Today we’d like to introduce you to Zaynab Farid
Hi Zaynab, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a highschool student I am always pushed to get involved in my community. I realized that there are so many small and local nonprofits, organizations, and charities in Atlanta who receive very little help from their community. Instead of getting involved with a large organization that is nationwide I decided to start from the bottom. I created a small team of highschool students who are driven by their ideology of creating change in their communities. I named this team Give Back ATL. and since its creation in January 2025 we have accomplished so much. To date, we have partnered with over 4 organizations to run donation drives with them. In addition to this we have run 3 of these drives simultaneously! We are so grateful to have been given the opportunity to donate over 250 items to local organizations in our city. Besides donations, we also contribute in other ways. Give Back ATL. has also given shoutouts and/or advertised local organizations events for over 12 organizations thus far. My team and I are so excited to continue our involvement and partnerships with these local charities and nonprofits throughout the rest of this year and more specifically during April through our April Donation Drive events!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been an easy road. Starting this team was so empowering but also very difficult to manage from a time management aspect. As I am a highschool student I also have to consider classwork, homework, and other extracurriculars I am involved with. In the beginning I tried to take the helm of this project and control or manage every little aspect. Now, I understand the power of delegating tasks and my team has grown stronger and closer because of it!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Junior at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA. In my school I am best known for my leadership in multiple clubs and teams such as the Varsity girls basketball team, the Model United Nations Team, and the South Asian Alliance. I am so proud of my leadership roles and the impacts I have had in my community inside and outside of the classroom. I am also very different from other people because I take my experiences, learning, and personal beliefs and implement that into all of my work.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
A lot of people don’t know that I am a First Generation American. My parents immigrated to the United States much before I was born and they have spent so much time building companies and working to achieve a better life here for not only themselves but also their kids. I am so grateful for my parents and for everything they have taught me throughout my life. They 100% made me who I am today and without them I am sure I would not be leading movements such as Give Back ATL.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/give.back.atl/
