Hearth Woman of the Month: Khadeejah B

Welcome to Hearth Woman of the Month! In this series, we talk to members, hosts and influential women we believe encompass what we stand for at the Hearth in order to learn from them, open channels of collaboration and listen to as many voices as possible.

Khadeejah B. is an ex-English teacher with a lot of strings to her bow. From being a brand strategist and product designer to building her own e-commerce fashion brand. She started Every Black Muslim Girl in 2018 after feeling left out in communities. EBMG aims to magnify the voices of Black Muslim women through community. Needless to say, we were really interested to talk to her and highlight her as our Hearth Woman of the Month.

What is Every Black Muslim Girl and how did it come to be?

KB: Every Black Muslim Girl is a platform dedicated to helping Black Muslim women thrive. Founded in 2018, the platform was the first of it’s kind. After years of continuously being referred to as “The Black Muslim Girl” I realised there weren't any spaces that catered to my needs as a Black Muslim Woman.

What has been the most rewarding element of filling a gap/creating something that didn’t exist before?

KB: Seeing how much our community has grown over the last 5 years. Everyday we’re able to meet and connect with different Black Muslim Women across the globe that feel safe within our space. It’s the fact that for a lot of Black Muslim Women, they finally have a space to call their own, they don’t need to worry about fitting in or being asked weird questions. It’s rewarding to see Black Muslim Women be themselves in all of their glory.

What has been your biggest learning in founding a community?

KB: My biggest learning would be understanding that this space is much bigger than me. When you start a community-based business you quickly learn there's a huge difference with a product based business.

You’re growing something that people count on, need and want. You have to live up to that and ensure that you are always catering to their very specific needs. When things get a little hard I always have to remind myself that this space is much more bigger than myself and the work that’s being done is for our 15,000+ members.

Giving up or caving in, is giving up and caving in on them.

What was running a business during Ramadan like?

KB: I think it’s safe to say that running a business during Ramadan is hectic! But also very enjoyable. I think for the first time my team and I were evey intentional with how we wanted to work during Ramadan.

This meant that we had created our Ramadan strategy earlier on in the year which helped us carve out time for our own personal goals during Ramadan.

Sometimes it’s a bittersweet feeling because you feel like you are not doing enough for yourself but this Ramadan I constantly reminded myself that an act of services to others is an act of service to myself.

How does your faith empower you to achieve your professional goals?

KB: My faith plays a huge role when achieving my personal and professional goals. I know I can because I serve the one who can. A lot of my confidence is rooted in my belief that God will always do what’s right by me, as long as I play my part He won’t disappoint me. Faith is a huge part of my identity not just visabily but also on a personal level and how I choose to operate and show up in the world as an entrepreneur.

What is the greatest myth about Black Muslim women?

KB: That we are all reverts. To be honest, it’s a very boring myth. Growing up, myths were creative. This one just lacks a lot of that. Islam has a rich African history within it and it’s a shame that it’s not seen and heard.

What happens when the EBMG community comes together?

KB: Love is what happens. When we come together it’s filled with so much love and power and most importantly safety. We’re able to come together and create a space that allows us to feel just like us, nothing more, nothing less. It gives us a sense of belonging and a place to call home.

What drives your passion for celebrating Black Muslim women?

KB: The fact that as a Black Muslim woman myself I know that there is so much more to me than my identity. Yes, I’m black, yes I’m a Muslim but I’m also Khadeejah. I also love to be creative, I love empowering women and that’s my story.

Many black Muslim women are not given the opportunity and grace to share THEIR story.

Why do women need a community?

KB: One of my core beliefs is that every woman needs a tribe. A place away from home to call home. That’s why, since coming across The Hearth, I’ve fallen in love with the work you do. Community is important, especially for a woman in a world that constantly tells us how to live, how to be and what to do. Having a community allows you to show up as yourself.

After hosting my first event at The Hearth, I knew this was a space I would always come back to and make use of. What really makes me content is knowing you will always welcome me and my community with open arms.