Aaliyah Salaam

Obituary A LIFE OF STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE Aaliyah Salaam’s Life Journey Life began for Aaliyah (Brenda) on March 29, 1940. Aaliyah was born to the union of Dan and Louise Trice, in which both preceded her in death. She was part of the Detroit Public School System and graduated from Northeastern High School in 1956. While in high school, Aaliyah was active in the Democracy Club and Mask & Wig Drama Club. She continued her education by receiving her Associates Degree. Upon graduation, she began her career as a Junior Accountant for the City of Detroit. Aaliyah has always been focused, passionate and determined to do things her way. She never let anything hold her back from her goals and dreams. After high school graduation, Aaliyah’s career continued to evolve when she entered the world of entrepreneurship and opened her first business under the umbrella of Underground. It started as a local bar, then Records & Boutique, and within 3 years it became Underground Menswear, where they served the community for over 40 years. In 1994 became a licensed Realtor and launched her career at Century 21 Today as a Real Estate Executive serving Metropolitan Detroit. In 2014, she joined National Realty Center Northville. She received multiple designations such as GRI-CRS-ABR. Where she continued to excel and make her mark on the industry, having received the Red Star Award in 2018, 2019, and 2023, and the Silver Star in 2021. These awards are bestowed to real estate agents based on number of sales and professional excellence. Throughout her career, she received several awards celebrating her as a Top Performer/Top Producer. Aaliyah was a member of North Oakland County Board of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. Aaliyah served as a mentor. She was also instrumental in launching the careers of several people, including aspiring Realtors. With over 35 years in the business, she LOVED selling homes, making friends and helping people find their dream homes. Once a client and friend, always a friend. Her clients frequently commended her for being a consummate professional who is knowledgeable, straight forward and a shrewd negotiator earning trust and admiration of her many colleagues and clients. Aaliyah went on to be with the Lord on March 17, 2026, after a short illness. From her marriage to Phil Giles, she leaves behind to cherish her memory, Brigette Jackson and Ronna Randolph (fiancée Wali). From her marriage to Hakim Salaam (Clark), she leaves behind Hakim Salaam II (fiancée Michelle). Aaliyah’s youngest son, Malik Clark (Salaam), preceded her in death. She also has a daughter-in-law, Latonia Clark plus an honorary daughter, Kim Jaggers. Aaliyah leaves 10 grandchildren, Nicholas Randolph (fiancée Emma), Khalil Salaam, Jonathan Jackson, Stephanie Randolph, Sean Randolph (Jordan Randolph), Phillip Jackson, Malik Clark II, Caleb Clark, Hakim Salaam III and Justus Clark. She also has a great-grand daughter, Aubrey Sampson to cherish her memory. She will be definitely missed by her sisters and brothers, Phillis Hart, Harold Ranson, Denise Ranson, Michael Ranson and Irene (Shirley) Weeks. Preceding her in death are sisters, Rose Doughton, Delores Jordan plus sisters-in-law Jean Dabney (Jordan) and Dorothy Jordan. Brothers, Charles Jordan, Robert Jordan, Lonnie Jordan, Eddie Jordan and Floyd Jordan also preceded her in death. Aaliyah also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, longtime friends and so many more.