Executive Director

About Zakia Shabazz
Zakia Rafiqa Shabazz is an author, educator, lecturer and mother of five. She is the founder and director of Shabazz Academy and since 1996, has headed a mobile Reading is Fundamental, (RIF), project that provides free books and motivation to inner city children.

In 1996 Mrs. Shabazz, discovered that her son, Zaki, had been poisoned by lead. This discovery prompted her to establish the Virginia Chapter of United Parents Against Lead, (UPAL National), and to write an account of her family's struggles with lead poisoning in her book entitled, A Child is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Under her direction the national non-profit organization has grown to include 25 state chapters and affiliates around the country. In 1998 Mrs. Shabazz, was named Co-Executive Director of UPAL National, which has become solely her responsibility since January 2002. UPAL National holds the distinction of being the premier parents' organization advocating for children and against lead poisoning and other environmental hazards.

Zakia Shabazz , has been a local Stand for Children organizer since it began in 1996. She is a Notary Public, holds a Paralegal Certificate with specialty study in Real Estate and Civil Litigation. She is a 1997 graduate of Capital Area Small Business Development Corp., and a graduate of United Way's first Project Vision class. She has served as a READ Center Board Member and presently serves on the Advisory Board of the Self-Studying Lead Poisoning Prevention, she continues to provide valuable insight, time and dedication towards strengthening the laws to protect children from lead poisoning.

She has been quoted in the Introduction of the Community Resource Guide for Lead Poisoning Prevention in California and her publication, A Child is a Terrible Thing to Waste. Mrs. Shabazz, is a certified Lead Inspector/Risk Assessor and Lead Based Paint Supervisor.

Read about Zakia's book: A CHILD IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE