A controversial religious movement founded as an offshoot of the Nation of Islam, known for its forced labor practices and unconventional beliefs.
The United Nation of Islam (UNOI), now known as the Value Creators, is a religious movement that emerged in the United States in 1978 as an offshoot of the Nation of Islam (NOI). Founded by Royall Jenkins, the group has been a subject of controversy due to its unconventional beliefs, practices, and legal challenges.
Origins
Royall Jenkins, born in 1942 in South Carolina, spent his early years in eastern Maryland before relocating to New York and Chicago. He worked as a long-distance truck driver, delivering publications for the Nation of Islam. Following the death of Elijah Muhammad, Jenkins parted ways with the NOI in 1978. He claimed that he was taken aboard a spaceship by angels who revealed to him that he was the Supreme Being and imparted knowledge on how to govern the world. This profound experience led Jenkins to establish the UNOI, positioning himself as “Royall, Allah in Person.”
Key Figures
Royall Jenkins remained the central figure of the UNOI until his death in September 2021 due to complications from COVID-19. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its reach and influence. Other notable members included high-ranking officials and Jenkins’ spouses, who played significant roles in the group’s operations and teachings.
Beliefs and Practices
The UNOI’s doctrines are rooted in the teachings of the NOI but have been extensively modified by Jenkins. While acknowledging that Allah manifested in the person of Wallace Fard Muhammad, the NOI’s founder, Jenkins asserted that he himself was a more powerful embodiment of Allah, tasked with perfecting all creation. He emphasized the supremacy of black men as the original humans and propagated the belief that white individuals were the result of a scientific experiment by a figure named Yakub 6,000 years ago—a concept also present in NOI teachings. Jenkins further claimed that black men created black women for pleasure, deeming women as inferior and warning that following female guidance leads to damnation. He criticized black women who sought legal recourse for child support or alimony, viewing them as collaborators with white men, whom he considered adversaries. Additionally, Jenkins was critical of Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the NOI, accusing him of misleading followers and employing deceptive tactics.
Operationally, UNOI members worked without monetary compensation in various businesses owned by the organization. These enterprises included restaurants, bakeries, a gas station, a sewing factory, a medical facility named “Your Colonic Center,” and a construction company. The group claimed to provide for all the needs of its full-time volunteers. By the early 2000s, the UNOI had approximately 200 full-time members in Kansas City and an additional 300 part-time members across other cities. The organization also produced call-in television and radio programs nationwide, featuring Jenkins and promoting their teachings.
Controversies
The UNOI has faced significant legal challenges and public scrutiny over the years. In 2018, Kendra Ross, a former member, was awarded nearly $8 million in a human trafficking lawsuit against the group. Ross alleged that from the age of 11, she was forced to work without pay in various UNOI businesses and was subjected to physical and emotional abuse. The court found in her favor, leading to increased attention on the organization’s practices.
Further legal troubles emerged in 2024 when six high-ranking members of the group were convicted of conspiracy to commit forced labor. The defendants were found guilty of compelling minors, some as young as eight, to work in UNOI-owned businesses under threat of punishment and without compensation. The children were housed in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions and were told they would face “eternal hellfire” if they attempted to leave. These revelations led to widespread condemnation and highlighted systemic abuses within the organization.
Long-Term Impact
The legacy of the UNOI, or the Value Creators, is marred by allegations of abuse, forced labor, and legal battles. While the group initially garnered attention for its community development efforts, such as revitalizing areas along Quindaro Boulevard in Kansas City, these contributions have been overshadowed by reports of exploitation and misconduct. The legal actions against the organization’s leaders underscore the challenges of addressing abuses within insular religious groups and highlight the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals.
image via OpIndia
