Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zakkiyyah Salaam. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Zakkiyyah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

ZS Legacy has a mission that extends beyond business consulting. It’s about restoring hope and dismantling systemic barriers for disadvantaged community businesses. It’s about creating equitable access to opportunities, resources, and transformative experiences that build sustainable, culture-shifting change in marginalized communities.

Zakkiyyah Salaam, founder of ZS Legacy, is not new to this work. Raised in a community affected by generational disadvantage and systemic inequities, she became aware of how language, opportunity, and exposure shape a person’s reality. While her early journey included the same barriers many others faced, she also had access to dialogue, truth-telling parents, and critical thinking. That combination lit a fire within her that would eventually become the foundation of her life’s work.

I always credit my youngest son, because it was through watching him navigate an inequitable system that I started to truly pay attention. But it was when I began stepping into different professional spaces that I realized the true power of access and how so many people are kept out of the rooms that make decisions about their future.

That realization led to the birth of ZS Legacy, a community-centered brand designed to disrupt systems that were never built for or by the people most impacted by them.

Zakkiyyah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those just discovering my work, ZS Legacy isn’t just a brand; it’s a movement, a mindset, and a mission rooted in equity, access, and transformative community impact. My name is Zakkiyyah Salaam, and while I’m known today as a business strategist, trusted community organizer, podcast host, and Doctor of Humanities elect (Class of 2025), as well as an unpublished author, my journey into this work began with something deeply personal: my son. Watching him navigate systems that were not designed to serve him fairly opened my eyes to how disproportionately opportunity is distributed. However, what truly ignited my purpose was realizing that while my story mirrors many from disadvantaged communities, what set me apart was access to different conversations, to resources, and a broader understanding of myself. I come from a divorced family and a community impacted by systemic inequities, yet my parents empowered me with transparency and dialogue. They encouraged critical thinking, personal research, and the confidence to build my theories and challenge norms. Through this, I learned that language is the translation of our reality, and our reality is shaped by the access we have to opportunity and community. That understanding is where the fire behind ZS Legacy was born. ZS Legacy is a community-driven consulting brand that strategically disrupts systems built to oppress and limit marginalized communities. We specialize in supporting small businesses in underserved areas. Providing more than just business advice, we offer a personalized roadmap for growth, sustainability, and access. We believe no two businesses are alike. Our consulting approach is tailored to each client’s unique needs, circumstances, and goals. Whether it’s navigating complex licensing processes, registering a business properly, understanding government compliance, or preparing for funding, we walk alongside our clients step-by-step. The biggest challenge our clients face is access, and that’s the gap we fill. We connect entrepreneurs to tools, training, and funding resources they may not even know exist. Our focus is not only on helping small businesses grow, but also on building economic ecosystems within communities that provide livable wages and long-term sustainability. What makes ZS Legacy different is simple: we don’t just consult, we care. We don’t just speak equity, we design it. Every action we take is intentionally rooted in transformation. I bring decades of experience across community development, education systems, and real-world policy implementation. I also infuse my work with authenticity, cultural competence, and a commitment to challenging the systems that have failed so many. Whether I’m curating Watermelon Wednesday Seeds of Intention to inspire personal growth or hosting Uncomfortable Conversations to shift narratives around shame, the common thread is truth, community, authenticity, and action. One of the achievements I hold closest is being known as a trusted community partner; someone whom individuals, organizations, and neighborhoods turn to for real solutions. Helping first-time entrepreneurs go from an idea to a legitimate, licensed, fundable business is gratifying. But it’s more than business, it’s about empowerment. Watching someone realize they can build something sustainable without draining their finances is powerful. ZS Legacy is proof that with the proper support, opportunity, access, and success are real possibilities for all. If you are a business owner — or dreaming of becoming one — know that you do not have to do it alone. There are systems, provisions, and funding designed for you. When you’re ready to access them, ZS Legacy is here to make sure you can. When you think equity, think ZS Legacy. When you think growth, think ZS Legacy. When you think sustainability, think ZS Legacy. We’re more than consultants, we’re co-creators of your legacy.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

For me, building a reputation wasn’t about having the right connections or the loudest voice in the room; it was about being consistent, intentional, and community-focused from the very beginning. Everything I’ve built, from ZS Legacy to my leadership development work, has been rooted in showing up authentically and producing real results.

First, I’ve always led with authenticity. I don’t pretend to have all the answers or wear a mask to fit into different spaces. Whether I’m speaking to a new entrepreneur or sitting with community leaders, I draw on my lived experience. People can sense when you’re genuine, and that honesty has helped establish trust and credibility.

Second, I focus on impact, not appearances. My goal has never been to merely discuss equity or inclusion; it’s to create actual pathways to opportunity. Whether it’s helping someone register their business for the first time, guiding them through licensing and compliance, or connecting them to funding resources they didn’t even know existed, I’ve built a reputation for delivering, not just promising.

Another thing that’s made a big difference is staying community-rooted. I intentionally serve underestimated entrepreneurs, under-resourced neighborhoods, and those who are often overlooked. That work isn’t always glamorous, but it’s necessary, and people see that. It’s also what fuels the relationships I’ve built over the years. I don’t just show up when there’s a campaign or a cause. I show up consistently, even when there’s no spotlight.

Over time, these relationships have turned into a network of referrals and ongoing partnerships. Clients come to me for guidance, but they stay connected because they know I care about them as people, not just as projects.

Lastly, my reputation has grown because I’ve never lost sight of why I do this work. I’m here to help dismantle systems that were never built for us and to create new ones that reflect our value and our potential. That mission is the heartbeat of ZS Legacy. And it’s what sets me apart.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy I’ve used to grow my clientele has been leading with value, not just visibility. While branding, content, and exposure are important, what has truly sustained and expanded my business, ZS Legacy, is a commitment to solving real problems with care, clarity, and consistency. Most of my clients come through personal referrals. I’ve found that when you genuinely assist someone to transform their business or access resources they didn’t even know were available to them, they don’t just recommend you, they advocate for you. The impact becomes your marketing. Another key to my growth has been meeting people where they are. Instead of relying on traditional outreach, I show up in community spaces, whether it’s a neighborhood event or an informal workshop. I’m intentional about connecting directly with the communities I serve, especially those that often feel overlooked or excluded from mainstream business resources. One thing that really set me apart is my approach of offering solutions before selling services. I listen first. I offer value upfront. Sometimes, that means guiding without a formal agreement, simply to help someone take the next step. That type of service builds trust, and that trust often leads to lasting partnerships. At the core of it all is authenticity. I don’t overcomplicate the process. I keep things simple, transparent, and rooted in purpose. For many entrepreneurs, especially those in underserved communities, the systems are already intimidating. My job is to make those systems feel accessible, doable, and built for them.

ZS Legacy has grown not just because of what I do, but because of how I do it, with integrity, intention, and impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hihello.me/p/e4737878-606a-4228-ad1b-8e60b53c29cd
• Instagram: @ucsalaam
• Facebook: Zakkiyyah Salaam
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mszsalaam
• Youtube: @ucsalaam

Image Credits

Anthony & Tammy Adgers
Sophisticated Snapshotz, LLC.