Support the Abdus-Samad Family After Altadena Fires

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Supporters,

My name is Raniyah and I'm humbly asking for your support to help my mom and family rebuild their lives after the devastating Eaton Canyon fires in Altadena.

In the early 1980s, our parents moved from Philadelphia to Southern California, seeking refuge and community as American Muslims of African descent. They found their sanctuary in Altadena—a vibrant blend of Black culture and natural beauty—where they raised five children and 10 grandchildren, creating a legacy of love, resilience, and community.

Our mom, a dedicated teacher in the Pasadena Unified School District for over 20 years, has inspired countless children to see the world through a creative lens. As an artist, her ceramic designs under Daarina Clay Design can be found throughout local homes and communities. Together with our dad and others, they helped establish Altadena’s first masjid, Masjid Al-Taqwa, which tragically was destroyed in the fires.

The devastation is staggering. Our parents, my sisters, and their children evacuated, while our brothers and brother-in-law stayed behind to protect what little remains. Their efforts structurally saved houses on their block including the house my parents and sisters family lived in, but the toll has been unimaginable.

The fire didn’t just destroy possessions—it took pieces of our family’s legacy, our mom’s art, and Altadena’s Black history. It’s heartbreaking to see the community our parents helped build now at risk of losing its cultural significance, compounded by predatory practices threatening our family’s ability to rebuild and thrive in the city we’ve long called home.

We are reaching out to you—our friends, family, and community—for support. Your generosity will help my family recover, ensuring Altadena’s legacy as a beacon of thriving Black culture endures.

Our parents have always given so much to their community, and now they need your help to rebuild and find peace.

#WeLoveAltadena

#ItsWhereTheSidewalksEnd

Thank you for your generosity and kindness,

The Abdus-Samad Family