Naima was born in the United Arab Emirates to Yemeni and Somali immigrants. She moved to San Diego, California with her family when she was 12 years old. From a young age, she was eager to prevent health and education disparities. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and a Minor in Middle Eastern Studies. She worked as a research assistant in a Molecular Biology lab at the Scripps Research Institute for two years. She pursued her interest in education by working as an Arabic teacher as well as a math and chemistry tutor. During that time, she earned a Master of Public Health degree from National University, with a concentration in health promotion. She worked as a Community Health specialist with a multicultural population in the UCSD Mobilization program. She disseminated health education materials with the goal of preventing obesity, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, and decreasing sugary beverage consumption. She also worked for a number of organizations as an independent contractor, developing cultural competency training and delivering health education workshops. She is now the El Cajon site’s High School Specialist. She is eager to assist students in underprivileged communities.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X