Balozi was a friend and fellow-soldier, a worthy victor and veteran of our struggle, a builder, elder brother and believer in the Good. He was and remains a strong pillar within the pan-Africanist and diplomatic community. His name Balozi which means ambassador and statesman in Swahili, is both a definition of his work and a definitive statement of his worth in the world. It is in this defining name, Balozi, that he did so much of his work and built a lasting legacy in a life well-lived.

            We had met in 1967 when he came to Los Angeles to celebrate Kwanzaa with Us. He would thereafter become one of Kwanzaa's major advocates on both a national and international level. But it was in the summer of '68 that we received an opportunity for extended exchange and working together to build a base of Black political power in Newark. The Black Power Conference of 1967 had given me the charge to "convene a national constitutional convention for a national Black party." However, Us decided to delay calling the national convention and to first test the possibility of political power in a critical city. Thus, we went to Newark to help organize the campaign. I had proposed the theme of the campaign "Peace and Power", using the symbol of an ancient Egyptian ankh imposed on the Black Power first.

            This campaign eventually led to the election of Ken Gibson, the first Black mayor of Newark and strong Black representation on the City Council. Balozi had been one of the triumvirate of leaders of this campaign whom I worked with and trained in political organizing, self-presentation and Kawaida philosophy. The other two were Amiri Baraka, whom I appointed Imamu (priest-teacher), and Mfundishi Maasi, security expert and co-chair with Balozi of the Black Community Development and Defense Organization. Many of the activists and politicians from this campaign were at Balozi's Legacy/Retirement Dinner, September 13, 2007, to honor him, reminisce and renew ties, including former Mayor Gibson. But a member missing who had been so active in the campaign was Councilman Donald Tucker who had passed recently and to whom we gave due honor. 

            Speaking at his Legacy Retirement Dinner with people throughout the world from various areas of life attending, I noted how his work reflected his commitment to and practice of the Nguzo Saba, The Seven Principles, which he taught and practiced so long. And it is only appropriate that in remembering and honoring him, I speak of his life and work using the Nguzo Saba as a fitting framework. These principles derived from my philosophy, Kawaida, and which are the hub and hinge on which the pan-African holiday, Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture, turns are: Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-Determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity); and Imani (Faith).

Indeed, his life and work first of all was a reflection of and commitment to Umoja (Unity), which was expressed not only in the pan-African reach and relevance of his work, but also in his beautiful, loving and life-enhancing relationship with his wife and friend, Judge Karimu F. Hill-Harvey. Balozi's life and work also reflect Kujichagulia (Self-determination) in his studying and grounding himself in Kawaida philosophy and African culture, teaching Afrocentric views and values to African youth and others, traveling regularly to Africa and upholding and demonstrating the richness and awesome responsibility of being African in the world. Balozi's practice of Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), as a Muslim, enhanced his commitment to take seriously the Qur'an's and Min. Malcolm's teaching that being a Muslim is not simply a matter of turning east or west, but of keeping the faith, being righteous in relationships and doing good works with and for others in the world.

            Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) committed Balozi to the African principle of shared work and shared wealth and he built local, national and international relationships and structures to facilitate this process and practice. Likewise, Balozi was surely one who was committed to Nia (Purpose) and worked diligently to return African people to their traditional greatness, to strengthen both persons and peoples, and aid in a developmental process that truly involves and uplifts the people. Likewise, in practice of Kuumba (Creativity), he, as the text says, dared to do all he could in the way he could in order to leave our community and the world more beautiful and beneficial than he and we inherited it. And all his work was rooted in Imani (Faith), a faith that turns belief into good works, profession of religion into righteous acts and prayers into a practice that honors the Divine, liberates the people, and opens the path to a good life in this world and the next.

            Surely, as it is written in the sacred Husia, he shall remain for us "a glorious spirit in heaven and a continuing powerful presence on earth. He shall be counted and honored among the ancestors. His name shall endure as a monument and what has done on earth shall never perish or pass away." Hotep. Ase. Heri.