Oral History Interview with Kecia Escoe on July 23, 2020
Oral history interview with Kecia Escoe conducted by Ayesha Cook on July 23, 2020. Interview written by Dr. Alisa Perkins (Research Director) and Ayesha Cook. Kecia Escoe was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1965 into a predominantly Christian family. Both of Escoe’s parents were also born in Detroit, but trace their familial roots to Georgia and other areas in the southern United States. Escoe converted to Islam in 1987. At that time, she was completing her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fisk University. After graduation, she attended Central Michigan University where she received her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management. In 2002, Escoe opened her own quilting business, Umi’s Comfort, which is centered around creating one-of-a-kind items that tell stories, especially those with connections to African- American history and culture. Escoe’s ingenuity in quilting earned her awards from Motor City Match and NEIdeas, and her quilts have been featured in exhibits by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Halal Metropolis. In addition to running her own business, Escoe is actively involved with the Muslim community. While on the board at the Muslim Center Mosque and Community Center, Escoe founded a drill team to give girls an outlet for physical activity. Aside from her involvement at the Muslim Center, Escoe has also volunteered at Historic Masjid Wali Muhammad,Masjid Al-Haqq, and Al-Ikhlas Training Academy. At these institutions, Escoe has helped with cooking Ramadan meals and providing other services for the community. Escoe also participates in the annual Day of Dignity, where she organizes the provisioning of food, clothing, and blankets to neighbors in need. In the interview, Escoe reflects on the importance of quilting for African Americans over time, highlighting its usage as a messaging device in the Underground Railroad and as an important mode of artistic expressions across generations. Escoe also emphasizes the significant role that her service work in Detroit’s Muslim institutions has played in her life.
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