Development Manager
Hi I’m Zarinah Nadir and I am thrilled to join Sounds Academy in Development. I am a professional with many years of experience in law and community development. I was raised amongst diverse cultures in West Phoenix and Tempe by socially conscious parents raised in the 1960’s New York. My love of culture and languages led me to Arizona State University where I obtained a Bachelor’s in Spanish. My love for community and equity led me to law school at ASU where I graduated with high pro bono distinction. I became a public interest attorney because I wanted to see my various communities have more access to justice. In practice, I served as guardian ad litem for children accused of committing crimes or who were victims of abuse or neglect. I also represented parents seeking reunification with their children in state custody.
While being an attorney is my professional foundation, community engagement is my motivation. I have been fortunate to help build four community based organizations with a focus on legal empowerment, diversity, youth development, and mental health. My primary roles have been in recruiting, team building, marketing, program development, and community relations. I’m honored to have these efforts recognized by being a recipient of the City of Tempe’s MLK award, being featured in several Tempe History Museum exhibits, and being invited to the U.S. State Department in May by sitting U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken.
Over this last decade, I have been laser-focused on bringing about affordable attorney access to the historically disenfranchised in the United States and Canada. My main areas of focus have included civil rights, juvenile law, family law, criminal justice, small business rights, immigration law, and artists rights. I believe one shouldn’t have to check their wallet before they check their rights. While law can be a stuffy profession, I have strived to make it fun. During the pandemic I wrote and published my first book, Legally Savvy: Your Guide to Avoiding Headaches and Heartbreaks in Love, Life and Business. It’s probably the first book that mentions Aretha Franklin, Kanye West, and the Supreme Court all in one book! It launched as a #1 New Release in 15 categories on Amazon.
Joining the SOUNDS Academy team was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. It is a chance to combine three of my loves, access to justice, youth empowerment, and access to the arts. I truly believe that justice also means that a child’s zip code should not determine their access to music education. I look forward to supporting this brilliant organization and seeing its efforts amplified in Arizona and beyond. I also look forward to meeting each one of you!
