By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer
During libation ceremonies at local African-centered events, Dr. Tchaka Muhammed would often call out the name of his beloved grandmother Ethel Colter, in acknowledgement of the impact she had on his life.
People will now speak his name, as the community advocate and cultural historian joined the ancestors Oct. 22. Dr. Muhammed was 82.
Dr. Muhammed came to Sacramento by way of Oakland and his native Coffeyville, Kansas.
He served in the Marines and later was employed as supervisor for the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development before retiring in 2001. Dr. Muhammed also carved out a niche as an entrepreneur, selling hand-carved Afrocentric walking sticks.
His true love was working in the community.
“He would have given his life for this community,” said his daughter Kairis Joy Colter-Chiaji, a local doula.
Dr. Muhammed was known as the founding father of the Birthing Project and helped creator Kathryn Hall expand her fight for better birth outcomes for Black women nationally. When he won a major lottery jackpot in 2006, he covered the cost of Hall’s salary for two years. He also supported her efforts to provide free tuition for American students at a Cuban medical school.
As an “edu-tainer,” he often started presentations with “Let me tell you a story,” and enthralled children and adults alike with stories that connected them to their African heritage. He infused hip-hop into his poetry as a way to connect with and reach younger generations. Dr. Muhammed authored two books, “Mother Tongue Volume 1” and “Mother Tongue Volume 2.”
Dr. Muhammed supported countless charities and efforts, including the Sacramento Black Book Fair and Pastors for Peace.
As a poet and spoken-word artist, Dr. Muhammed was featured everywhere from local schools and libraries to popular venues like the long-running Mahogany Urban Poetry Series and the HairItage and Art on Stockton Boulevard series.
He performed at events ranging from Juneteenth to Kwanzaa. In the 1970s, he served on a Sacramento Kwanzaa Committee that spread the principles of Kwanzaa throughout the city and encouraged area residents to embrace them throughout the year. The committee stemmed from Shule Jumamose, an African-centered Saturday school for children.
One of the students back then was Shonna McDaniels, who is now the founder and director of the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. McDaniels and Dr. Muhammed formed a lifelong friendship, built on mutual respect and a shared love of African art.
“Baba Tchaka was the griot of our community and his presence will be missed,” McDaniels said. “Most importantly, he was my friend and a man of integrity. He never had a problem sharing with me the truth and for that I had an abundance of respect and love for him. The ancestors are pleased with his legacy and are welcoming him with honor.”
Dr. Muhammed held a respected place on the Council of Elders Metro Sacramento as its eldest member. The Council of Elders is a group dedicated to “strengthening the village” by encouraging, promoting and supporting African Americans’ access to diverse learning opportunities. Dr. Muhammed was a respected mentor of council co-founder Greg King, whom he handpicked to lead the Barbershop, the Birthing Project’s male support component, after seeing his work in the community.
“As much as he was a leader, he always knew when it was time to step back and let others lead,” King said. “That’s the one thing that he talked about – sharing his knowledge so that others can take that knowledge and continue to do the work and expand the legacy in which he led.”
King evoked the name of another community icon and educator, the late Frank Withrow, sharing how the two planned the Council of Elders and its mission together.
“They planted that seed amongst us. It’s up to us to water it and to harvest it and to continue on,” said King, who also leads the nonprofit Always Knocking Inc.
As news of Dr. Muhammed’s passing spread, tributes began pouring in. KDEE 97.5 radio host Jay King invited listeners to participate in a call-in tribute. Minister Imhotep Alkebulan, a friend and leader of the Wo’se Community Church of the Sacred African Way, led a tribute during his Oct. 27 Sunday service. Locals also took to social media to express their condolences, shared moments and lessons they learned from him over the years.
”He made a huge impact on this community and our world. … What a legacy he’s left,” wrote Tracey Jones.
“So many stories. We all have enough memories to fill volumes,” added Sylvia Smith Brady.
“This man spoke so much light into my life,” wrote Jamal Armstrong. “I could not be the strong man I am today without his knowledge and enlightenment.”
“He was always ready with a kind word, something that would make you laugh and always some wisdom,” added fellow creative Gerry “GOS” Simpson.
Mahogany Urban Poetry host Khiry Malik Moore shared how he was inspired by Dr. Muhammed after he was a guest speaker for an assembly at his high school in the early 1990s.
“During that rally, the man gave us so many jewels about life. I still use some of it,” Moore said.
Dr. Muhammed, Moore said, demonstrated what it looks like to be “selfless and fully intertwined into the community.”
“Through the years, after I actually became a poet in public, I’d see this man, still rocking poems, still dropping jewels, still representing for the culture,” he said.
Longtime friend and fellow community advocate Derrell Roberts called Dr. Muhammed a “giant” and by way of an online farewell said, “Job well done, leader.”
Or as others would say, áshe.
Dr. Muhammed was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Edward Colter and Frances Estella Colter Parrish; brothers Anthony Parrish, Roderick Parrish, Burnid Parrish; and sister Julie Parrish Rodgers.
He is survived by a large extended family that includes daughter Kairis Colter-Chiaji and husband Arthur Chiaji and their children Judah Dwight Sanders, Diamyn Colter Johnson and her husband Nate Johnson, Chase Johnson, Kenneth Khalil Colter-Burt, Ivory Chiaji, and Jacob Chiaji, their grandson Khalan Turner Colter and granddaughter Yskendra Kara Ergec; son Dune Colter and his children Zaire Siobhan Colter and Sakina Zuri Colter; son Jamal Colter and wife Kelly-Ann Colter and their children Devonte, Emari Colter, Ezekiel Colter, Kairis (Lavender) Colter-Johnson, Rayna, Robert, Khairee, and their grandchildren Devonte Jr, Ja’Rayah, Mailanni, Zhuri, Odyssey, Honesty, Juno; son Jahid Colter; son Troy Walker and wife Renee Barr Walker and their children Riccardus Barr, Mary Barr, Ashley Walker, Chassidy Walker Bell, and their grandchildren Raven, Kortney, Harmony, Kaleb, and Elijah; daughter Dr. Tamu Green and her sons Miles Mitchell and Joseph Nolfo; daughter Dona Hodges and her husband Barry Hodges, and their sons Austin Hodges and Trenton Hodges; and daughter Erica Hill, and her children Equaja Baker, Joell Baker, Elaya Baker, and Jaythan Baker. Also left to cherish his memory is brother Burtrice Mujanna Parrish and a host of nieces and nephews.
A public memorial service for Dr. Muhammed has been set for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 9586 Sunflower Road, Wilton. The program portion of the celebration is from 1:30-3. Attendees are invited to recite poetry, drum, sing, and dance.