Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research is excited to announce the 2019 recipients of the Malcolm X Vanguards of Justice Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes members that made outstanding contributions to their community through service inspired by the legacy of a champion of social justice, El Hajj Malik Shabbaz Malcolm X.
The awardees serve as role models who strive to establish social justice, work for positive change in their community, and make the world a better place by contributing expertise where it is needed locally. Each recipient will receive $2,000 to put towards their studies or student debt. Applicants were required to be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies or be a graduate with student debt, maintain a 3.0 GPA or above, and display commitment to community service and social justice.

Rasheed Shabazz

UC Berkeley
Recipient of the Judith Lee Stronach Baccalaureate Prize, the inaugural AP-Google Journalism and Technology Fellowship
Fellow at the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society
Executive Director, Habari Ummah, an online platform focused on mental health, community organizing, and supporting formerly incarcerated people in the Bay Area
Coordinator of Oakland Voices

Minha Khan

Stanford University
Co-founded Pakistan’s first in-school Adult Literacy Program, Mah-E-Noor
Director of Education of Stanford Global Development Association
Junior Manager of the Multilingual Education Project for The Citizens Foundation

Maryam Ahmed

George Washington University
Founder of Sisters' Suhbah, a faith-based campus community that fosters unity and spirituality on campus
Young Muslims Regional Coordinator 
ICNA Council for Social Justice Volunteer Coordinator

Nabintou Doumbia

Georgetown University Law
Co-founded Sisterhood of Yere Lon, a program that centers the identities, experiences, and radical dreams of liberation of young, Black African, Muslim-American girls in the city of Detroit by tackling unaddressed traumas and building a space for self-development
Inaugural fellow in the Muslim Wellness Foundation’s Deeply Rooted Emerging Leaders Fellowship

Asad Dandia

Columbia University
Founded Muslim Giving Back, serving underserved families in NYC with food, rent, and events. Over 50,000 hot meals distributed to homeless in NYC, Over $350,000 collected on behalf of families in need and Over 120 months of rent paid
Teaching Assistant at Islamic Center of NYU

Najaih Muhammad

Hampshire College
Coordinator of MANA, a food packaging facility in Philadelphia that feeds shelters
Founder and President of “F.I.R.E. : Female Initiative  Respect Empowerment”  To empower girls and to help each other have a successful future

Ayah Sarsour

Marquette University
Federal Public Defender Law Clerk
Finalist for the Sue Lehmann Teaching Fellowship Award
Teach for America Milwaukee Collective Board
Student Affiliate of the Klau Center for Civil and Human Rights

Yasmeen Azam

University of Chicago
Co-Founder of #WeCSULB Coalition, the first social justice and equity committee at California State University, Long Beach
Young Invincibles Board member for refugee support and educational mentorship towards applying for college 
Youth LA Regional Director, Muslim American Society 

Aicha Toure

University of Michigan
Founder of Young Muslim Action Committee 
Hosts and coordinator for “Know Your Rights” in Flint to help minorities who are affected by immigration policies and discrimination
Research Fellow with Flint Registry: providing resources and education to those affected by the Flint Water Crisis 

Maimuna Gassama

Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Diversity Peer Educator at St. John’s University
UNICEF Chapter Vice President and Head of External Outreach
St. Johns “R.I.S.E” Network Mentor
The R.I.S.E. Network is a scholar’s empowerment network that provides Black and Latin freshman students with skill-based development, support and opportunities to enhance their overall academic career
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 scholarship who will carry Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research mission to inspire, instill conviction, and reclaim our narrative.