During high school, Zadiah Ballard participated in several activities at the prestigious St. Vincent Academy.  She belonged to the high school’s Peer Leadership group, the Spiritual Life Committee, Culture Club, and was also a cheerleader. She worked at a local neighborhood Dunkin Donuts while the rest of her time was spent participating in supportive organizations such as SYSTAS 4SYSTAS. After graduating from St. Vincent Academy in 1999 Zadiah moved to Baltimore, MD to attend college at Morgan State University, a leader among Historically Black Universities and colleges.

There, Zadiah began to flourish.  Her outgoing and determined nature led her to make the Dean’s list, as well becoming a board member of the Benjamin Quarrels Historical Society. Zadiah became a proactive student. She began to develop self awareness and advocate against social injustice. She participated in several statewide protests for the state’s unfair allotment of state funding to Morgan State University.  Zadiah’s social growth continued when she obtained membership to SWING PHI SWING Social Fellowship Inc. She then went on to graduate from Morgan State University with a Bachelors of Arts in History in 2003.

After graduation, Zadiah moved back to Newark and began her career as an educator. Her first teaching job was at her former elementary school, St. Rose of Lima. As she began her teaching career, she continued to advance her education by attending graduate school. Working to obtain a NJ Elementary School Teaching License, Zadiah attended Caldwell College, and simultaneously obtained a MA in Instruction and Curriculum. After graduating Caldwell College, Zadiah continued her teaching career in the Orange School District in New Jersey.  Zadiah continues to pursue her dreams traveling to Jamaica, The Netherlands, Brazil, and Mexico. Today, while volunteering with SYSTAs 4 SYSTAs, the organization she befriended as a teen, she continues to follow her dreams and pursue her goals. She hopes to help someone else make the best opportunities out of life’s road blocks, hindrances and rainy days.