Ziad Ahmed

About

Ziad Ahmed is an American liberal political activist, entrepreneur and public speaker. Ahmed grew in online following a series of TikTok videos he published went viral on Twitter.

Online History

In 2013, Ziad Ahmed launched Redefy, a nonprofit organization that fights prejudice and stereotypes in culture.^[1] The organization resulted in accommodation from President Barack Obama in 2015 (photograph below).^[2]

That year, Ahmed launched his Twitter account. ^[3] Within five years, he has amassed more than 12,900 followers.

The following year, Ahmed co-founded JUV Consulting, a marketing firm aimed at helping companies engage Generation Z. His work with JUV earned Ahmed a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30.^[4]

Reputation

Ahmed's early companies and organizations have earned him accommodation from President Barack Obama and a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30.

Criticism

Stanford Application

On April 1st, 2017, Ahmed tweeted his Stanford admissions essay, which consisted of #BlackLivesMatter written 100 times. He wrote,^[5] "I submitted this answer in my @Stanford application, & yesterday, I was admitted…" The tweet received more than 29,000 likes and 14,000 retweets (shown below).

While some appreciated his post, some found the essay in poor taste. Twitter^[6] user @seventh_nerve tweeted,^[7] "This is no more than a blatant slap in the face to those who deserve the privilege of an education, based on talent and academic fortitude" (shown below, left). Twitter user @pulverisedrock wrote, "Glad you support the #BLM movement but this seems rather performative & like dodgy allyship to me #BlackLivesMatter" (shown below, right).

Speaking to the Washington Post^[8] about the backlash, Ahmed said, "The vitriol is sobering to me[…]the hatred has been acute, the love and support have been heartwarming."

TikTok Videos

On April 10th, 2020, Ahmed published a series of TikTok videos that became the subject of criticism and mockery online (shown below).

In the coming days, Ahmed became the subject of criticism and parody on Twiter. On April 12th, Twitter user @leftisthot420 retweeted the video and wrote, "This guy's dad was the CEO of Citibank." The tweet received more than 77,000 likes and 9,900 retweets in less than four days (shown below).

This guy's dad was the CEO of Citibank https://t.co/2pi3DxNCNQ

— Valentina (@leftistthot420) April 12, 2020

On April 15th, TikTok and Twitter user @rishipuff tweeted a parody video of Ahmed. The tweet received more than 36,000 likes and 5,000 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below).

please watch this i shaved for it pic.twitter.com/wCfkEbTLKp

— clean the mic after this or you will get it (@rishipuff) April 15, 2020

That day, Twitter user @LivePosting tweeted a video of Ahmed speaking on the Brandweek podcast and wrote, "we need to start generating funds to primary this asshole when he runs for office in 10 years." The tweet received more than 17,000 likes and 1,000 retweets in less than 24 hours (shown below).

we need to start generating funds to primary this asshole when he runs for office in 10 years pic.twitter.com/TjEPCbQbWL

— Liv (@LivPosting) April 15, 2020

Search Interest

External References