Aquil Basheer, a former Black Panther known as “The Commander,” dedicated his life to ending gang violence and building safer communities in Los Angeles. As founder of the BUILD Program (Brotherhood Unified for Independent Leadership Through Discipline) and the Professional Community Intervention Training Institute,(P.C.I.T.I.) Basheer trained others in conflict resolution, public safety, and emotional intelligence.
Drawing from his own early experiences with gangs and activism, he believed that addressing trauma, poverty, and systemic injustice was essential to breaking cycles of violence. Through decades of work, teaching, and mentorship, Basheer became a visionary leader in community intervention, inspiring generations to seek peace, dignity, and purpose beyond the streets.
Cat Clark Perkins of Catron Academy Learning Institute remembered Basheer not just as a leader, but as a mentor whose influence transformed her own approach to conflict resolution, “He was my mentor,” she said. “I met Aquil through the non-profit Reverence Project located in Watts, through the Community Sentinels program with with Phillip Rock Lester, and Aqeela Sherrills. Without Aqueela, I would have never met Basheer. He had the contract to do the Program, and that’s where I got the Peace in the Hood book. The training I received from the Reverence Project Program was my first introduction to him in 2018. Working with conflict resolution, and peace ambassadors… the whole thing is your mindset. You can’t be about all that foolishness, and being a ticking timebomb. He was all about intervention.”
Author of “Peace in the Hood: Working with Gang Members to End the Violence.” a book that reflects his lifelong commitment to transforming communities from within.
No cause of death was given. A public memorial service will be announced at a later date, according to BUILD officials.
Photos and memorial written by Maggie St.Thomas