Qasim Rashad was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. Upon entering Philadelphia Public schools, he graduated with honors from Martin Luther King, Jr. High School. Qasim pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dillard University in New Orleans, LA, in 1983.

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Qasim is the father of seven children who graduated from John Story Jenks, Central High School, Girls High School and Roxboro High School. Qasim's sons played baseball and football for Mt. Airy Bantams and his youngest daughter is currently enrolled at Chestnut Hill College majoring in Nursing.

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Five years ago, Qasim began coaching 4–6-year-olds with City Athletics a non-profit youth soccer development organization located at Mallory Playground. City Athletics plans to bring soccer to the 200th Legislative District so kids in the community can grow and develop with this ever expanding sport. Qasim serves as a chaperone for a local chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s annual HBCU tour which sends hundreds of students to tour and attend historically Black colleges in Pennsylvania and throughout the south. Qasim also donates his time to the annual Read Across America at West Oak Lane Charter School.

 

Not new to grassroots politics Qasim is duly elected as a city committee person for the 22nd ward of Philadelphia (Mt. Airy) and state committee person for the 4th Senatorial District of Pennsylvania (Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill and a portion of Montgomery County). Both are elected volunteer positions. As a faith leader, Qasim serves as Amir of United Muslim Masjid and United Muslim islamic Center of Philadelphia which were founded by the one and only Kenny "Luqman" Gamble of Philadelpia International Records. Qasim is self-employed and is owner and President of a small IT company called Final Mile Technologies, which he established in the district in 1998