Salima Suswell
Founder and President
Salima Suswell is the Founder & President of Halal Resource Group, Inc. (HRG). Salima founded HRG to serve the growing needs of those who adhere to the Halal lifestyle. In addition to supplying Halal food and products, HRG provides expert consulting to support businesses and organizations seeking to engage with and accommodate Muslim Americans. Salima has consulted with prominent institutions on projects pertaining to Muslim Americans, including the Please Touch Museum, Visit Philadelphia, and AmeriHealth Caritas.
Salima also serves as President & CEO of Evolve Solutions, a government affairs and community engagement consulting firm founded in 2010. Salima founded Evolve Solutions to address racial and socio-economic disparities in urban communities. Evolve Solutions is an award-winning company that provides grassroots political and policy development, aimed at positively impacting community engagement outcomes.
in 2017 Salima made history as the first Muslim woman appointed to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women by Governor Tom Wolf. In 2020, Salima was appointed by Mayor Jim Kenney to the Mayor’s Commission for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs. In 2023, Salima was reappointed to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Salima has received distinguished honors and awards from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pennsylvania State Senate, Philadelphia City Council, Women-UP Organization, City and State Magazine, Muslim Youth Association, Philadelphia Public Record, Philly Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Faatimah Gamble Legacy Award. In November 2019, Salima was honored by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a Diversity and Inclusion Pioneer. Salima was named as a “Faith Leader to Watch in 2022” by the Center for American Progress. In 2023, Salima was presented with the “Keeper of the Flame Award” by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and with the Impact Award by City & State Pennsylvania.
Mu'min Islam, Esq.
General Counsel
Mu’min Islam has more than 15 years in the practice of law within the areas of Corporate Law, Public Finance, Personal Injury, Labor Law, Civil Rights, and Employment Law. Mu’min is currently in private practice but spent the previous two years as an Assistant City Attorney for a municipality in Georgia. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mu’min received recognition from the Super Lawyers as a Rising Star from 2017 through 2021.
Prior to relocating to Georgia, Mu’min served as General Counsel to the largest minority developer and charter school operator in Philadelphia. In addition to his legal expertise, Mu’min was an adjunct professor at Temple University’s Fox School of Business & Management where he taught Law and Society, an introductory law class to undergraduate students, for over ten years. He holds a B.B.A. and an E.M.B.A. from Temple University’s Fox School of Business Management, a J.D. from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, and an L.L.M. from Georgetown University’s Law Center in Securities and Finance.
Mu’min is a father of six children and is often seen across Georgia traveling with his children’s youth sporting teams. Mu’min is an avid Eagles fan and proudly witnessed the Eagles win their first Super Bowl in Minneapolis in February 2018. Mu’min has also been a certified NFLPA Agent since October 2023.
Laila Abdus-Shakur
Senior Project Manager
Laila Abdus-Shakir serves as Project Manager for Halal Resource Group, Inc. (HRG). In this role, she oversees client projects and contracts, manages diverse teams to expertly execute multifaceted projects, directs day-to-day administration of projects from inception to fulfillment, and manages third-party vendor relationships. Laila also serves as Senior Associate and Chief Operating Officer for Evolve Solutions.
Laila is a seasoned professional specializing in government affairs, project management, community engagement, and event coordination. With over a decade of experience in government relations, she has spearheaded numerous successful initiatives bridging the gap between public policy and community needs. As a government affairs specialist, Laila has worked closely with elected officials to advocate for social justice and economic development policies. Laila’s passion for community engagement has driven her to organize and facilitate numerous outreach events, workshops, and town hall meetings, fostering dialogue and collaboration among residents, businesses, and local government entities. Her detail-oriented, logistical approach alongside her deep understanding of strategic messaging and branding has earned her a reputation for excellence in event management across various sectors.
With her diverse skill set and unwavering commitment to driving positive change, Laila continues to make impactful contributions to her field and the communities she serves.
Kimya Williams
Program Director
Kimya Williams is the Program Director for the Halal Resource Group (HRG). Kimya studied Business Administration and Legal Studies at Penn State University. She has extensive experience in a diverse array of fields, including healthcare administration, finance, and law, as well as over 10 years in corporate training. She has been a managing member of a project management firm since 2000 and is the Founder and Program Director of a nonprofit that supports the underserved youth and elderly in the Philadelphia area. She is a well-known organizer with particular expertise in senior law advocacy, community leadership training, and hosting annual city-wide collaborative business networking events.
