~ YUSEF IMAN ~

Activist, Poet, Singer, Writer, Director, Producer, Musician, Actor, Teacher, Minister

BIOGRAPHY

Yusef Iman’s earth life was from October 6, 1933 to June 23, 1987, born in Savannah, Georgia. He was one of the most significant contributors to the Black Arts and Black Liberation movements in the 1960's. His art was revolutionary and progressive along with other artists and writers such as Amiri Baraka, Ed Bullins, Larry Neal, Sonia Sanchez, Gwendolyn Brooks, Haki Madhubuti, Askia Muhammad Toure. It was at the Black Arts Repertory Theatre School in Harlem spearheaded by Amiri Baraka that catapulted Yusef Iman on the national stage. Yusef’s theatrical skills were highlighted and honed performing in revolutionary theater in such plays as "Dutchman,” "Black Mass," "Arm Yourself or Harm Yourself,” "Jello" written by Amiri Baraka and "The Militant Preacher" written by graphic artist and playwriter, Ben Caldwell, who affectionately refer to Yusef Iman as a “Supreme Activist.”

The ethics, aesthetics and cultural nationalism of the Black Arts Movement empowered conscious people to pursue and appreciate revolutionary Black Art. Black art was a cultural creation and political commitment and it was the responsibility of the artists to their communities that laid the basis for revolutionary change in Black people's consciousness.

The quest for national self-determination sparked the formation of this new/old consciousness. The revolutionary spirit of the 1960's was a critical phase in people of African descent’s evolution. As a people, it's rejection of white supremacy and white culture was the basis of development for new Pan-African Consciousness and Yusef Iman was a central figure in that development.

Yusef's metamorphosis began as a member of the Nation of Islam, through Malcolm X's Muslim Mosque Inc. and the O.A.A.U. (Organization of Afro-American Unity). It was in the Muslim Mosque Inc. that Malcolm X bestowed the name "Yusef Iman" upon Joseph Washington, Jr. Malcolm always marveled how faithful he was, so he changed his name from Joseph which is Yusef in Arabic and Iman means faith.

After Minister Malcolm’s passing, Yusef religious stance became null and took a more non-sectarian, spiritual approach to life. His long time friend and colleague, Herbert Gaston (from his early years in the 1950’s working as a nurse’s assistant in Metropolitan Hospital), introduced him to the non-denominational metaphysical church Unity led by the late Eric & Olga Butterworth.

He was also ordained into the ministry through Prophet Isaac Stokes, “Universal Temple of Thought” (UTOT) church in Brooklyn, NY. The UTOT philosophy was similar to the teachings and values of Unity.

THE EARLY YEARS

Prior to becoming Yusef Iman in the 1950's, he was "Rocky" growing up in Harlem, NY and singing was his first love. His vocal coaches were Fred Johnson and jazz and blues singer, Joe Williams who was the lead vocalist in Count Basie’s Orchestra.

Yusef’s natural independent spirit allowed him to form his own groups, "The Sparrows," and "The Performers" which recorded on King Records in August 1956. Eventually, he also sang with "The Wrens" and one of their major performances in January, 1956 was at the legendary promoter, Alan Freed’s "Holiday Jubilee" Christmas show at the Academy of Music on 14th Street and 4th Avenue in New York City. Some of the songs he composed was “Betty Jean” and “She’s My Everything.” The albums "The Best of the Wrens" and The Wrens "Come Back My Love" have been re-released and can currently be purchased at most music outlets.

As a revolutionary cultural activist, Yusef was determined to utilize the vehicle of art to “innerattain" indicating to educate and uplift the inner souls and consciousness of the audience and attain the messages given as opposed to just being entertained.

Yusef’s significant accomplishments cannot be measured by the number of films and plays he performed in, but how he worked to give young people the opportunity to write, recite poetry and act in meaningful theatre.

Some of the books, poems and conscious songs published, "Love," "Weusi Alphabeti" (Black Alphabet), "Something Black," "Praise the Red, Black and Green," "Kwanzaa," "We Gonna Rise," “Poems for Beautiful Black Women,” and many others. His poems are also published in the books, "Black Fire" and "Black Dialogue" and much of his writings are in most public, private and academic libraries. Yusef's poems and songs are still being utilized today and his most famous poem, "Love Your Enemy" has been used extensively in documentaries, schools and organization’s events and programs. The poem was also in the "Harlem On My Mind" 1969 exhibit as an audio recording with the poem encased in a beautiful frame at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Yusef made his mark as a dynamic activist with the Black Arts Repertory Theatre, the Spirit House Movers and Players in NewArk, New Jersey, the EAST Cultural Center which housed the independent school, Uhuru Sasa in Brooklyn, NY. It was at The EAST, Yusef  organized the Weusi Kuumba Troupe which toured throughout the United States, the Caribbean and South America performing dramatic skits, poetry, African dance, drum and songs which captured the audience to feel proud and be a people of self-determination and self-respect.

“Yusef gave his most, his utmost,

his deepest, his best,

because he was trying

to make a revolution.”

                            ~ Amiri Baraka

Yusef's path of diligent activism was passionate and sincere in uplifting the cultural and spiritual consciousness of people of African descent. He was fearless, bold and courageous as the head security for prominent leaders in the community. Yusef was much loved and highly respected for his work, dedication and unwavering faith that "We Gonna Rise!" as we "Organize and Unify!“ to eradicate “Confusion” and make "Today is Ours!"

Life Paths of Yusef Iman

"Supreme Activist," Family Man, Singer, Musician, Poet, Actor, Writer, Teacher, Minister