Our Mission Statement:

We use art and culture to revitalize community vision and pride and to increase community safety with programs designed to encourage excellence among young people.

Our Budding Subsidiary

The PHILLIP Muhammad Courage and Leadership Foundation:

The mission of the PM Leadership Project is to increase community safety with programs designed to encourage excellence among young people.

Upcoming community service activities and fundraisers*

Become a Sponsor

"Hidden to Crowned"

As part of a collective art display, local actors and musicians will perform "Hidden to Crowned" on April 19th. The musicians and actors will partially choreograph the display and will give the audience a glimpse into the book's plot.

One of the overarching themes in the book, Hidden Princess, is violence and abuse prevention and awareness. Viewers will witness valuable lessons; triumph and the crowns being rewarded. This musical rendition of the book "Hidden Princess: The Rebirth of Making Mary" brings out the characters' passion and personal struggles.

This project is a fundraiser, a benefit concert to support the Rising South Literacy School's reading, scholarship, and violence awareness initiatives. We plan to bring a headliner to this event to draw more attention to it.

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"Hidden to Crowned"

Reading and Writing Historical Retreat 2026

The sequel to Hidden Princess: The Rebirth of Making Mary is underway! Readers and aspiring authors who want to escape to the most peaceful and serene environment imaginable will attend the Hidden Princess Sequel Historical Acquisition Retreat with Author Dr. Dedra Muhammad. At the retreat, attendees will enjoy a sneak preview of a sequel chapter; they can choose among various events to attend and places to visit, such as museum tours, historical sites, and parks. Attendees will witness the process of gathering historical information to write a novel. Attendees can participate in our historical documentary about Century, Florida. Stay tuned for more information.

What is the community saying about Rising South Literacy School?

2025 Community Contributions

Birmingham, Alabama Scholarship Boot Camp -January, 2025
Entrepreneurship Boot Camp with NACEE Upward Bound & Math and Science programs -June 2025
Writing Boot Camp with NACEE Upward Bound & Math and Science programs -June 2025
Domestic Violence Awareness Program -Hidden Princess Movie and Book Retreat -September 27, 2025
ALCA Critical Issues Conference "Pathways of Promise for Black Males" October 2-3, 2025

2024 has already been filled with helping students find scholarships

Dr. Muhammad is delighted with the positive feedback from students who attended her scholarship workshops and boot camps in 2023 and 2024. She has recently given presentations to various groups, such as a Girls Scout Troop, Upward Bound students, and students at the Alabama State FCCLA conference. Her curriculum, "My Mom Wants This, but I Want That: High School Guide for Educators, Parents, and Students," includes a workbook. Reviews indicate that students require guidance in planning for their future, and it is essential to provide them with such programs as early as possible.

2024 Highlights

Scholarship Boot Camp with Girl Scout Troop #10776 in Huntsville, Alabama -January 2024
Scholarship Boot Camp with NACEE Upward Bound & Math and Science programs -February 2024
Scholarship 101-102 Class at the Alabama State FCCLA Conference in Montgomery - March 2024
Featured Author at the March Book of the Month, Huntsville-Madison County Library (Sister 2 Sister -Brother to Brother Book Club) event. March 2024
Panelist on the "Education is Wealth" Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama (Sponsored by Kidztable) April 2024
Featured on the RISE Podcast -a discussion about Mental Health - April 2024
Presenter & Panelist at the Youth Honors "Anxiety, Depression, & Suicide Awareness and Prevention" Program (Indian Creek P.B. Church) -June 6, 2024
Organized The Life and Legacy of Brother Phillip Muhammad -Courage Tour. Scholarships totaling $1,500 were distributed to students who demonstrated need and completed essays on violence prevention in marginalized communities -September 21-22, 2024
Awarded two Phillip Muhammad Courage Scholarships: Victoria Bilal -$1,000.00, and Eden Murchison -$500.00 (To be paid at the start of the 2024-2025 School Year) -September 21, 2024

Dr. Muhammad would love to support your program, too!

Sign up to attend a Scholarship Bootcamp

Learn about the Phillip Muhammad Courage Scholarship Program

In 2023, we lost the biggest Rising South Literacy School member, Brother Phillip Muhammad

His contributions will never be forgotten. Brother Phillip focused on young men with former gang affiliations; he helped guide them, mentored them, and advocated for them. Some of the men and women he supported have gone on to become principals, lawyers, and engineers. Others have gained courage from Brother Phil. Because of this, the Rising South Literacy School will launch the Phillip Muhammad Courage Scholarship for students.

2023 Highlights

In 2023, we addressed crimes against the elderly by supporting senior citizens at the Elmhaven Manor.
In 2023, Dr. Muhammad piloted a scholarship boot camp program for grades 8-12 students. Students received small group and individual support at no cost to them.
In 2023, six free Writing workshops were taught online. See the reviews:

Please consider adopting this new 501 (c)3 as one of your favorite fundraisers.

Annual 2022 Project: Chuck D.

Our 2022 Impact:

Mr. Chuck D., front man for Public Enemy came to our community and addressed and planted positive seeds to over 350 middle school through college students about the deadly consequences of poor decision making that leads to gun violence.

3 Points from Mr. Chuck D.

Historical Content: The Rising South Literacy School has been active in the community for over twenty years. Some of the highlights include working with artists like Mr. Chuck D. from Public Enemy #1 and WHODINI under the leadership of the Rapper Jalil. We have brought light to predatory lending practices, crimes against the elderly, date rape, domestic violence, and relationship issues.