Newton College and Career Academy senior Ibraheem Zareef sets his sights on becoming an international motivational speaker and hopes to open a marketing and finance agency, a real estate company and a nonprofit organization once he completes his schooling.
Newton County senior Ibraheem Zareef does not just hope to start one business someday. He wants to start many of them.
“I want to be a founder,” the Newton College and Career Academy student said. “I want to establish them and then be on the board.”
After graduating college, Zareef plans to become an international motivational speaker and wants to open a marketing and finance agency, a real estate company and a nonprofit organization. He was exposed to Spanish in elementary school at an after-school program, later took classes at the Newton County Theme School and now continues his journey at the Newton County STEAM Academy. Zareef fell in love with the language and soon hopes to be fluent in it.
“With business,” he said, “it’s the main language you need to understand.”
After already earning academic credits in middle and high school, he continues to study the language online and practices it with friends. To get to the next level, he hopes to study management information systems and business finance at Georgia Gwinnett College or Georgia State College after high school graduation in May.
“He is an impressive young man who is enthusiastic about providing assistance wherever possible,” said Chad Walker, the CEO and principal at the Newton College and Career Academy. “His future looks exceptionally promising. His leadership qualities reflect those of a seasoned professional.”
“He is an impressive young man who is enthusiastic about providing assistance wherever possible. His future looks exceptionally promising.”
Newton College and Career Academy CEO Chad Walker
While at NCCA, Zareef has become a leader in the Distributive Education Clubs of America—an international student organization for those with an interest in marketing, business management, hospitality and tourism, finance and entrepreneurship.
“Students improve their professional skills through networking, public speaking and presentations,” said local DECA advisor Joi Morgan. “NCCA DECA participates in community service, competitions and fundraisers. We pride ourselves on being inclusive and focus on preparing students as well-rounded individuals.”
Zareef, who’s based out of Newton High School, has been a part of DECA for four years and became more involved three years ago when he started at NCCA. In a group of about 50 students, he started off as vice president of finance his sophomore year, then he moved up to president of the chapter as a junior. For his senior year, he progressed to a more advisory role as chairman.
“Ibraheem is the prime example of a student who engages in a career technical student organization and seizes the opportunities that are provided,” Morgan said. “He has presented in front of his peers and networked with students across the country. It is a pleasure watching him go after his success.”
Over the last few years, Zareef has traveled to DECA conventions locally, as well as in Florida, Tennessee and California. There, he and other students participate in workshops on topics like fundraising and public speaking and face off in competitions in areas like marketing and finance. “I’ve built my network across the state and over the country,” Zareef said. He also works at Chick-fil-A on Salem Bridge, serves as a member of the Future Business Leaders of America student group and participates in an inaugural digital internship in the Newton County School System’s superintendent’s office. “I want to get more involved and make connections.”
Students in DECA can network with leaders and businesses across the country, participate in community service projects and also earn college scholarships. Out of 260,000 international members and more than 18,000 students in Georgia across more than 200 middle and high schools, Zareef was one of six elected from among 21 candidates to serve as a Georgia executive officer as the VP of finance. He and the five others helped plan and will execute a program of leadership this year for the DECA chapter in Georgia.
“I have seen many examples of Ibraheem’s dedication and have been very impressed by his diligence and work ethic,” said Shannon Aaron, the Georgia executive director and state advisor for DECA. “He is always cheerful and willing to assist with any task.”
Zareef notes that he was not chosen for the role last year, so he stepped up his networking at conferences to build more connections for a stronger application.
“I believed I had the ability to do it,” he said.
The local chapter, which Zareef compares to a family, hosts fundraisers and connects with area businesses to raise money and sponsorships for transportation to conferences, club activities and recruitment, along with food for local events. Students teamed up with Nothing Bundt Cake for a fundraiser in 2023. While in the state office, Zareef hopes to network even more while traveling to states like Florida and North Carolina. He also wants to teach chapters how to grow their finances through fundraising and networking with business professionals.
“He has a great drive and passion for all that he does,” Aaron said. “I look forward to working with Ibraheem this year as we grow our membership, support our chapters, increase awareness and advocate on behalf of our members.”
Click here to read more stories by Michelle Floyd.
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