‘PATHWAYS’ OPENS DOORS FOR DISADVANTAGED CITY YOUTHS

By Mani Dashtizadeh
Staff Writer
Shakeel Ali at AT&T Park with Pathways for Kids participants
BLAZING TRAILS: Shakeel Ali, a SFSU alumni, waits for the last group in Pathway for Kids, a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youths in San Francisco, to arrive at the Giants last game.
AMANDA RYBARCZYK — XPRESS

As San Francisco bade farewell to Barry Bonds last Wednesday, about 30 “at-risk” city youths said hello to Giants management, learned about the baseball business, and picked up tips on how to kick-start a career.

SF State alumnus Shakeel Ali made this opportunity possible through Pathways for Kids (PFK), a San Francisco–based nonprofit organization founded in 1998 to inspire academic achievement and career awareness in disadvantaged youth.

Ali, 37, became the full-time program director for PFK in the summer of 2006 and began connecting economically disadvantaged youth with volunteer mentors or coaches who have achieved success in a wide variety of businesses and professions.

“I always had an intent to bridge the gap between students and the community,” said Ali, who graduated from SF State with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, social sciences, and ethnic studies in 2004.

Ali has been involved in activism since he was 19, working in local schools while attending City College for two years before enrolling at SF State in 2002. During his years at the university, he was the Moorish sports club president and a member of the Black Student Union and School of African Philosophy.

Peter L. Dwares, founder and chairman of PFK, said he wanted to take the organization to the next level in community involvement. Dwares said he heard from an advisor that Ali was very in touch with the community PFK was trying to serve and met him for lunch.

“He was perfect,” said Dwares, who hired Ali immediately after the meeting.

In addition to helping with PFK, Ali runs Ali International, a series of projects and organizations that revolve around education, community activism, music, and entrepreneurship.

One of the programs is the Alternative School of Knowledge (ASK), a three-part outreach project designed to help underprivileged and “at-risk” city youth develop business skills, self-confidence, and knowledge by focusing primarily on economics, education, and entertainment.

Through ASK, Ali works closely with organizations throughout the greater Bay Area, including the Help Increase the Peace Program, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, and Ripple Effects—initiatives aimed at education, conflict resolution, and positive change.

Beyond teaching career skills, Ali also promotes what he calls “conscious street music” within communities through Berkeley’s Report Radio (KPFA 94.1) and Bayshore Business, a hip-hop production company that allows Ali to mentor and guide young artists toward developing entrepreneurial skills.

Ali brought together partnering community organizers at AT&T Park to give his students insights into obtaining a career.

Virginia Marshall, Ali’s former teacher at Philip Burton High School, praised his role as a mentor and the importance of representation for city youth.

Craig Solomon, SF Giants manager of season ticket sales and a PFK career coach, helped organize the event by arranging guest speakers, access to management offices, and free tickets for participating youth.

The speakers shared stories about their career paths with the Giants, offered practical advice, and answered questions about entering professional fields.

“No matter what you like in life, get your foot in the door,” said Dwares. “Find something you love and try to turn it into a business, a career.”