Askia Muhammad Aquil has been an activist, social reformer, religious leader and community builder for all of his adult life. He is the co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Community Housing Solutions, Inc., a private nonprofit company based in St. Petersburg that is currently spearheading an innovative initiative to provide permanent supportive housing for veterans and wounded warriors transitioning into civilian life after completion of their combat tours of duty. He is involved with other initiatives including a broad collaborative effort to end the school drop out crisis in America.
For 11 years Askia served as the president and chief executive officer of St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services, Incorporated (SPNHS). This nonprofit community housing development organization co-administered the multi-million dollar homeownership component of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority’s Jordan Park HOPE VI redevelopment project. Dozens of affordable houses (new construction and acquisition/rehab) were developed, over 500 families became first-time homeowners and thousands of individuals were counseled about budgeting, financial management, the home buying process and foreclosure prevention through his leadership.
Under his administration, SPNHS conducted a research and development project involving the design and construction of a prototype sustainable, energy-efficient, natural disaster-resistant house built out of recycled steel shipping containers. The project was documented by syndicated housing guru Bob Vila. Askia discussed the project on a Brian Williams’ NBC Nightly News feature.
Askia negotiated the operating agreement for SPNHS with Nationsbank/Bank of America Community Development Division that led to the formation of a limited liability company. The company acquired and redeveloped 40 vacant lots and dilapidated houses located within St. Petersburg’s Bartlett Park neighborhood.
Askia is the former Deputy Director of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority and the former manager of the 446-unit Jordan Park public housing complex. He had previously worked as a housing manager for the Tampa Housing Authority.
Askia worked in various positions for a joint venture and a construction management firm on a $90 million expansion of the City of Tampa’s Wastewater Treatment Plant at Hooker’s Point. Those positions included Associate Project Manager, Assistant Office Manager and Safety Program Coordinator.
Aquil was raised as a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg where his family has worshipped for over 60 years. In 1968 he began serious study of the Islamic way of life after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He became a student minister/Imam in 1977. He did volunteer prison ministry work for 12 years, visiting state prisons and halfway houses throughout central Florida. He has led mosques and Islamic centers in Tampa and St. Petersburg. He also served for several years as the Convenor/Chairman for mosques and Islamic centers in six Southern states. His interfaith activities span 35 years, highlighted by his service as Secretary for the Hillsborough Association of Religious Leaders and his service on the Board of Directors of Congregations United for Community Action in St. Petersburg.
Aquil was recognized as the Omega Citizen of the Year by the Eta Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Crime Prevention Citizen of the Year by the West St. Petersburg Exchange Club. He is former Co-Chair of the Maximo Elementary School Student Advisory Committee and is currently Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Opportunity Council Federal Credit Union.
Recognitions and accomplishments:
1968: Cited by Florida Governor Claude Kirk for Outstanding Community Service 1971: Cited by the Tampa Democratic Voters League for Outstanding Community Service 1982: Recognized by Tampa Mayor Bob Martinez for Outstanding Community Service 1987: Served on the Board of Directors of Blacks Against Dangerous Drugs (BADD) in St. Petersburg 1988: Named “Crime Prevention Citizen of the Year” by the West St. Petersburg Exchange Club and the St. Petersburg Police Department 1989: Received National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials award on behalf of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority for innovative program design and creative financing 1995: Elected to the Board of Directors of Congregations United for Community Action (CUCA) 1996: Received the Guardian Member award from the West Central Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America in appreciation of support to the youth of America 1998: Named “Small Business Rookie of the Year” by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce 2000: Elected President of the 22nd Street Redevelopment Corporation, Inc. 2001: Appointed to serve on the City of St. Petersburg Housing Roundtable 2002: Appointed to serve on the national steering committee of the NeighborWorks® Campaign for Homeownership 2003: Appointed to serve on the Neighborhood Housing Services of America Lending Policy Task Force 2004: Served on the Board of Directors of Urban Development Solutions, Inc. (UDS), the nonprofit company that developed the award-winning Tangerine Plaza anchored by Sweetbay Supermarket 2005: Joined the Board of Directors of the National Council for Community and Justice (formerly the National Conference of Christians and Jews) now known as Community Tampa Bay 2006: Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Pinellas Opportunity County Federal Credit Union 2007: Received “Citizen of the Year” award from the Eta Rho chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity 2010: Elected Treasurer by the Board of Directors of Pinellas Opportunity Council Federal Credit Union
Education:
1964 – 1966: St. Petersburg Junior College St. Petersburg, FL 1966 – 1969: University of South Florida Tampa, FL
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