Leadership
Chairman Omali Yeshitela
Omali Yeshitela is the visionary leader of the Uhuru Movement, who has been fighting for freedom, reparations and liberation for African people everywhere for over 50 years. He has built and leads an organization with numerous self-reliance institutions throughout the U.S. As an author, speaker and brilliant political strategist Yeshitela travels the world to build for African liberation, recently winning the Oxford Union debate.
Ona Zené Yeshitela
Ona Zené Yeshitela is the President of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund and the leader of Black Star Industries. She heads up over 50 economic institutions of the Uhuru Movement, with the understanding that “the political and economic are one,” that without a self-sustaining economic foundation there will be no justice for African people.
Maureen Wagener, Treasurer
"I saw the movement of black people for justice and black power. I began to understand the huge disparities that exist between white people and black people in this country. As a child, the injustice of the two Americas struck me. When I saw the mission, programs, successes and dynamism of APEDF, I knew it was a solution to this divide, and I wanted to be a part of it."
Kitty Reilly
Kitty Reilly is Projects Coordinator of the Black Power Blueprint and APEDF Board Secretary. She is also the Director of the Office of Reparations and Economic Development for the African People’s Solidarity Committee. Ms. Reilly works directly under President Ona Zené Yeshitela to set project timelines, secure contractors and plans and coordinate day-to-day work of the projects.