Born in Dubai, Fatima’s family immigrated to Canada and eventually to the United States to find a safe haven away from the Gulf War. As a Muslim, immigrant and woman of color, Fatima learned from a very young age what it felt like not to belong. However, she also learned the power that comes from fighting for her rights and building community. Fatima continued her medical studies, but found her passion as an educator and turned to become a teacher. She began training a cross-country team, obtained her teaching credentials and began working as a teacher at Watts.
We are at a moral crisis. The rate of homelessness in our communities is the worst in the nation. Gentrification is happening in communities all around us. Being homeless is criminalized by lawmakers. Enough is enough. Home ownership is a key path to wealth and it is time for leadership that builds the wealth in the communities of our district, not reduces it.