Meet Taaqiy Grant | Founder & CEO of the HAPI Movement

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taaqiy Grant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taaqiy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I wanted to make a film that not only had the ability to captivate but to also motivate and inspire. The social impact component is key and crucial when it comes fostering change. There’s a term we use with the HAPI Film and that is “it’s not just a film it’s a movement.” As filmmakers I feel we have a responsibility to bring about change through our creative lens. This holds particularly true for Documentary filmmakers. The reality is those that control the images control the self esteem, self respect and development of people.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Great questions! My career as a filmmaker developed during my many trips abroad, particularly to Egypt. Before there was HAPI there was Akhet Tours Inc. which is a company I founded in 1999. Akhet Tours specializes in Study Tours to Egypt. Following my first trio to the Nile Valley I saw a need to share this information with people thus Akhet Tours was founded. I was amazed by the number of travelers to Egypt and impact Egyptology has on people. I must also mention how the travel business has contributed to my career as a filmmaker and the importance to this speaks directly to the HAPI Movement. Throughout the years of traveling I’ve amassed a considerable catalogue of videos and photographs, which became the genesis for my earlier films, NUBIA and The Tekhen. These films set the stage and are the visual foundation of the HAPI Movement. The beginning was certainly not easy I did not know much about the Travel business nor did I know I a lot about Egyptology, but I was determined on both fronts to be successful so I carried on. I overcame those challenges by seeking the assistance or mentors, reading more and traveling to region alone to garner a good sense of how things functioned. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned thus far is, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are so many people out here who are willing to offer advice and guidance. Please utilize your recourses effectively.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Mercedes Benz arena Philips arena
Milk and Honey restaurant
The Fish market restaurant
Phipps Plaza

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Wow! This is such a great question, where do I begin. Firstly, and most foremost the credit must be given to the Creative forces of the Universe. Secondly, I’d like to acknowledge the help, support and guidance our several people who are now Ancestors. There’s one such individual by the name of John Branch who was the founder and Executive Director of the Afrikan Poetry Theater in Queens, NY. This cultural institution was key to my development as a young man. There was also the book that I describe as “my turning point read” and that’s the Destruction of Black Civilization written by Chancellor Williams. Lastly, I’ve also been so very fortunate to have parents that were supportive as well as a long list of Elders who are also tremendously supportive. The list includes individuals such as: Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Prof James Small. Mfundishi, Anthony Browder, Camille Yarbrough, Dr. Rosalind Jeffries and Dr. Wade Nobles. Lastly, I must mention those people who were/are essential in helping execute the creative vision: Robert Gay (Tehuti Films), Felicia Harden, Michael Drake and Veronica Keitt.

Website: www.hapifilm.com

Instagram: HAPIFilm

Twitter: HAPIFilm

Facebook: HAPIFilm

Youtube: HAPIFilm

Other: Meet and Greet!!!!! HAPI is hosting a live Screening of the film, Networking event and a Panel Discussion on Saturday December 11, 2021 @ 6:30pm at the Riverside EpiCenter located at 135 Riverside Parkway Austell, Atlanta Georgia 30168.

Image Credits
Robert Gay Felicia Harden Dr. Leonard Jeffries James Small Johanna Rosario Michael Drake Veronica Keitt