Dr. JaDawn Z. Muhammad

JaDawn Zakiyyah Muhammas shares the same birthday as her dear aunt, Brenda Ward. JaDawn was born on July 8, 1971 to the union of] ames Crayton Muhammad and Curtixine Robertson Muhammad in Milwaukee,_Wisconsin. JaDawn began her education during the founding year of Sister Clara Muhammad Preparatory School. She went on to attend E.L. Phillip Elementary and Roosevelt School of the Arts where she was in the inaugural class for the new arts school where she played piano and flute. After graduating middle school, JaDawn attended Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin. She played flute in the band and orchestra and participated on the cheerleading and track teams. Most notably, she played doubles and singles on Nicolet's varsity tennis team. JaDawn continued her education at UW-Whitewater where she earned her bachelor's degree in Social Work. While at Whitewater she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Most recently, she was a charter member of South Atlantic chapter Alpha Beta Lambda Omega. During her junior year at Whitewater,JaDawn was voted the most well-rounded student by the minority faculty. She also studied abroad for a semester in London, England and visited Spain, France and Ireland during her student exchange experience. JaDawn furthered her education by earning a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from UW- Madison where she met her former husband, Joseph Collins of the Smith Family. JaDawn earned her second Masters of Science in Education from Concordia University and culminated her formal education by completing her Ed.D at Cardinal Stritch University where she was part of the inaugural class of doctoral students. A highlight at Stritch came when she participated in a tour of Italy with other faculty and students. She was also blessed to visit Ghana under the leadership of Kwabena Falson, ASENTU Rites of Passage Institute. JaDawn began her career as a middle school reading specialist for Milwaukee Public Schools and spent a total of twelve years as an adjunct professor. She taught basic adult skills at MATC for one year and speech and communication for eleven years at Concordia University Wisconsin. She spent the remainder of her career in education administration, first as Assistant Director at NESI Milwaukee from 2005-2014, then as Coordinator II - Office of Federal Programs, Dekalb County School District 2014-2022. Although J aD awn worked hard, she played hard, too. While she enjoyed playing tennis, golf emerged as her real passion. She won several tournaments throughout the years. On her dear aunt Cel's birthday, Saturday, July 27, 2019, JaDawn made a coveted hole-in-one. When not on the golf course, you could find her either watching golf on television or talking on the phone about golf. An avid sports fan, you could also find her watching her favorite sports commentator, Stephen A. Smith, or nervously watching the Green Bay Packers or Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, she enjoyed watching the show Big Brother and stayed abreast of the latest fashion and gadgets on various home shopping channels. JaDawn departed this life on December 27,2022 and was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, James and Moneda Crayton; aunts, Lillie Mae Wingo, Doris (Fuzz) Gill, Brenda Ward; and uncle, Dwight Crayton. She also was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Enwood and Luvennia Robertson; aunts, Luvennia Salaam, Verline Harris, Celestine Beauchamp and Juanita Hasan; uncles, Benson Robertson and Rachman Ali. JaDawn enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. She leaves to cherish her memory: father, James Muhammad; mother, Curtixine Muhammad; sister and brother in-law Asia & Patrick Hadley; nephew, Alvin James (A.J.) Hadley; niece, Amira Hadley; paternal aunts, Vickey Wilburn, Sheila (Derrick) Williams and Kathy Crayton; uncle, Charles Ward, Sr. ; maternal aunts, Annette Reynolds, Ayesha Mahmoud; and a host of cousins, friends and loved ones.

Dr. JaDawn Z. Muhammad

July 8, 1971 - December 27, 2022