Today we’d like to introduce you to Akilah Love.
Akilah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, My name is Akilah Love I began my journey in philanthropy since I was a child as my family served underserved communities for decades as volunteers and as members of parliament in Barbados. I since became a child actress and model and continued to serve voluntarily for the Ministry of Health in Toronto teaching my peers the dangers in drugs and sexual health. While raising my five children, it was imperative that they understood the importance to helping make others smile as many children are less fortunate than they were. It became a frequent habit for my children to join me in serving. In 2016 I began to partner with my now husband in community programs in inner-city Toronto, we served tirelessly for shelters for women and children and for toy and food drives for families in need. We since fell in love, greatly aligned and both so passionate about serving and improving the lives of others.
We then formed the DNA Brand, a global empowerment organization born in Toronto Canada in 2018 and now a 501(c) 3 operating in Toronto and Nova Scotia Canada, Ghana, Atlanta and Barbados. Coming from a basketball background and years of service experience including Hurricane Katrina relief, my now husband Douglas Johnson is instrumental in our mentorship programs. Today we are so proud to announce that we’ve expanded our business and recently launched our The DNA Brand foundation at the recent first and inaugural DNA Diamond Ball this past March at the Thompson Buckhead. Being able to serve in underserved and under-resourced communities globally is a dream come true for Douglas and I. We really looking forward to impacting more regions for years to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been smooth but slow growth as we self-funded our projects until these years were we held our ball as a fundraising effort to help up with our current initiatives. We enjoy what we do so we looked at small hurdles as just lessons and stepping stones to keep pursuing our goals to really improve lives.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The DNA Brand is a lifestyle brand organization designed to help improve the lives of others in mind, body, soul and finances. Having 8 divisions, we are able to make impacts in areas which we believe help improve the quality of life. I curate unitive projects in various communities and I am a financial literacy advocate and the co-owner of a life insurance agency. I’m known as a mom and a community mom as a positive village for our kids is my paramount consideration. What sets me apart from others is that DNA is made from my passion to serve and not for financial gain. I’m most proud of our DNA foundation and DNA Brand Academy as I’ve seen children with little chance of survival and success in life blossom into educated and English-speaking children with so much gratitude. I want the readers to know that we are 100% authentic, in for the long haul, and grateful for all the support and partnerships that we’ve had and are looking forward to joining hands with others to continue to do what God set out for us to do for those with the most need.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I have been so blessed with mentors in my family and amazing humans I’ve met along the way who have had common goals to empower others. Participation in other community projects has also introduced me to like-minded individuals while making a difference. Learning about shelters, programs and social service initiatives regionally has always directed me to areas in which I can serve to help better the lives of others, one event, one organization, and one community at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thednabrand.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thednabrand?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thednabrand.official?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-dna-brand-group-of-companies/
- Other: Www.thednadiamondball.com
Image Credits
Keith Saunders Photos
