Rana Abdelhamid

organization overview

Malikah is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing gender and hate-based violence through community-based interventions and training. Malikah empowers vulnerable communities by providing self-defense and financial literacy, organizing trainings, and mental health resources, creating safer spaces, and building resilience against violence. Malikah organizes self-defense workshops, offers trauma-informed counseling, and conducts community outreach to increase awareness about safety and mental health. Malikah’s vision is to create a world where all communities can live free from gender violence and discrimination, and everyone has the tools and resources to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Personal Bio

Rana Abdelhamid is the founder and executive director of Malikah, a non-profit organization dedicated to building safety and power for marginalized communities through self-defense education, financial literacy, and mental health resources. As a community organizer and social entrepreneur, Rana’s work centers on addressing issues of violence and discrimination faced by underserved communities. Her passion for social impact was sparked by her experiences as a survivor of a hate-based attack and as a child of immigrants growing up as a Muslim woman in New York City.

Rana served as the youngest board member of Amnesty International USA for six years. In 2022, she ran for U.S. Congress to represent her home district, mobilizing thousands of people around issues of housing and healthcare access. Rana’s work is widely recognized, with accolades including the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, a NYC Council Proclamation, and the Truman Scholarship. She has been featured in outlets such as CNN, NBC News, and Teen Vogue. Rana holds a BA in political science and economics from Middlebury College and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School.