Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris, internationally recognized community activist, founder of Avalon Village, and candidate for Mayor of Highland Park, today announced she is officially passing the torch of executive leadership at Avalon Village to her daughters, Kafi Humphrey and Aziza Brent.
The transition allows Mama Shu to focus entirely on her mayoral campaign and her service to the broader city of Highland Park, while ensuring the eco-village she built from the ground up remains in steady, visionary hands.
Mama Shu is currently running for Highland Park mayor against the incumbent, Glenda McDonald who is seeking a second term.
Under the new leadership structure, Kafi Humphrey, who currently serves as CFO & Associate Director, will step into executive operational oversight of Avalon Village.
Aziza Brent, who leads community agricultural and economic initiatives as Director of Farming & Customer Service, will co-lead strategic programming and community outreach. Together, they bring decades of shared lived experience, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to fulfilling the vision of turning “Blight to Beauty®” in Highland Park.
“Avalon Village was born out of love, healing, and a promise to our community,” said Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris. “As I step up to bring that same love, accountability, and bold vision to city hall as mayor, I couldn’t be more proud and confident to hand the reins of Avalon Village to Kafi and Aziza. They have been building this movement alongside me since day one. The torch isn’t just being passed — it will burn brighter than ever.”
“My mother built an oasis where people thought nothing could grow,” said Kafi Humphrey. “Aziza and I are honored to lead Avalon Village into its next phase of growth. We are committed to maintaining the standard of excellence, safety, and empowerment that Mama Shu established, ensuring our programs continue to uplift the youth, elders, and families of Highland Park and beyond.”
Aziza Brent added, “Avalon Village has always been a family mission and a community home. As Mama Shu expands her vision to serve all of Highland Park, Kafi and I are ready to nurture the village, expand our urban farming and sustainability efforts, and keep this sanctuary growing for generations to come.”
The leadership transition takes effect immediately.
Founded after the tragic 2007 hit-and-run loss of Mama Shu’s two-year-old son, Jakobi RA, Avalon Village has transformed multiple blighted lots on Avalon Street into a thriving sustainable village.
The organization transforms vacant, blighted urban spaces into safe, sustainable sanctuaries featuring educational spaces, parks, community gardens, and economic incubators for women entrepreneurs. The village consists of The Homework House (an after-school learning and activity center for neighborhood children), the Goddess Marketplace (an economic development initiative for women entrepreneurs), the Healing House (a center for holistic healing, coming soon), My 3 Sunz Basketball Court and play spaces, Imhotep STEAM Lab, Jakobi RA Park, and other community gathering spaces.
Learn more at theavalonvillage.org.
You can reach Biba at Biba.Adams@MIChronicle.com