University of Cosmic Intelligence’s Leader Imprisoned for Child Molestation and Cruelty

In 2020, aspiring rapper and self-proclaimed prophet Rashad Jamal founded an online spiritual movement called the University of Cosmic Intelligence (UCI).

Built almost exclusively through social media, the organization gained thousands of followers by blending Afrocentric spirituality, New Age mysticism, conspiracy theories and alternative interpretations of history. Though supporters describe the movement as a source of spiritual empowerment, journalists, former members, researchers and some law enforcement agencies have described it as an online cult.

Unlike many high-profile cults of the 20th century, UCI has no central compound or physical community. Instead, it functions through livestreams, online courses, private groups and social media platforms, showing how cult-like groups can grow in the digital age.

Jamal, whose legal name is Rashad Jamal White, launched the University of Cosmic Intelligence during the COVID-19 pandemic. His early videos focused on Black identity, empowerment and spirituality before evolving into increasingly erratic claims involving extraterrestrials, hidden knowledge, ancient civilizations and government conspiracies.

Jamal painted himself as a divinely appointed teacher whose mission was to awaken humanity to truths he claimed had been purposefully concealed. Through paid memberships, livestreams, lectures and merchandise, UCI developed into an online movement with followers across the U.S.

Jamal has denied being a cult leader.

The teachings of the University of Cosmic Intelligence combine ideas from multiple traditions. Core themes include the belief that Black and Latino people possess divine or cosmic origins; claims that humanity's true history has been suppressed by governments and mainstream institutions; teachings about extraterrestrial beings, hidden dimensions and spiritual frequencies; the idea that Earth—referred to by followers as "Planet Ki"—is undergoing a major spiritual transformation; and rejection of established scientific, historical and medical facts.

The movement also promotes conspiracy theories, including claims about weather manipulation, anti-vaccination ideas and other beliefs. Many of these claims have been repeatedly debunked by historians and scientific experts.

There is no universally accepted definition of a cult. Instead, scholars tend to look at whether a group shows patterns of excessive control, authoritarian leadership, psychological manipulation and isolating members from outside life.

Critics argue that UCI displays several characteristics commonly associated with high-control groups, including a charismatic leader who claims unique access to spiritual truth; an "us versus them" mentality that portrays outsiders as spiritually bereft; encouragement to distrust family members, educators, journalists, medical professionals and government institutions; and financial incentives through paid teachings, consultations and merchandise.

Experts who study extremism and coercive groups have noted that UCI represents a new type of movement: an internet-based organization capable of influencing followers without requiring them to move to a communal compound.

Through exposure to livestreams, social media algorithms and online communities that promote the same worldview, followers may become increasingly immersed in the group's beliefs. This spread-out structure makes movements like UCI difficult to track and allows them to easily reach worldwide audiences.

Jamal was arrested in Georgia in May 2022 in connection with allegations that he sexually abused the child of a former romantic partner. He was charged with child molestation and cruelty to children. Jamal publicly denied the allegations.

In August 2023, Jamal was convicted of the charges against him and sentenced to 18 years in prison, followed by 22 years of probation.

Jamal continues to maintain his innocence. Despite his incarceration, his online teachings have stayed accessible through his supporters and the group’s archived content, and the University of Cosmic Intelligence still maintains an online presence.

Public attention intensified after several criminal investigations involved people reported to have followed Jamal's teachings.

In Alabama, two women identified as UCI followers—Krystal Pinkins and Yasmine Hider— were convicted in connection with the 2022 killing of college student Adam Simjee during an attempted robbery. Pinkins was convicted in September 2023 of murder, robbery and unlawful use of a firearm during a crime of violence and sentenced to life in prison, while Hider pled guilty in October 2023 to murder, kidnapping and robbery and received 35 years in prison.

Investigators also found Alabama resident Damien Washam had interest in UCI teachings prior to killing his mother with a sword in January 2022 and attacking two other family members.

Washam’s family told investigators that his behavior had changed after he became involved in Jamal's online teachings. During the investigation, authorities found evidence of severe mental illness, and Washam was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity.

In one widely reported 2023 case, six UCI followers—including 2- and 3-year-old children—disappeared from the St. Louis area after the four adults reportedly severed contact with relatives and adopted new identities. Police said the adults appeared to have left voluntarily but remained concerned for the whole group’s well-being.

Cartisha Morgan is the mother of Ma’Kayla Wickerson and grandmother of Malaiyah Wickerson, both of whom went missing with the other four individuals from Berkeley, Mo., in 2023. At a 2026 CrimeCon panel about UCI, Morgan explained that her daughter had suddenly cut off contact with her family after moving into a house with three other UCI followers.

“I was OK [with her finding] spirituality, but you just don't cut off all communication with everyone that you have grown up with,” Morgan said. “What started me to realize that something was going on was when I received a call from her job during the wellness check because she worked remotely from home and she had not [been at work] for a week. She blocked us with her phone and changed her number. So if you [went] over there and knocked on the door, she would not answer. [These new people] were her new family. She mentioned things about the matrix.”

Mike King, a cult behavior expert, emphasized at CrimeCon that cult leaders purposefully attempt to make their followers sever contact with their families and friends: “They go through this separation process because they don't want your daughter calling her only support system at that moment, and it's not a reflection on the families that are left in the wake of these disasters. It's a reflection on the power of the cult leader to manipulate somebody who's weak at just that perfect moment in time.”

King added that groups like UCI attract “someone who's trying to become a little more spiritual or more enlightened than the next…because they're promised elite positions whatever the final destiny is, whether it's heaven or a cosmic planet where lizards are born.”

After going to the house where Wickerson was living with other UCI members while investigating the whereabouts of the missing individuals, George Ervin, Detective Sergeant of the Berkeley Police Department, said at CrimeCon that it looked like they had just “packed up and moved.”

As of 2026, the group of missing persons, which also includes Naaman Williams, Gerielle German and Ashton Mitchell, has not been located, and the case remains unsolved. Authorities have not accused Jamal of causing their disappearance, though investigators have examined the movement's influence on the people involved.