Meet Shahid Abdul-Karim

Shahid Abdul-Karim is an award-winning journalist and the community engagement editor for the New Haven Register and former managing editor for Muslim Journal.

His role as community engagement editor focuses on involving the community at every step of the process of local journalism; including outreach and partnerships with community organizations and readers. Among other responsibilities, Abdul-Karim has lead newsroom efforts of producing original content for all platforms relating to engagement, lead engagement efforts through liveblogs and live chats, and coached newsroom staff in the use of social media to improve journalism.

As managing editor, was directly responsible for the overall operations and news content of the weekly print publication.

His work as community engagement editor has given opportunity for the voice of the disenfranchised and less fortunate to be heard.

Through a series of stories about suffering and trauma many New Haven families endure, Abdul-Karim was able to draw the attention of the U.S. Congress to violence in New Haven and more specifically to the slayings of so many young people of color.

Further, it was the trust he developed in the scarred and grieving communities that led to the chance to tell these stories.

His stories and engagement have promoted change locally and nationally. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Sen Chris Murphy, both (D-Conn.) have addressed New Haven violence in speeches on the floor of the United States Senate. His work has also prompted Blumenthal and Murphy to hold community conversations on violence in New Haven, bringing national attention to the issue.

Abdul-Karim has been invited to the White House to cover President Barack Obama’s annual Iftar dinner celebrating the holy month of Ramadan.

He is a graduate of Springfield College (MA) with a bachelor’s of science degree in human services. From 1999 to 2008 he was a national correspondent for Muslim Journal. He is a native of Baton Rouge, La.