My name is Mohamed Baayd.  I was born in a small desert village in southern Morocco. I was raised by  inspiring, loving parents and extended family, and basically our whole village. Living conditions were very hard there, however, it taught me how to be resilient. 
 
At age 6, I moved to Casablanca to live with my stepmother to attend school.  This journey taught me patience, faith, and how to forgive.  I was faced with the challenges of racism as a Black Berber boy who lived in a very poor neighborhood.  
 
Twenty-four years later I immigrated to the United States of America. Now I am a husband, father, military veteran, small business owner, American citizen, and candidate for the Salt Lake City School Board District 5. I have an Associate Degree in English and Arabic Literature which I earned in Morocco.  I am the first in my family and village to earn a Bachelor's and Master's degree from American universities.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from BYU and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Hawaii Pacific University.
 
I am running for the school board because I love my community.  I believe education is the key in supporting children to become everything they can dream of and making our own community better with each dollar we invest in our schools. As an American, service to my community is a calling that motivates me to work hard to provide an equitable society that thrives.