Shaykh Gyasi (Ja-see) Mckinzie was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Memphis, TN. He accepted Islam in 1991 while he was still in high school. He is a graduate from the Islamic University of Madinah, Faculty of Dawah and Usool ul Deen and also holds a Masters degree from Vanderbilt University in Theological Studies.

He has over 20 years of experience providing Islamic leadership to schools and organizations. Besides having served as Imam of the Muslim Society of Memphis and as chaplain at two federal prisons, he has been the Youth Director of the Youth and Dawah Center in Memphis, TN. He has also served as an Islamic Studies teacher and school counselor at Pleasant View School and the Islamic school of Irving respectively.

He currently works as an Associate Manager Of Marketing and Outreach at Helping Hand for Relief and Development, as well as serves as the Director of Education for Embrace.