Zakiya Sankara-Jabar

Zakiya came to organizing, advocacy, and policy work organically as a parent shining a light on harmful school discipline policies that disproportionately impact Black students and their families in Ohio and now has worked in communities of all sizes across the country sharing tools, strategies and her story for working class parents. She combined both her personal story, professional skills and network to found and lead Racial Justice NOW!, an organization that exists to transform communities through organizing, advocacy and systemic policy change.

Currently a National Field Organizer at the Dignity In Schools Campaign, Zakiya was named to the inaugural #Power50 Leadership Fellowship for women of color with Community Change, formerly The Center for Community Change. She has received many national recognitions and her work was recently featured in the HBO series, Problem Areas. When not organizing parents or advocating for students, you will find Zakiya on conference stages across North America equipping audiences with her strategic frameworks for change. Outside work Zakiya enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two children.