Today we’d like to introduce you to Khalid Karim.
Hi Khalid, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Washington DC but I’ve stayed in many places such as Calvert Co., Falls Church VA., Arlington VA., Alexandria,and St. Croix. My parents were divorced when I was very young and my father remarried but that ended in divorce years later. I went to 14 school’s by the time I was 15, because of all the moving around. Alcoholism and drug use began to play a big role in my family falling apart and as the “crack era” took root, violence in DC rose tremendously. I honestly loved school but with my parents being on crack or reclusive, I found myself getting locked up as a juvenile on a few occasions and eventually I was incarcerated for a long period of time (Life plus 10 years). It was during this time that I forced myself to grow up. I didn’t know when or if I’d make it home but I didn’t want to die in prison. I got my G.E.D. and other certificates for programs that I later would facilitate (breaking barriers,houses of healing, and more). I would also earn my HVAC certification. Along my journey I would help a lot of the younger guys coming in prison because I didn’t want them making more mistakes as they entered this part of their life and I would be known for more than 20 years as brother Khalid,even to this very day.I would sit back and think about freedom and what I wanted to do with it if I were blessed with it and I always wanted to help the youth and the very community that I hurt with my wrong choices. So a couple of years before I was released I came up with my nonprofit Lessons Learned by Khalid and when I was freed I started working. I go to juvenile detention centers through the DMV area including Newport News VA because I’m also apart of a nonprofit organization from Newport News named Ketchmore Kids and we do mentoring workshops in Newport News and Portsmouth VA. I also have been going to a neighborhood in S.E. DC called Potomac Gardens for 5 years mentoring youth and assisting parents with food, clothing, toys and anything I can help with. I was invited over there by Frank Muhammad who still mentors there as well. I also help train(boxing)and mentor youth in Marlow Heights MD at the office of Dementia Goode who tutors youth their as a part of her nonprofit The Goode Fight. I am passionate about giving back a helping our youth and communities as best as I can because I know that I owe and I will continue to do and be more.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, mostly because I have tried to reach out to many organizations doing the work I love but who are established, only to be given false promises and brushed off. I’ve also found that despite my passion and sincerity,if you don’t come with certification and diplomas, one can get overlooked as well even when your lived experience may do more for those we’re trying to reach.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am HVAC certified and I’ve worked construction and office furniture installation but what I’m know for is being a voice to our youth in and out of detention centers. I’m known to travel up and down I-95 a couple of times a week after my regular job just to help facilitate workshops and mentoring sessions (I’ve even been acknowledged by the mayor of Hampton VA for this). I’m known for being dedicated to giving back.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people who know me know that I love helping people and that I love nature but many don’t know that I love to write poetry and that I’ve self published two poetry books.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Khalid Karim 75
- Facebook: Khalid Karim
- Youtube: Lessons Learned by Khalid Karim 75
