It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our amazing colleague and friend, Imran Uddin, on September 29th, 2024 after complications from a heart attack. Imran was a loving father and husband, a dedicated community leader, a successful entrepreneur, a devote Muslim, and a hilarious and playful man. He was always up to help out, and brought joy to his work with PowerTools.
Imran represented PowerTools at the Business Technology Early College High School (BTECH), located in Imran’s home borough of Queens. There he ran a game-playing elective during the “Kick Back and Chill” program that PowerTools co-created with BTECH’s SEL team. He also facilitated a self-care workshop during staff appreciation week
Beyond PowerTools, Imran was a pillar of his community. As president of the Parent Teacher Association at P.S. 63, he worked tirelessly to support the school, notably championing the opening of Queens’ first certified halal kitchen. A true example of Imran’s culturally responsive work in action, the Halal kitchen allows Muslim students to access religiously appropriate meals during the day. AND, as Imran, noted in The Queens Chronicle , “Over the years, just like kosher, halal has become synonymous with quality, hygiene and cleanliness. And so even the non-Muslim community is very receptive and welcoming to the fact that their children now have access to higher standards as far as food goes.”
Imran is third from left in the back row, at P.S. 63
As if that wasn’t enough to make him amazing, Imran was also the subject of the award(s)-winning documentary A Son’s Sacrifice, which won the Best Documentary Short at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008. The film “follows Imran, a first-generation American who must confront his mixed heritage and gain acceptance from his father's immigrant community. On the holiest day of the year, Imran must lead a sacrifice that will define him as a Muslim, as an American, and as a son.”
The loss of Imran is profound, and/but the world was forever made better by his presence. We are grateful for the time Imran spent with us, and for his wonderful family, Abby Lovett-Uddin, PowerTools’ Program Manager, and their two daughters. Please join us in sending love and well wishes their way.