Dr. Tasleem Jamila Firdausee is an interdisciplinary scholar, multidisciplinary artist, and holistic health coach whose work explores the intersections of religion, spirituality, art, gender, race, culture, healing, and transnationalism. Her latest work is an interdisciplinary storytelling project utilizing a griot approach, blending narratives, social science, and poetic inquiry to explore the everyday experiences of Black American Sufi women at the intersections of race, gender, religion, class, and spiritual healing.
As a trained scholar of world religions and cultures and a sociologist, Tasleem holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with research focused on Black women and healing, Sufism, Islam in the US, Decolonization, and religion in the African Diaspora. In addition, she completed a master’s degree in Spirituality, Culture, and Health, as well as numerous certifications, including yoga, energy healing therapist, meditation/breathwork, and sound healing. Firdausee serves as the CEO of My Soul Speaks Institute, which is an educational and healing organization that curates courses, international retreats, and national events, drawing on her Islamic, Black Southern roots, and African perspectives. She also curates the Art As Sacred Initiative, a space that highlights the metaphysical dimensions of the artists’ journey. Tasleem is the author of three books: “From Mississippi Clay to African Skies in Search of Sacred Presence (2023), “Black Baptist Muslim Mystic: From the Cosmos (2013), and “The Women’s Guide to Holistic Healing (2017).” Tasleem’s poetry books and stage play, Portals Open, merge her scholarly work with art, highlighting narratives for diverse audiences.
Tasleem is a frequently invited keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, lecturer, and performer, having graced distinguished venues such as The Kennedy Center, Harvard University, Columbia University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Chicago. Her talents have been showcased extensively over two decades across the United States, Africa, Europe, and Canada.
Tasleem is known for her innovative events, such as the “Supreme Love Project” and “I Am a Queen,” which empower women and girls through performance, meditation, dhikr (chanting), visuals, sound baths, and installations. Tasleem created a documentary film, My Journey Home, while traveling to Ghana, West Africa, for the first time in 2013. The film was screened at the Black Arts Cultural Center in West Michigan, coinciding with the release of her first book.
Tasleem is a poet and artist known for commissioned poetry contributions to organizations like The Cancer Society of Chicago and the Peace in Streets Campaign. She has also hosted holistic artist retreats globally. Her achievements span radio hosting, hosting distinguished events nationally, and media features in ABC News, Chicago Tribune, NPR, BBC, and multiple collaborative music, anthology, and film projects. Tasleem is currently working on new projects set for release in 2026.