El-Java Abdul-Qadir is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in organizational leadership, program development, and project management, specializing in strategic planning, cultural competence, and organizational performance within both private companies and public agencies. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, where his research focuses on the sociological determinants of entrepreneurial performance among racial, ethnic minority, and immigrant entrepreneurs in the United States.
In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, El-Java is a co-founder of My Dream Summit Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering individuals through entrepreneurship and personal development. He has also served as the director of the South Side Innovation Center, a community engagement project of the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, where he developed and administered programs for entrepreneurs in the Greater Syracuse region. Beyond his professional endeavors, El-Java is a 7th-degree blackbelt in Shotokan karate and a multiple-time world champion kickboxer, reflecting his commitment to discipline and excellence in all areas of his life.
As an adjunct Professor of Practice in the Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises department, El-Java also served as the director of the South Side Innovation Center (SSIC), a business incubator and small business service center in the City of Syracuse, which houses 30 resident clients in its’ 60,000 square foot facility and provides consulting services to another 350 unique small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs per year. The SSIC, a project of the Whitman School of Management also houses the New York State Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP), which has helped over 54 businesses to incorporate, obtain funding, and collectively generate more than $35 million in revenue over the past 4 years. In 2012, El-Java was a recipient of the Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration, given for his commitment to entrepreneurship.