Shammas Malik

Shammas Iqbal Qammar Malik was born and raised in Ward 8, Northwest Akron, Ohio in a Muslim family.[1][2] He is Pakistani and White.[3] His mother, Helen Qammar, was a chemical engineering professor at the University of Akron.[1] Brandon Choi is an uncle-in-law. In 2009, he graduated from Firestone High School with an International Baccalaureate Diploma.[4] He earned dual bachelor's degrees in political science and international studies from the Ohio State University in 2013.[4] Malik completed a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 2016.[1] During law school, he completed several summer internships in Washington, D.C., including at The Pentagon.[1][4]

From 2016 to 2018, Malik was an assistant director of the Akron Law Department.[5][4] For almost a year, he worked as an associate at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease.[4] In the fall of 2019, he ran for the city council, Ward 8 as a Democrat.[1][4] Malik was elected that year with 73 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Brian Fortney.[4] He started his term on January 1, 2020, succeeding Marilyn Keith.[1][4] In the role, he has advocated for a civilian oversight board for the Akron Police Department.[1] He serves on four council committees, Public Safety, Budget and Finance, Parks and Recreation, and Rules.[6] In the 2023 Akron mayoral election, Malik won the Democratic nomination, prevailing in a field of seven candidates.[7] In May, he announced his transition team.[5]

• Official website