About Marikay

Marikay credits her husband, Isa, and her children, Joey and Michael, for supporting her in her community leadership.

Marikay kicking off Safer Streets Week in Greensboro

Public Safety

Safer Streets Week

Community Service

Resolution – Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Leadership

Serving Greensboro since 2011


Making Greensboro The best it can be

Public Safety

Marikay has been active and supportive in the Mothers Standing Against Gun Violence Initiative. Crimestoppers, the Greensboro Police Department, community advocates and Mothers and families who have been affected by homicides go into neighborhoods to drop Crimestoppers leaflets hoping for tips about their loved one’s murder. After these walks, Crimestoppers quite often receives tips concerning unsolved homicides and also about criminal activities in the area.
Marikay with police officers patrolling downtown Greensboro.
Marikay with police officers patrolling downtown Greensboro.

Prior to 2024, Greensboro had a significant rise in the number of children who died in home fires. The Greensboro Fire Department had hoped to buy a fully equipped, technologically advanced safety trailer that would teach children how to call for help and safely exit a burning building. Knowing that the trailer would be very expensive, Marikay approached her Kiwanis Club of Greensboro. Their foundation raised $50,000 to add to the Fire Department funds in order to purchase the safety trailer. It has been tremendously successful and is taken to events and neighborhoods to teach children about fire safety.

Prior to 2017, fatalities on train tracks, especially in East Greensboro, were happening at an alarming rate. Marikay had already taken the Citizens Police Academy and later took her ATV certification in order to be able to assist our Police Department in educating those who chose to walk in the right of way of train tracks. Because it is an “education only” initiative, no tickets are given. Pedestrians who are trespassing on tracks are given information on the dangers of doing so. Thankfully, since this program began, there have been no more pedestrian deaths in the 3 mile corridor that was specified as being one of the most dangerous in the state.


Serving Greensboro

Community Service

Marikay has been an integral part of the Greensboro community her entire adult life. Her community service illustrates her devotion to Greensboro and her personal involvement with Greensboro’s residents by the community support she receives for the causes she supports.
Marikay with Greensboro City's initiative for Shoppers' Day to benefit disabled shoppers.
Marikay with Eastern Guilford students and Mrs. Cinnamon Johnson helping with Shoppers’ Day to benefit disabled shoppers.

Marikay’s Civic Involvement


Leadership through service

Leadership

Small business and entrepreneur support:
Marikay knows the importance of small and medium sized businesses. As a small business owner (Mahi’s Restaurant) for 22 years, she understands that they are an integral part of our economy. She also knows the challenges of being a small business owner. Even though she was no longer in the restaurant industry, during COVID she set up a “Takeout” Facebook page for restaurants who told her they would have gone out of business if not for their increased takeout business. Marikay’s entire family is comprised of small business owners: Her husband, Isa, and her children, Joey and Michael, are all entrepreneurs.
Marikay Abuzuaiter at the City Council dais during a council meeting.
Marikay Abuzuaiter has served Greensboro since 2011.

Recognitions

  • Friend of the Firefighter Award
  • Dawn Chaney Foundation “Woman of the Year”
  • 1 in “People of Influence”, News and Record
  • Grady Hunter Regional Excellence Award, Piedmont Triad Regional Council
  • Greensboro Regional Realtors Association Public Servant Award

Marikay for Mayor Video Library

Marikay Abuzuaiter named Greensboro Mayor Pro Tempore

Four 2 Five: Greensboro takeout

State of the City 2025 – Marikay Abuzuaiter

Greensboro Councilwoman considers running for Mayor

Marikay Abuzuaiter on The Common Ground Show