Rashid Carrell Murphy

Rashid Carrell Murphy 62 (Rashid Soundiata) was born December 22 1962 at Magee Womens Hospital.Pittsburgh Pa. The first and only child of Thelma and Carl Murphy. At the age of 7, He and his parents moved from Pittsburgh's Homewood Community while he was enrolled in Baxter elementary school, to Duquesne Pa, where he completed his elementary through high school years of education in the Duquesne City School District. His father Carl was employed as a US Postal worker and his mother Thelma was employed in the now University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's health care system(UPMC). Rashid's long awaited birth was considered a huge blessing for his parents and his life would prove to be a huge blessing for his people and the community at large. Following in his mother and father's foot steps,both who were involved in and supporters of the 1960's civil rights revolution. Rashid was led to find his mission of becoming a Teacher of Black History early in life. Upon his graduation from Duquesne High School in 1979 he would go on to earn a bacheor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a masters degree from Ohio State University, and later enroll in Dr. Molefi Asante's PHD program at Temple University's African American History studies program. This education would serve him well in a life of involvement sacrifice and advocacy in serving The African American Community and humanity at large.
The People's Professor
After his acquiring a solid education He proceeded immediately to put that education to work where he resided.. As a member of Pitt University's Black Action Society he teamed up with fellow members to bring to the campus where he graduated from,some of the top leaders and lecturers on African American issues in the country. This included the likes of honorable minister Louis Farakhan, Bobby Seale, QuameTure and many other key figures. He would also later team up with with fellow comrades and activists including; Rich Adams Khalid Raheem, Larry Hasan, Karen Adams Lorraine Badgett and Randall Taylor in founding a new coalition of organizations in the Pittsburgh area called The African American United Front AAUF,(1990) dedicated to confronting the huge socio-economic disparities in the African American Communities in Western Pennsylvania. This included addressing the rapidly advancing crack cocaine epidemic that was beginning to shatter and disrupt Black Communities in the Pittsburgh area and nationwide. Rashid's advocacy also included and extended to supporting South Africa's revolutionary movement to win their protracted strugle against apartheid and free it's legendary leader Nelson Mandela. In 1995 Rashid joined and became a strong advocate for The National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (NCOBRA) only 6 years after congressman John Conyers had signed the Reparations Bill into reality in 1989. All of the above being only a few of the many efforts that he contributed his advocacy and scholarly work to ' in his overall efforts to help support the quest for freedom justice and equality among oppressed peoples in the USA and the world.
It was following the above advocacy and community involvement that Rashid landed his dream position of becoming a professor and teacher of African American History. His employment with the Community College of Allegheny College (CCAC) in 1991 would come 12 years after his graduating from Duquesne High School. in 1975. Rashid was now hired to teach a course in Black History at its North side and Homewood Campuses. CCAC had found a new staff member who fit the description of one being a gentleman and a scholar to a Tee, as Rashid a courteous kind respectful and very knowlegeble person would go on to teach hundreds of students on the value of Black History. The students of Allegheny County now had a new teacher who could instruct Black History courses in a way that they ccould relate to and understand, and the African American community had a resource that would be a pillar of knowledge in their communities to carry and support a new generation.
His Favorite Things
In addition to his passion for teaching Black /African American History Rashid had a strong liking for Politics Sports, and Music, Areas that he could delve into with enthused interest and detail with almost any person. His political analysis including the sayings and writings of Malcolm X, has been highly respected by all who want to tie together the puzzling pieces of today's political picture. Rashid's knowledge of sports had won him a spot on the popular Eddie Jeffries Sport Show. His extensive music collection consisted of works by his favorite artists including Phyllis Hyman, Stevie Wonder, and Gil Scott Herron. He also enjoyed taking long trips with his father Carl to visit his sister in Baltimore Maryland.and taking bike rides on the Duquesne-Homestead Bike Trail. Above all what Rashid loved most of all was Taking care of, serving and loving his parents Carl and Thelma Murphy.
Farewell our dear brother Rashid Murphy Soundiata you have passed on, you have touched and educated many and we will never let you be forgotten. May God rest your soul in PEACE
Rashid was proceded in death by his Mother Thelma Irene Murphy. He leaves behind to cherish his memories his father Carl Murphy of Pittsburgh Pa. sister Kim Jackson of Baltimore and a host of relatives and many friends.
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