StayHumble, StayHungry, StayResilient, Stay in the Moment
Hakeem Al-Zayyidi Enterprises & Associates (H.A.E.& A.) goal is to inspire, motivate, and empower those with mental illness to achieve the best possible version of themselves untapped talent pool understand their own abilities and talents
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Who is Hakeem?
Hakeem Al-Zayyidi is an Islamic motivational and inspirational speaker. Hakeem is a graduate of Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.
It took Hakeem ten years to obtain his four-year undergraduate degree in Business and Sustainability.
His heroes and those who have motivated him to succeed include Malcolm X, LeBron James, Mohammed Ali, and Elyn Saks.
Hakeem has been dealing with schizophrenia since his early 20s.
The path he has chosen is to highlight the plight, stigma, and stories of himself and others who have mental illness.
His fascination with all that is basketball mirrors his quest to take shot after shot in his mission to speak to the uniqueness of mental illness in this world.
I Speak.
Hakeem inspires provides creative, unique interactive motivational public speaking to organizations with a focus on schizophrenia and mental illness.
I Model.
With Udamma fashion owned by fashion designer Emmanuel Okee. Udamma means Synergy in the Igala language. Aim to promote Community and Cultural diversity through Fashion. Udamma – from Africa!
I Inspire.
Motivate, and empower those with mental illness to achieve the best possible version of themselves untapped talent pool understands their own abilities and talents
Schizofacts
The terms mental health and mental illness are often used interchangeably however there is a distinction.
Mental health is how we think feel and manage stress / maintain relationships and interact with others in the world.
My Journey
Hakeem the Dream & Kareem The Big A
“Kareem (alternatively spelled Karim or Karim) (Arabic: کریم) is a common given name and surname of Arabic origin that means “generous,” “noble,” “honorable.” It is also one of the Names of God in Islam in the Quran.
Hakeem, as a boy’s name, is pronounced hah-KEEM. It is of Arabic origin, and the meaning of Hakeem is “wise, intelligent.” In Islam, one of the ninety-nine attribute names of Allah. “
Hakeem and Kareem both loved the same video games, movies, tv shows, and basketball. Hakeem also enjoys boxing, modest African modeling, West African drumming, and Hip-hop karaoke.
Hakeem was born with his Identical twin Kareem Al-Zayyidi in Queen Elizabeth hospital Barbados. Hakeem and Kareem lived in Barbados until age 13. Hakeem and Kareem moved to Canada at age 13. His symptoms of schizophrenia did not show until age 20, and his brother Kareem at age 19. Hakeem’s Islamic & academic journey began at age 20. In 2009, Hakeem enrolled In Mathematics and English upgrade classes at Camosun College. He was also working as a customer service representative for a pizza corporation, in which they eventually lay him off. However, his academic journey took a detour. In 2010, his schizophrenia symptoms made it difficult for him to do his job correctly, and he was also unable to study. Hakeem, in 2010 was admitted to the Eric Martin hospital, where he stayed for a few months.
Hakeem Al-Zayyidi was given an I.Q. of 74 when first admitted to the Mental health hospital for schizophrenia. Like his inspiration Malcolm X, this affected his ability to read and write. His quest to impact other lives is credited to the loss of his twin Kareem and those who he has lost with mental illness. His English professor, Ms. Moira Walker, told him Malcolm X could not read and write and should be his inspiration. Hakeem was on the verge of failing English 151 again. His professor sat him down and spent time after a class. She was frustrated; Hakeem was missing capital letters, periods, misspelled words, and many common grammatical errors, which is unacceptable at the College level. Since being diagnosed in 2010 with schizophrenia through the mental health system, Hakeem received the proper treatment and therapies. Ever since, he has battled with his schizophrenia. His early journey to recovery was imperative to his social, academic, and long-term professional development. Hakeem eventually took marketing courses and eventually enrolled in the Marketing Business option, which took him seven years to complete while managing his still high symptoms of schizophrenia. He would graduate from Camosun in 2017 and enroll in Business Administration with a focus on sustainability. He graduated on scholarship from the B.C. Schizophrenia Society in 2020.
Hakeem often reflects on world issues and is passionate about sustainability issues. A concept that stood out to Hakeem is the multiple forms of capital by Nipun Mehta. The forms of capital Nipun listed are nature, community, compassion, time, technology, culture, knowledge, attention, and so many more that we can exemplify.
“Money has replaced intangibles, our shared love for joy, meals with friends or neighbours, being kind to others’ peace, etc. there are numerous examples. The more we put a price tag on everything, the more it drives a sense of scarcity which is not good for our minds, hearts, or brains” Nipun Mehta.
Hakeem’s biggest challenge and goal with managing his schizophrenia are his struggles to improve his Imaan. He addresses his behaviours, thoughts, and actions. He is always seeking growth knowledge and reaches out often on how he can improve from his local Imam Ismail Masjid Al-Iman Victoria B.C. Hakeem strives to develop into being pious, humble, and kind, pure heart and intention. Hakeem understands that this will be his biggest test to overcome his mental illness struggle to become like Malcolm X, his inspiration.
This led to Hakeem’s deep desire and quest to become a servant leader. A leader that is universally selfless and dedicates their life to helping others. Hakeem genuinely wants to see others grow and improve themselves and bring about positive change in their lives. He understands the struggle of schizophrenia and mental illness and those whose mental health was impacted negatively, especially during this pandemic. Hakeem is inspired by Elyn Saks, who shares the same mission to help those with mental illness lead fulfilling, productive lives. Elyn invited Hakeem to dinner in L.A. Elyn Saks is an inspirational lady with schizophrenia. She is an Associate Dean and Orrin B. Evans, Professor of Law, psychology, and psychiatry and the Behavioural Sciences at the University of Southern California Gould Law School, an expert in mental health law. Elyn Saks established the “Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics.
The Institute’s objective is to help people with mental illness lead fulfilling, productive lives.
