Hakim Farrakhan

With grateful hearts and cherished memories, we celebrate the exquisite life of HAKIM RASHEED FARRAKHAN, who transitioned peacefully with his family on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Baltimore, Maryland, at the age of 70. Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in a life filled with love, laughter, purpose, and lasting impact. Hakim was born on July 1, 1955, in Wilmington, Delaware, to John Wesley Saunders, III and Alexina Loat Saunders. One of five children, he entered the world with a radiant spirit that would go on to light up every room he entered. Hakim was fun-loving, yet deeply thoughtful, intentional in his actions, generous in heart and known for “going big” in everything he did and touched. His greatest legacy lives on in his children and grandchildren, who carry forward his spirit of initiative and determination. Hakim was an avid student of academics, and it all started when he graduated from Dover High School in Dover, Delaware. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. He then attended Howard University in Washington, DC where he earned his Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Change. Hakim was extremely passionate about education and was a life-long learner of not only academics, but also in life as he traveled the world, held several unique career roles and maintained successful real estate businesses. Hakim pursued a diverse and enriching career path marked by vision and determination. He began his professional journey in modeling before transitioning into banking, and later, healthcare administration. His healthcare career included service at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, where he served as Assistant Vice President and Director of Ambulatory Care. He later served the City of Baltimore as Deputy Commissioner of Health for the Baltimore City Health Department. Following his post as the Deputy Commissioner, Hakim served as the Chief Operating Officer at Bon Secours Health System in Baltimore for several years. In each role, Hakim was more than accomplished - he was compassionate, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to making a meaningful difference. Guided by the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Hakim pursued entrepreneurship through real estate ownership, building a successful business, with properties across Delaware, Maryland, and North Carolina. Through his discipline, and vision, he established a legacy of self-sufficiency and generational wealth for his family. He also taught property management and entrepreneurship classes to the community. Above all else, Hakim treasured family and friendship. He believed in showing up in a big and lasting way - generous, joyful, loving, and intentional. On October 19, 1997, he married the love of his life, Dana Farrakhan. Together they built nearly three decades of partnership rooted in faith, friendship, and shared purpose. They found joy in raising their family, traveling the world, and serving the Baltimore community. Hakim found joy in life’s meaningful pleasures. He loved fishing in the waters of Delaware and Maryland, proudly reeling in rockfish, croakers, and flounder alongside family and friends. A passionate home chef, he delighted in sharing recipes and taste-testing new creations with loved ones. Hakim also cherished skiing, traveling the world, especially to the continent of Africa where he had many adventures and often recruited family and friends to experience its beauty as well. Over the years, his travel trips included, but were not limited to: Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Canada, London and Germany. He was also able to share his passion of travel with his children and grandchildren as he was blessed to take them to Senegal. He also loved the arts and supported local artists and collected unique and rare pieces of African artwork. An avid learner and student of world affairs, Hakim was often sought out for counsel by family and friends. He was deeply grounded in his faith and instilled in his family a love for Islam and its principles. Hakim leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love and family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dr. Dana Farrakhan; his loving mother, Alexina L. Saunders; his mother-in-law, Barbara Hansley; his children, Dr. Karriem Farrakhan (and his wife, Dr. Tecoya Farrakhan), Amir Farrakhan, Syeed Farrakhan, and Kalila Farrakhan (and her husband, Romel Farrakhan); his cherished grandchildren, Nasir and Niya Farrakhan; and cherished as a son, Michael Brown. He also leaves his dear sister, Jenett Watson; his brother, Ringgold Raul Saunders; his brother-in-law, George Showell; his aunt, Mary Wakefield and his uncle, Junius Saunders; his beloved nieces and nephews, Tammy McCoy, Abdul Maalik Jackson, Jonathan Watson, Jason Watson, Clifford Still, and John Parker: and a host of cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews whose lives were enriched by his presence. He is lovingly remembered by a wide circle of friends and colleagues. Hakim was preceded in death by his father, John Wesley Saunders, III, his beloved sisters, Doris Wayman and Caroline Showell, and his brother-in-law, Oscar Watson, Jr. Hakim’s life was defined not only by what he accomplished, but by how deeply he loved, how boldly he lived, how he delighted in making others smile, and how intentionally he gave. His legacy of faith, generosity, love, leadership, and unwavering devotion to family will continue to shine through all who were blessed to know him.

Tributes

Hakim Farrakhan

July 1, 1955 - February 7, 2026