orderofkush.org Homepage

Who and when organized: The Order of Kush was founded and incorporated as a
not-for-profit corporation by Earl Smith, his daughter Lisa Smith, and legendary
singer-turned politician Jerry Butler on January 5, 2005. The organization applied for
501(c)(3) tax exempt status a month later.

Mission: Our mission, as stated on our main page is, “to promote and advocate changing
the perception of Africa and Africans from stereotyped downtrodden, dependent people to
that of people who are enterprising and independent. The mission will be accomplished by
promoting integrity, professionalism, and high scholastic achievements and goals among
our members. Further, the mission will be accomplished by promoting the study of African
cultures and languages, as well as researching and bringing to light the achievements of
people of African descent, both past and present; and by adding to the community of
scholars studying ancient Africa. Our primary purpose and mission is to assist in the
development of the world's best scholars and educators.”

Headquarters: 559 W. Diversey Parkway, Suite 315, Chicago, IL 60614, Tel. (773)
572-4632.

Web sites: Main: www.orderofkush.org and www.mandolin-house.org.

Media contacts: Earl Smith (773) 572-4632, email: info@orderofkush.org. Brenda Brent
(773) 572-4632. email: bbrent@orderofkush.org.

Name: Our name is taken from the ancient African empire of Kush, which was a neighbor
and rival of Egypt. Often confused with Nubia and Ethiopia, Kush is located in present-day
Sudan, near Khartoum. Known as the “Land of the Bow” because of its fierce and deadly
bowmen who consistently hired themselves out as mercenaries, Kush also was known for
its abundance of gold. Kush is often mentioned in the Bible, and Kushite pharaohs, who
came to power in 712 B.C.E. as the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt, strongly supported the
weakened nation of Israel following the reigns of King David, his son Solomon, and their
successors.

Logo: Our logo depicts the god Dhuty, or Thoth, holding the ankh, the symbol of life, in his
hands. Thoth, generally depicted with the head of an ibis, was the god of wisdom and
writing in the Egyptian pantheon. Thoth also was depicted as a baboon, an animal that was
held sacred among the ancient Egyptians. The ibis is still plentiful in the Sudan.

Key personnel:

Earl Smith, who holds a B.A. degree in Journalism from Columbia College (Chicago), a
M.A. in Media Communications from Governors State University, and a M.A. in History from
Chicago State University. Now retired, Earl formerly was a newsman at the Associated
Press; assistant editor, Jet magazine; and copy editor, Chicago Defender. An avid traveler,
Earl was editor and publisher of Today’s Traveler magazine. He authored the book “Only
the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor,” which chronicled the life and times of
Jerry Butler. The book was published by Indiana University Press in October 2000. Earl is
chairman of the board.

Jerry Butler, who also holds a master’s degree (in Political Science) from Governors
State University, is best known as a singer-songwriter and performer, appearing on such
programs as the Ed Sullivan Show, Johnny Carson, Joey Bishop, and others. In 1973, he
was voted the “Best R&B artist” in Britain. Artists such as Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Dusty
Springfield, Aretha Franklin, and Curtis Mayfield have recorded songs written by Jerry.
Jerry now works as one of 17 commissioners on the Cook County Board of
Commissioners, responsible for more than 5 million taxpayers in northeastern Illinois.
Jerry, originally on the Board of Directors of the Order of Kush, resigned from the Board in
August, after it was determined that his position might be construed as a conflict of
interest. He now is a member of the Board of Advisors, which has no voting power.

Shomarka Omar Yahya Keita holds a M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine,
a M.Sc. in Biological Anthropology and a D. Phil in Biological Anthropology from Oxford
Univeristy, England. He currently resides in Washington, D.C. He has worked as a Staff
Physician at Constant Care Community Health Center and the Indian Health Service in
Eagle Butte, S. Dakota. Shomarka is a member of the American Anthropological
Association, the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, and The Royal African
Society. In 1992, he served as a consultant on the Extended Team to rebuild the African
Hall of the Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute. Among his awards: Ford
Foundation Fellowship to study at the American University in Cairo, Egypt; an Upjohn
Award for Research, Howard University College of Medicine; and the Overseas Research
Student Award from the Vice Chancellors and Principals of Colleges and Universities in the
United Kingdom. Shomarka is a director on the Board.

Henry Kofi Bosompem, of Accra, Ghana, is a journalism graduate of the University of
Ghana and heads the only chapter of the Order of Kush outside the United States. He
formerly was a youth educational instructor at Otoase l/A Junior Secodary School, where
he also organized guidance and counseling for children with emotional and behavioral
difficulties. He also was a research and client service executive for Media Vision. Henry is a
member of the Board of Directors.

Lisa Smith, who earned a B.A. degree in French from Middlebury College, Vermont, and a
M.A. in Development from the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies
(SOAS), currently works and resides in Atlanta, GA., where she is a Program Officer in the
Emergency and Humanitarian Assistance Unit, CARE USA. Lisa, who speaks French and
Spanish fluently, travels extensively in Africa. She once served as an interpreter for
Haitian refugees seeking asylum in the U.S. Lisa is a member of the Board of Directors.

Greg Walker (aka Brother G) is a Chicago-based journalist, poet, historian and author.
While working part-time for the Associated Press, Brother G spent 10 years researching
the African Legends series, eventually writing "Shades of Memnon I, II and III" based on
the legendary hero Memnon. Amazon.com said of the series, "Finally an accurate portrayal
of the many cultures represented in ancient history." Brother G., graduate of Columbia
College, is a member of the Board of Directors.

Henry Cheatham, who holds a B.A. degree in Radio and Television from Columbia
College and a M.A. in Mass Communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago, is a
producer, director, writer and cameraman for WSNS TV Chicago. Henry has produced
independent public affairs television programs for Public Access television channels, and
teaches Continuing Education courses at the Richard J. Daley City College in Chicago.
Henry is Vice President of the Order of Kush and a member of the Board of Directors.