Ahmad Rafah was born in a refugee camp during his parents' escape from war-torn Afghanistan. They were fortunately resettled to the United States. His father became a doctor, his mother a teacher, his sister a social worker for the homeless, his brother an anti-bullying advocate, and Ahmad an educator.
Surviving as refugees in a poor neighborhood was tough. Because of their experiences with violence and poverty, he and his family learned the value of hard work, education, and community. He could not have succeeded without his neighbors, government, and schools -- and because of that, he has dedicated his life to putting community first.
Ahmad knows what it means to put people, especially kids, first. He has done this for Santa Clara. He taught math and science to Santa Clara students, advocated for the creation of a greener and healthier Santa Clara, championed a higher minimum wage for Santa Clara workers, and fought for a more inclusive and diverse Santa Clara government.
Most recently, he served as Congressman Mike Honda's tech and business policy advisor and liaison to the City of Santa Clara. He helped bring together Santa Clara leaders, high-level government officials, CEOs, and residents to solve the region's most important issues, such as the historic drought, using more green and solar energy, creating more advanced manufacturing jobs, building more affordable housing, and fixing transportation in Santa Clara.
In his effort to make Santa Clara the best place to live, he founded the City of Santa Clara Democratic Club; was appointed to the city's Charter Review Commission; is an active member of the Santa Clara Rotary; connected the city to First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" program; and organized the community to raise the minimum wage.
The people of Santa Clara can count on Ahmad to put their needs above outside interests, because he knows what it means to have to stand up for the right to live, prosper, and raise your family in a safe, inclusive, and successful community.
