Read Dr. Maisha Hazzard's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Dr. Maisha Hazzard

Inglewood, CA, USA

August 27, 1950 - June 18, 2020

Aug 27, 1950 - Jun 18, 2020

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a donation to the Legacy of Dr. Maisha Hazzard.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Photo

Dr. Maisha Hazzard, an innovative educator, behavior change communication specialist, speech writer, counselor, media consultant, actor, director, producer, playwright, singer, artist, and metaphysician, was born on August 28, 1950 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the third and youngest child of Dr. Walter R. and Alexina Sara Ayers Hazzard. She was the loving sister to Mahdi Abdul-Rahman (Walt Hazzard) and Alexina McIver.

Dr. Maisha earned advanced degrees in Communication (Ph.D.); Transpersonal Psychology (Ph.D.); Behavioral Science (M.A.); and Counseling (M.S.C.). Further studies included International Studies, Telecommunications, Comparative Literature, Cross-Cultural Education, Information Science, Neuroscience, and Metaphysics at various universities and institutes in the United States and West Africa. She spent more than 25 years as a university professor and international consultant and more than 25 simultaneous years writing, directing, performing, and producing in performing arts and media arts programs on five continents.

Maisha Hazzard, an award-winning radio producer, trained writers, producers, and media consultants from more than 30 countries. She lectured and/or performed in Canada, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Brazil, France, Hungary, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, and India. Dr. Hazzard served as a consultant to elected officials in the United States and heads of state in countries in the Caribbean, South America, and Southern Africa. She taught at Ohio University, Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, Philander Smith College (Little Rock, AR), California State University-Northridge, University of Guyana, Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, University of the West Indies – Mona, and Polytechnic Institute of the Western Cape-South Africa. Maisha Hazzard conducted training programs for Voice of America, USAID, CARICOM, and the World Health Organization.

Dr. Hazzard was the daughter of a mystical, metaphysical minister (United Methodist) whose Ph.D. from Temple University was in Sacred Theology and Philosophy. From him, she learned both scholarly and mystical approaches to spiritual investigation and practice. She was ordained as a metaphysical minister in Religious Science at City of Angels Church of Religious Science and Emerson Theological Institute; in New Thought-Ancient Wisdom at the Agape International Spiritual Center; and in Metaphysical Ministry by the International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM). She studied world religions and metaphysics at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana; the University of Ibadan in Nigeria; Museu Afro Brasileiro (MAFRO) in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil; the Aquarian Spiritual Center in Los Angeles; and the Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC).

Dr. Maisha served as founding Dean of MECCA—Metaphysical Evolvement Center at City of Angels Church of Religious Science—an affiliate of Emerson Theological Institute. She was the lead Instructor in the School of Ministry there, after the transition of Dr. O.C. Smith. As well, she wrote the curriculum for the School of Ministry at Agape University of Transformational Studies and Leadership. She was a consultant and trainer of trainers for the Universal Foundation for Better Living and the Johnny Colemon Theological Seminary.

Maisha Hazzard conducted workshops in school districts and spiritual communities. Topics included the brain/heart and learning, power of our subconscious mind, emotional intelligence and emotional healing, strategic intuition, spiritual activism, universal spiritual principles beneath the masks of God, Ancient Egyptian Roots of Science of Mind and Spirit, science and spirituality, and living from the Absolute.

She served as Vice President of Strategic Development for Breakaway Technologies which was responsible for creating technology labs across Los Angeles, co-founder of Breakaway Sound that worked with NASA on 3D audio technology used on the space shuttle Mission, and as President and CEO of her own international technology consulting firm, Global Spirit Communications. She Co-founded Onyx Plus Production and Communications company. She served as the Principal Legislative Assistant for Telecommunications and Education for Assemblywoman Gwen Moore, Director of Communications and Research of GeM Communications, and as the Community Representative and Universal Service Task Force for SBC Communications. Her other affiliations are too numerous to list but she was always proud to be part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Dr. Maisha was also a consummate artist. Her classically trained voice, was flexible enough to sing jazz, operas, pop, blues, and nearly any other genre. Her jewelry designs, which she made from healing crystals and gems, were legendary. Her calligraphy was impeccable, her graphic art amazing, and in the kitchen, she was a culinary delight!

For all her numerous talents, skills, gifts, and accomplishments, nothing was as important to Maisha as the love of family. It showed in her dedication to her parents throughout their lives, her banter and the joy she shared with her siblings. Her effort to be at every birthday, family celebration, or sporting event for her siblings, son, and each of her nieces and nephews assured them that they would always be remembered, and cared for, and loved.

Dr. Maisha had a love that exceeded all bounds. During her years in Arkansas, she befriended a brilliant young boy whose biological mother was half a world away. He was eager for someone to fill the void in his life and she stepped in without hesitation. Their relationship became one of mother and son and she adopted Bobby and loved him as her own.
Dr. Maisha gave freely of all she had. She would bare her cupboards to feed a friend. She would empty her account to cover another in need without asking for anything in return, assured that whatever she needed would be supplied. She gave everything she could pour out of her heart to anyone willing to accept the art of her heart. She would love until it hurt; then she would love until the hurting stopped. She believed unequivocally that the love housed in the very essence of the universe was available to heal our wounded spirits and our world. We only need to harness its potential and let it expand our limited perceived realities into the realities of the great I AM.

One of Maisha’s key teachings was around the concept of life and energy. That life does not end, but rather changes form into an energy that exists beyond our “earth suit.” Maisha, whose name literally translates to “Life”, is an on-going force that challenges us daily to love unconditionally, imagine boldly, and dare to be greater than we ever envisioned.

Maisha’s energy is joined with that of both of her parents and her brother. Her on-going legacy is celebrated by her sister, Alexina Hazzard McIver; her son, Bobby Timmons; her sister-in-law, Jalessa Hazzard; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, along with family and friends from around the globe.

Order a beautiful PDF you can print and save or share.

Get the PDF

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.

Please consider a donation to the Legacy of Dr. Maisha Hazzard.

$200.00

of $7,000 goal

2.5 %

Learn more & give