One of her new exciting ventures includes the reclamation and renovation of The Elijah Muhammad House also known as Sajdah House™ to landmark status. The historic turn-of-the-century mansion located in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago is the former National House of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and The Nation of Islam. It is dedicated to the cultural exhibition of the economic development of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and impactful entrepreneurs from marginalized communities around the world.
This project is not only a labor of love, dedication, and restoration for Wendy but a symbol of Black History, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, Cultural Equality, American History, and an opportunity to preserve and share a very important part of American History. The home was once the center of economic and political development from the 1950s to the 1970s. Prominent world leaders and iconic African Americans, such as Malcolm X, Senator Adam Clayton Powell, Muhammad Ali, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Stokey Carmichael, and Sam Cooke have graced this home with their illuminating presence.
This historical project is dedicated to the training and development of entrepreneurs from marginalized communities around the world. The economic development and restoration will be futuristic, inclusive, and will be a multi-sensory experience for all of humanity.
N’DIGO sat down with Wendy L. Muhammad and discussed her purchasing the mansion and her vision for the renovation.
The house has been vacant for about 20 years. It was the original home of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad House 1952 to 1972. It was also the former National Home of The Nation of Islam at 4855 South Woodlawn Avenue. Mr. Muhammad moved and built a new home next door. The house has 23 rooms, the main house has 12,000 square feet, with a coach house. Family members were trying to get the house, it was in foreclosure and I saw it about to be auctioned. I could not let this happen. The house has 23 rooms, the main house has 12,000 square feet, with a coach house. Family members were trying to get the house, it was in foreclosure and I saw it about to be auctioned. I could not let this happen. I wanted the house and closed on it in nine days, buying it from a bank for $745,000. It was in disrepair and there was a raccoon family living in there. Today it is valued at $2.5 million and we have begun a total renovation.
What is your vision for the property?
The vision is to make it a house museum where people can learn about the accomplishments of Elijah Muhammad as a person and that includes his programs to resurrect and transform Black/Brown people as well as his teachings on an economic program that was valued as a $100 million economic empire.
What was the economic program?
It included farming, food processing and distribution, meat packing, media, retail, clothing, manufacturing, bakeries, fish farming/distribution, real estate development, aviation, trucking and transportation, universities, primary education and temples around the world.
What is in the museum?
The first floor will be restored to the way it actually looked in the 60’s when he lived there, which incudes, digital exhibits that display video and audio recordings of iconic conversation he had with civil rights leaders, business influencers and internal teachings.
These conversations are at the dining room table and in his living/sitting room with the likes of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., James Baldwin, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, and Reverend Ralph Abernathy. This will be historic. All of these conversations were taped. As you tour the facility, you will hear three-minute recordings and snippets of these conversations as well as being able to view artifacts from that period. On the second floor, is the exhibit space, where we will show the nation’s business using technology, where it will change with highlights monthly, there will be virtual tours as well as in-person tours.
Tell me about the renovation.
The exterior of the house will be restored to its original architectural form when it was built in 1902. The architectural design has been preserved and it was originally known as The William French Burrows House. He was a member of the High Order of the Masonic and his wife was a member of the Daughters of the Revolution.
The original features included the ornate limestone, cooper bay windows, copper downspouts and gutters and original brick. There is restoration of the lead and stained-glass windows, original woodwork has been restored, with updated kitchen and bath rooms. Their reason for building the house was to have a spiritual space to discuss economic development and to build businesses in Chicago, Elijah Muhammad continued the tradition in that house by focusing on economic and spiritual development for Black people.
The original kitchen was designed to prevent infection, diseases and contamination. We are working to replicate that design as much as possible. The dinners that were served were in alignment with the dietary program of how to eat to live, which include what we today label as “farm to table” eating. Mrs. Clara Muhammad ran the nation at one point. She designed the kitchen and elaborated on hospitality systems that hosted the iconic guests that you will learn about when you visit the house.
We plan to open to celebrate the anniversary of Mr. Muhammad’s birth in October of 2021. It will be the grand opening week.
How has the House been received?
It has been well received by our immediate neighbors and the entire Nation of Islam, the Muslim World and the Black activist’s world. Architectural societies around the world are excited including those in the State of Illinois as well as schools and universities, historians from all walks of life and those interested in history via the use of modern technology, including, 3D video displays and holograms.
How is this project been financed?
Through personal finances and savings in addition we have recycled the old copper and created commemorative Elijah Muhammad coins that we will sell, to raise money.
Will there be an admission fee for the museum?
Yes, there will be a fee to tour virtually and in person.
Is the museum just for the Nation of Islam Members?
Absolutely not. Our goal is for the world to experience and enjoy this demonstration, and exhibits of the richness of Black history as it played on a world stage.
Who is your audience?
We want to use this space appropriately to educate our children and the world with authenticity by using place-based education and immersing them in these historic conversations. Youth from around the world, historians, architectural enthusiasts, history buffs, writers, researchers, and those who are just curious will enjoy this experience.
Wendy L. Muhammad is the proprietor of the Mind of an Entrepreneur™ brand that publishes books, hosts radio and television shows and webinars, and offers training on mental business strategies to marginalized people around the world. Her current book entitled Mind of an Entrepreneur is available on Amazon Books.
Visit www.WendyMuhammad.com
Follow Wendy on Instagram @SajdahHouse and @MOEToday
