About Amir
Born and raised in Atlanta, Amir Farokhi spent his youth exploring downtown's canyons and the halls of Atlanta colleges, where his parents worked as educators at Georgia State University and Morris Brown College. It was from these experiences that Amir learned Atlanta's rich history and began to recognize that although Atlantans held different perspectives and needs, Atlantans were drawn to the city by the promise of more, not only for themselves, but also for the city itself.
It is his belief that Atlanta can grow from a "brave and beautiful city" into an inspiring world-class city that calls Amir to public service today.
Growing up in Atlanta, Amir attended The Galloway School and spent his summers surrounded by energized college students, absent-minded professors, and the pulsing diaspora of a growing city. He was exposed early to Atlanta's mixture of races, ethnicities, and cultures. From these experiences, Amir developed a deep understanding of others and an appreciation for the city's diversity and history.
Following high school, Amir chose to attend Duke University. As a student government representative, Amir introduced legislation calling on the university to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an official school holiday. Soon thereafter, Duke, for the first time, began an annual tradition of treating Dr. King's day as a university-wide day of celebration and service.
After earning a degree in political science, Amir traveled to Taiwan where he taught for a year at the Taipei American School. During this time, Amir had the opportunity to travel to some of the world's great cities: Hong Kong, Bangkok, London, Rome, Amsterdam and Beijing. Each of these cities offered something different but instructive about what makes cities great: the importance of affordable housing integrated throughout a city; the role a vibrant street life, experienced on foot, plays in giving a city depth, identity and safety; the necessity of abundant green-space and public space; the role of great architecture and public art in inspiring a city's residents and attracting tourists; and the need to embrace a city's history as it moves forward.
More than any other experience, Amir's travels helped him realize both his deep pride in Atlanta and his desire to make Atlanta become a world-class city; merging the best of its history, southern culture, vibrant commerce, educational and artistic communities, and a global, dynamic and open people.
After completing his law degree from Duke University, Amir returned to Atlanta where he practiced at a large local firm until July 2009. Amir lives in the shadow of downtown, near the entrance to Historic Oakland Cemetery. Surrounded by a rapidly changing neighborhood, striving to allow old and new to flourish together, it is not lost on Amir that he lives on a street named for Atlanta's greatest son, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Amir serves on the Board of Directors of the Charles R. Drew Charter School in East Lake and the Board of Trustees of The Galloway School. Amir is also a Fellow with the Truman National Security Project.
State Rep. Stacey Abrams, House District 84I'm supporting Amir because he offers the fresh perspective, smart solutions and professional experience that Atlanta needs.
