National Philanthropy Day® Spotlight: Zerqa Abid

Zerqa Abid, 2021 Outstanding Philanthropist, AFP Central Ohio
Sponsored by The Columbus Foundation

Zerqa Abid is the founder and executive director of MY Project USA. She is a mother,  philanthropist, writer, public speaker, social/political activist, community organizer, campaign consultant, and small-business owner. She received the Everyday Hero 2019 Award from the Dispatch Media Group. Columbus Alive listed her on their 2018 People to Watch list. She currently chairs the Public Safety Committee of Hilltop Area Commission.

Prior to starting MY Project USA, she co-founded and led Project Sakinah, a national initiative to address domestic violence within the Muslim Community. Abid is also a founding member and the President of Muslims for Ohio PAC, a political organization of Muslims in Ohio. She has served on the Hilliard Education Advisory Council. She served as the PTO President of the Hilliard Weaver Middle School. She is a member of the Hilliard Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association as well. In the past, she has worked at NBC News. She was the first general manager of The City Channel of the ARY Digital Network of Pakistan. Through her overseas company, she also organized international trade and consumer shows.

She is a Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude graduate of North Carolina State University. She received the “Norma & Wally Ausley Merit Scholarship” for being “The Outstanding Student of Mass Communications” in 2000. She is also a member of the Golden Key International Society.

The AFP Central Ohio Chapter is hosting its National Philanthropy Day event on Nov. 23. Learn more about Zerqa here.