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Zakia Benyard

Executive Director

Zakia Benyard is a native Newark, NJ resident. She holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree from Kean University in Counseling/Psychology respectively. She currently works as the Executive Assistant for the Three Doctors Foundation, Chairs the Ajeya Foundation and works as a Sr Grants Accounting Mgr for a local non profit company in Essex County.

 

She is in the pre-order phase of her upcoming book, which focuses on her journey with her son from the NICU to living with his Autism Diagnosis, finalizing her LLC which will serve as an umbrella company for her consulting, coaching, travel, fitness/health services targeting, but not limited to, individuals and families on the Autism Spectrum along with her publication and EP project, Lyrically Mused. 

 

She currently resides in West Orange, NJ with her 17 year old son who is on the Autism Spectrum. Throughout her son’s educational experience she’s been an involved, parent-advocate and supporter of Autism Awareness programming and events. She has served as a Span Resource Parent with SPAN-NJ, participated, supported and organized events for Autism Awareness ranging from Bowling 4 Autism, by way of B.FAB (bowling for Autism with the Benyards) with MyGoal, Autism Walks in Essex county, Miracle Walks with St Barnabas Medical Center-NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit), volunteering with WOSEPAC, Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, PA, participating with Special Olympics of NJ, Bounce out The Stigma, and Special Dragons. Zakia and her son have also traveled with Autism on the Seas for the past few years. In addition, she’s worked closely with the Arc of Essex, Lifetown-Livingston and AsunStar to provide additional resources services and recreational opportunities for her son. 

 

Her aim is to continue to provide a well-rounded experience for her son while managing her personal life goals and ambitions, raising awareness and educating families and friends on the impact Autism plays in their everyday lives. Her life’s purpose is to empower and educate families to create a world that is inclusive of all children with different abilities.

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