Meet Zakiya Muhammad, Career Exploration Program Coordinator
Zakiya Muhammad is one of the newest additions to the Reel Works team. They will be working with the MediaMKRS program as the Career Exploration Program Coordinator. In this role, they will be supporting Reel Works Alumni as they explore the media field and complete work-readiness courses.
Zakiya is a graduate of Howard University and studied Television and Film, as well as English Literature. As an undergraduate, Zakiya also played on the Howard Women’s soccer team, earning two SWAC championship rings.
Before entering this role, Zakiya was an Assistant Producer with Wide Angle Youth Media, a non-profit organization that works to amplify the voices of Baltimore youth through media programs and teaching media literacy. Zakiya was also a Productions apprentice with the Wide Angle Productions team. During their time, they were able to feel the impact of having a mentor and being able to access different resources and opportunities that were not previously available.
Zakiya shared with us their favorite part about being the Career Exploration Program Coordinator and how they are able to support students in the program: “I remember what it felt like after graduating college and feeling so lost and unsure of myself. When I was able to become a Production Apprentice and have a mentor with industry experience it seemed too good to be true. I was able to ask questions and receive support in a way that I never had before. As the Career Exploration Program Coordinator, I am reminded of myself and I love being able to answer students' questions and remind them of everything that they are capable of. It goes beyond their careers, we are here to support their confidence, their identities, and remind them that they have all of Reel Works in their corner.”
They also worked with TGIJP, the Trangender, Gender Variant, Intersex Justice Project, as a Freelance Producer. In this role, Zakiya worked with the TGIJP team to produce fundraising videos for the organization's board of directors. Through working with these different non-profit organizations, Zakiya found they were most passionate about building and strengthening community. They believe empowering youth in marginalized communities is one of the many ways to promote equality and diversity in the media industry. Zakiya is passionate about supporting those who have not always been able to access different resources and ensuring that they not only have the tools to share their stories, but also that they know their voices and perspectives matter and deserve to be shared.
Zakiya shared, “From my own personal experience I know how it feels to feel overlooked and dismissed due to unchangeable parts of my identity, and I also know the power of being seen, heard and acknowledged as a three-dimensional person. It is an amazing feeling to work with students and hear the passion in their voices when they speak about their work and see the excitement in their faces when they recognize that someone is actively listening to them and ready to support their goals.”
In their free time, Zakiya enjoys reading a lot of Sci-Fi, High Fantasy, and Cultural Studies books and practicing their creative writing. They also enjoy playing soccer and going for walks and runs in Prospect Park.
If you have any inquiries about the Career Exploration program, please feel free to contact Zakiya.