#Crush • Mari Malek: Beauty, Brains & Heart!

A striking model who started her career at 16 years old, Mari Malek is a rarity in her field for her humanitarian work in Sudan. As the co-founder of Southern Sudan Initiative, Inc. (a non-profit organization that simultaneously informs people about Sudan ‘s genocide and helps victims of it) Malek used her fame as a platform to bring light to an often ignored plight. In fact, the Sudanese transplant is widely respected for her charity work with Sudan’s “lost boys” and “lost girls.”

A sought after model because of her height, build, beauty, and style, Malek’s been featured in national magazines like Seventeen, Vanity Fair, Essence, Trace, Paper, and Bleu and international trades in Spain and Greece. Her appeal is unyielding as she garnered an advertising campaign for Arrojo Hair Salon, and walked the runway for such designers as Luca Luca, Tory Burch, Jose Duran, Katie Gallagher, Lacoste, and Lavin just to name a few.

In 2011, she was recognized for her work with Southern Sudan Initiative, Inc. BET nominated her for a Making a Difference (M.A.D.) Awards for their Black Girls Rock Awards for bringing light to Sudan’s genocide. Other nominees included Mary J. Blige, Tichina Arnold, Regina King, Anita Baker, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Melanie Fiona. Most recent accomplishments include: being the first Djamee Model to book a worldwide campaign for a legendary French couture name brand and she is the first DM model male or female to work with legendary photographer Steven Meisel.

Mari Malek is a philanthropist & co-founder of SOUTHERN SUDAN INITIATIVES, a charity which benefits the LOST CHILDREN OF SOUTHERN SUDAN. Mari was born in Wau, South Sudan & emigrated to the US at the age of 13, after living for a time in EGYPT. She currently lives in New York City, where she is pursuing a successful career as a fashion model & club DJ. For more information, checkout www.southernsudaninitiatives.org @DJStiletto