Established in 2017 by artist Freeman Word, the Zakatu Madrasa is a developing cooperatively owned spiritual subscription bookstore and private library in St. Louis. Referring to historical African educational institutions, the Madrasa seeks to bring together artists, educators, activists and young people of color to co-create art addressing regional social issues. The goal of the Madrasa is to create a balance of art, economics, spirituality, and non-Eurocentric education for community empowerment.

The Zakatu Madrasa is headed by the founder, Freeman Word, and strengthened by a group of deans, each of whom makes a sacred oath to uphold the principles of the Madrasa in accordance with their growing understanding of the truth.

NGUZO SABA (seven principles)

Umoja (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

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