Stand with Two Clouds Week May 28-June 3, 2023

Peace, everyone!

Beyond Clouds is excited to finally make public Stand with Two Clouds Week!

SWTCW will be an annual event to teach the public about the life and work of Muriyd 'Two Clouds' Williams in an effort to inspire others to walk in his footsteps- especially our youth.

Two Clouds is a great role model for children. Born and raised in urban New Jersey, he was a balance of yang and yin, hard and soft, knowing when to speak up and when to remain silent. He was highly intelligent, courageous, kindhearted, and giving. Education was his passion. He spent hours upon hours learning everything he could, mastering languages, and reclaiming ancestral truths. He pondered life, the one spiritual reality, and constantly praised Creator. Everything he learned he shared with others believing knowledge belongs to all.

Please join us in celebrating this beautiful man who gave so much yet asked for nothing in return. Stay tuned for upcoming events that will take place throughout the week.

Educators, parents, administrators, and clergy:

From May 15-26 we are looking to visit classrooms, homeschool groups, clubs, masjids, and churches to talk to the youth directly. There will be a short PowerPoint presentation, a brainstorm session, and a Show and Tell of cool artifacts belonging to Two Clouds such as the skin of a bear's arm with claws still attached as well as awesome Native crafts made by him and others. Oh! And they will receive a gift to keep as a memento and reminder to stand with Two Clouds in making the world a better place.

If you are interested, please contact Mumtahanah Ansari:

info@beyond-clouds.org

223-488-9439

*Online booking will soon be available.

Water IS Life

Many of us see the hardships being faced by citizens of the world and wish we could do something to help. With so much famine, medical and educational disparities, and destruction from war taking place, it can seem quite overwhelming. In the greater scheme of things, you may feel too small to be able to help - but small actions can bring great change!

The Republic of Mali in West Africa is home to the Niger River, Timbuktu, and the legendary Mansa Musa. The population of more than 19 million in part consists of farmers, artisans, and scholars - as well as many ethnic groups such as the Fulani, Dogon, and Moors. While Mali was once famous for its considerable wealth, today it is quite poor as a region. Of the many challenges faced, access to clean water is a major obstacle, especially for rural communities.

Beyond Clouds is asking that you join us in helping to build a well in Mali. Your donation can help tremendously in the decrease of infectious disease, malnutrition, stunted growth among children, and death. Alone we may not be able to do much, but together we can move mountains!

Any amount will be of great importance and appreciated. Give small if you must, give large if you can.

In addition to supplying a struggling village with life for generations to come, in the Islaamic tradition charity is one of the few things (along with raising a righteous child who prays for you and the giving of knowledge) that continues giving to the giver long after she/he has exited this world- and water is the best charity one can give. Furthermore, charity is something that can be given in the name of a loved one who has departed so they will reap the same benefit. Therefore, this Mali well campaign is being built on behalf of our beloved Muriyd 'Two Clouds' Williams (Niishwak Akumahkwak). Creator willing, it will help our brother in the Spirit World/Akhira forevermore, as well as the actual giver. The further bonus is that Mali is an ancestral home of our dear Two Clouds so it will be also help his people specifically. Please visit and share the link below to donate.

Nia:wen/Shukran/Thank you.

https://piousprojects.org/campaign/1713

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyTGn3Xg3EE

What's Happening: Educational Programs for Ramapough Lenape Students

From its inception, we at Beyond Clouds have maintained that our purpose is to continue and expand the work and mission of Muriyd 'Two Clouds' Williams. As an Afro Native Muslim who is an enrolled member of the Ramapough tribe, and whose fervent love had always been learning, he understood very well the importance of leveling the playing field for tribal youth. For decades Ramapough students have suffered at the hands of a racist school district which has caused many to drop out as early as middle school grades which helped lead to poor economic and social statuses.

Upon relocating to tribal land in Mahwah, NJ it did not take long for Two Clouds to realize something needed to be done in regard to the children's education then set out to do it. First on the agenda was to enroll himself in Ramapo College under the Ramapough scholarship which allowed one student annually to be accepted free of charge. The endowment had not been utilized in years so it was quite difficult to access. Two Clouds received lots of pushback from the school as well as tribal members who believed he was only there to swindle a free education. That was certainly not true. There were other (easier) options to getting a free schooling, but he was determined to reestablish the scholarship for tribal youth and show them that if he could go to college so could they. Thankfully, the son of the man who created the grant believed Two Clouds deserved it, agreed with his thoughts on restoring it for future students, and fought to have him accepted.

Secondly, when Two Clouds learned that a tenured professor was teaching racist and derogatory information about the Ramapough Lenape people, he moved and was successful in having her fired. He was raised to always work to change something that he saw was wrong, and he did so, for the students who would come after him- Native and otherwise.

Only a few people are aware of what Two Clouds was working towards for Ramapough youth. Now that he is no longer here, Beyond Clouds has taken charge in fulfilling his mission. It is with glee that I, his mother and founder and president of the organization, get to inform you that I had a very productive meeting with President Jeb of Ramapo college pertaining to educational and leadership programs I would like to partner with the college to implement. Thankfully, my son has an impeccable reputation and has worked closely with staff as a colleague over that past several years. Thus, Dr. Jeb and her team enthusiastically agreed to work with us. They were ecstatic to know that his mission is continuing through Beyond Clouds.

The following video will go a little more into detail about our first phase. As you will hear, all parents interested in having their children benefit from free tutoring sessions please send your information (your name, student's name, school, grade, subject for tutoring, phone number, and email address) via text, email, or social media:

223-488-9439

info@beyond-clouds.org

Facebook Messenger: Beyond Clouds

YouTube: (not private) @beyondclouds6745

For any high schoolers (11th-12th grades) interested in dual enrollment with Ramapo College, talk with your guidance counselor. Remember, earning credit at Ramapo during high school does not mean you need to apply there upon graduation. Credits are transferable!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGVHnLwCak

Resources from the video with links:

National Congress of American Indian says:

* Education prepares Native youth for active and equal participation in a global market, positive and evolved community members, and equips to become tribal leaders;

* their academic achievement and education attainment lags far behind that of white peers;

* over the past decade they have been the only group that has not improved in reading and mathematics

National Conference of State Legislators says:

* “…the state of Native American students is distressing" and that...

When compared to white peers Native American students are:

* 2 to 3 grades lower in reading in mathematics;

* 237% more likely to drop out of school;

* 207% more likely to be expelled;

* For everyone hundred kindergartners seven will earn a BA compared to 34 whites;

Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute says:

* Native Americans have the lowest education attainment of any ratio ethnic group;

* High school dropout rate is doubles compared to the national average;

* High school graduation rate is 49.3% compared to 76.2% of whites;

* 13. 3% of Native Americans have BAs compared to 25% of the general population