Karriem was born in Englewood N.J. and raised in Teaneck NJ. He graduated from Teaneck High School in 1989. While attending Teaneck High he was an organizing member of A.C.T.I.O.N. (Africa Culture to Inform Our Nation,) and founding member of A.C.T. (Africa Children of Tomorrow). There he met his future wife Khadija. Upon graduating and entering adulthood, Karriem and Khadija married and began a family.

Prior to high school graduation, Karriem reclaimed the faith community of AI-Islam, He was a founding member of the Admiral Family Circle Islamic Community, He studied Islam as a student and apprentice under the Admiral Family's Leadership of Shaykh Dr. Abdul Latif and Ummi Nur Ali. Karriem archived his Islamic Community leadership title of Imam, In this role he established many of the administrative procedures within the Admiral Family.

Karriem later went on to continue his education at Bergen County Tech where he graduated in the field of Electrical Technology, Karriem at an early age had the desire to help his community, His desires led him down the path towards becoming a Firefighter. On September 23, 2002, Karriem became a Fire Inspector, Two years later on October 5,2004, he was sworn in as a Firefighter. Karriem not only fulfilled his desires to help his community by becoming a firefighter he fulfilled his dream. In his first year, Karriem responded to a structural fire. Inside the structure was on unconscious resident. Karriem assisted in removing the occupant from the structure. For this heroic act of bravery he received an Award of Valor.

Karriem was loving, supportive, and active parent. He was man of character, He was a loyal and kind-hearted friend, He was a devout Muslim and hill faith in Allah (God) allowed him to "Rise Above the Ordinary"