Yaa Bea was a remarkable individual whose presence had a positive influence on her community and everyone she encountered. Born on July 7, 1949, in Harlem Hospital to Rosalina Stallings, she recognized early on that she possessed something special. The number 7 held significant meaning in her life, symbolizing her divine essence. At the age of 16, she joined the Nation of Islam and adopted the name Brenda 16X while attending the mosque in Harlem, New York. This was a time when the African American population was fighting for civil rights, and Brenda 16X found inspiration in the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which had a profound impact on her. Despite her decision diverging from her family's beliefs, her mother embraced her choice because it brought positivity to Brenda's life and set her on a journey of self-discovery and an African-centered lifestyle.

Brenda 16X eventually became Brenda Muhammad, and she dedicated her career to counseling troubled children living in group homes. She met and married Brodie Harriston, who, like Brenda, was influenced by the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, leading him to join the Nation of Islam and change his name to Brodie Muhammad. The couple, along with their biological children Mist and Yazid, adopted Brenda's nephew Mike Pierce, creating a loving and expanding family.

Brenda experienced a spiritual event that profoundly affected her and others in her community. This encounter instilled in her a deep respect for the power of God and Spirit. In 1979, Brenda's family moved from New York to Virginia. Initially, she embraced the role of a dedicated housewife, caring for her children. However, the move brought unforeseen challenges to her marriage, and she and Brodie eventually separated and divorced, leaving Brenda as a single mother. This transition transformed her into a resilient superwoman. Recognizing her artistic talent, she pursued a career in drafting, enrolling in community college to become a professional drafter. This life event propelled her further on a path of self-improvement, as she sought guidance from her inner Creator, envisioning and creating a life for herself and her children.

To support her family and maintain her leadership role, Brenda became an After School Program Counselor, ensuring her children's educational and athletic involvement while keeping them close. Her dedication and experience as a single mother made her a role model, and she became a friend and mentor to many peers facing similar circumstances.

As her children grew and ventured out on their own, Brenda felt a restlessness within her. She began to immerse herself in community activism, drawn naturally to the African-centered community in the Tidewater VA area and Richmond. She eagerly attended scholarly lectures by renowned figures such as Dr. Ishakamusa Barashango, Dr. John Henry Clarke, Dr. Yosef Ben Yochanan, Dr. Khalid Muhammad, Dr. Ronoko Rashidi, and Dr. Ashra Kwesi. Inspired by these intellectuals and their African-centered programs like Kwanzaa and Black History Month, Brenda actively organized events featuring these scholars. This exposure ignited her interest in Norfolk VA politics, and she actively supported candidates she believed would positively impact predominantly African American communities. While expanding her network and making a difference, Brenda soon realized that politics was not her true calling.

In 2006, Brenda obtained a USA passport and joined Ashra Kwesi's KemetNu Educational Bootcamp Tour of Kemet (Egypt). This transformative journey deeply impacted her and sparked her vision of living in Africa. Brenda and her son completed a two-year program with the DeZert Club and were rewarded with a free educational tour of Egypt, where they were joined by Brenda's niece Ayanna, nephew Na'im, and oldest son Mike, who traveled to Egypt separately on the KemetNu tour. In Nubia, the family reunited for a memorable photograph.

The DeZert Club also organized a tour to Ghana, which Brenda and her daughter Mist eagerly participated in. This experience greatly influenced Brenda. During the tour, she unexpectedly encountered Dr. Akbar Muhammad, the International Minister of the Nation of Islam, whom she had known from her days in the N.O.I. This encounter introduced Brenda to an extraordinary opportunity to become part of an African Diaspora Community called Fihankra. Feeling guided by a higher force, Brenda saw the chance to contribute at the grassroots level, utilizing her acquired life skills. She began visiting Ghana annually to explore the possibility of making it her permanent home. With careful planning, Brenda scripted a plan to retire early and relocate to Ghana. Her successful ventures in house flipping allowed her to expand her options. The experience of refurbishing homes and collaborating with skilled and unskilled laborers equipped her with invaluable skills, experience, and confidence to build her own home. Brenda envisioned selling her properties and moving to Ghana with a nest egg, in addition to her social security and retirement funds, ensuring a comfortable life in her new chosen home.

Brenda made the decision to acquire a plot of land at Ye Fa Ogyamu, Fihankra, located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. This move marked the beginning of her legacy for her children to follow. She devised a business plan for a roller skating rink, envisioning an edutainment center for the youth in the wider community. During her previous visits to Ghana, Brenda had observed idle youth on the streets, reminiscent of the situation she witnessed in New York before the devastating impact of drugs. Enlisting the help of her son Yazid, she embarked on the journey to settle in Ghana and establish her business. During her 2009 vacation, Brenda invested in a Kia Bongo pickup truck and constructed a chalet using natural materials in just 40 days. After completing the structure, she returned to Virginia to prepare for her retirement parties. On October 1, 2009, Brenda and her son repatriated themselves to Ghana, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives.