Abdul Akbar

In This Section

Abdul Akbar
Decatur, GA
Laurel Ridge Elementary School

Personal and Professional Information

Attended Drexel University (Civil Engineering) and Georgia State University (Interdisciplinary Studies majoring in Transportation Planning). Currently, work as Staff Engineer for Fulton County Gov. (over 30 years)

PTA Involvement

Current Service Includes:

Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson for the DeKalb County Region 2 PTA.

My duties include improving the importance of inclusion of the diverse student body and parental household in the development of PTA programs currently and for the future. Developing programs and training for local PTA units regarding diversity and broadening shareholder participation.
 

Past Service Includes:

  • Served multiple years on the DeKalb County Council of PTAs as the Area 4 Vice-President (Druid Hills Cluster).
  • Served on the DeKalb County Council of PTAs as Liaison for Region 1 for the Dunwoody, Chamblee, and Cross Keys High School Clusters.
  • Served as the Assistant District Director and the District Director for the 11th District of Georgia PTA,
  • Served for four years as the Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chairperson for Georgia PTA.
  • Served as the chair for all standing committees for Georgia PTA and member of the Executive Committee for Georgia PTA.
  • Served two terms as a National PTA Diversity committee member
  • Served one term as a National PTA Field Service committee member
     

Community Involvement

Current Service Includes:

  • The Thurgood Marshall College Fund 
  • Doctors Without Borders 
  • The Atlanta Community Food Bank  
  • The Atlanta Children's Shelter

Past Service Includes:

  • Served two terms as Councilman for the City of Clarkston (Georgia) 
  • Served Vice President DeKalb Municipal Association  
  • Served on the National League of Cities Panel for Community and Regional Development
  • Volunteered for various organizations, which include 
  • Boy Scouts of America, YMCA, Upward Basketball (Clarkston International Baptist Church)
  • Peachtree Road Race for years 2010 to recent years


Honor and Awards

  • National Honor Society
  • Dean’s List
  • Multiple PTA Awards
  • The employee of the Quarter for Fulton County Government

Abdul Akbar



Candidate Narrative

Abdul Akbar

I humbly request your support as a member of the National PTA Board of Directors; since the Pandemic, two things are apparent, school attendance has declined, and membership growth in the National PTA has weakened.  It’s imperative to reverse these trends for the National PTA to have a successful future, and I believe my voice at the table will make this possible.

I will advocate on your behalf to improve the voice of parents to make sure that our students are better equipped for the future.  Our students’ competition for success comes from students in the next classroom and classrooms around the world.  We must channel the desire for parents to have successful academic outcomes for their children into advocating more for the instruction of basic learning skills so that our students will be able to be competitive in the future.

We must listen to our members and help all children gain practical skills for meaningful future careers.  The PTA should advocate more for technical school education and community colleges to help our students avoid student loan debt.

When a natural disaster or a school shooting occurs, the PTA should be one of the first entities on the ground to let parents know that the PTA is there for their families, even if they are not yet members of the PTA. 

I represent a part of the changing American demographic.  As part of this change, we must provide parents with a vision that they are willing to belong to the PTA and understand its value. Please vote for me for this important role to ensure a successful future for all children.