Kareem knew as a teenager that God was calling him to serve those in need after giving out sandwiches in Tompkins Square Park through Graffiti’s FLIP Program. He holds a Masters in Social Work from NYU and an M.Div from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a social worker for NYC Social Services, and directed MNYBA’s Church and Community Ministries before coming to work full time at Graffiti in 2001. Kareem’s wife, Theresa, also serves as director of Graffiti 4, “Gotta Dance, Gotta Serve.” They have three children.