The Black Muslims Of Oakland: Part Two

aug 07 western resistance

The Black Muslims Of Oakland - Part Two

Bey and his fatherYusuf Bey, the founder of the Black Muslims, was born Joseph H. Stevens in Greeneville, Texas on December 21, 1935. At the age of 5, he moved with his family to Oakland. When he was 17 he joined the US Air Force, being honorably discharged four years later. He studied cosmetology, gaining a degree, and in Santa Barbara and Oakland he ran beauty salons. He met Elijah Muhammad, then leader of the Nation of Islam, in 1962, and soon embraced his teachings.

In 1968, Bey started a bakery in Santa Barbara called "Your Bakery". This would later be called "Your Black Muslim Bakery" at the suggestion of Elijah Muhammad. In 1971, Bey moved this bakery to Oakland. He claimed that he had been inspired to create the bakery after reading Elijah Muhammad's book How To Eat To Live. His father had assisted him in the bakery enterprise.

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