Embracing the values of social justice and the encouragement of learning, senior African American Studies major and future law student, Dakota Connor, has created a brand that not only focuses on helping those who are less fortunate, but also strives to create growth and promote the importance of education.
What is Akachi?
Akachi is a non-profit business I started last summer under the premise of providing affordable fitness watches, and in return using that money to give inspirational books to children in Ghana through the non-profit organization, Read For Kids Donate To Kids. This organization focuses on strengthening the educational standards in the rural areas of Ghana. Many of the children in Ghana do not own books and Read For Kids believes it is important to ensure that these children are receiving basic educational materials such as books.
For every watch that is purchased, one of the following books will be donated to a child in Ghana: “The Power of Positive Thinking,” by Norman Vincent Peale, “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho, or “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind,” by Joseph Murphy.
Why did you choose the organization Read For Kids Donate To Kids?
This past summer I started reading a lot of books such as the three being donated, and saw that the knowledge that I had gained through reading these books stayed with me and totally changed my perspective and allowed me to be more of a positive person. Therefore, I decided I wanted to start a business and give to a charity. I chose Read For Kids Donate To Kids specifically because my good friend Kwuaku Kaufor’s family started the foundation and I learned more about the organization through him.
What made you decide to create a watch?
I wanted to donate something that is going to stick with people longer than just a meal, even though we have to eat and physically take care of our bodies; our minds also have to be nourished with some sort of positivity and encouragement as well. Being given a book and the knowledge that comes with it is going to be something that will stay with someone forever and can change the course of their life.
I chose to create a watch because I love watches and I love time. Time here is all you have, and you can lose money and you can get money back, but you can’t get time back. So the reason I started Akachi is when you look at your watch and check it to remind yourself of the time, you are reminded that it is your time. Buying this watch you also keep in mind that you contributed to a charitable source and changed someone’s life just by giving them that spark of encouragement and positivity.
Why did you choose the name Akachi?
Akachi, meaning “God’s Hands,” is Nigerian in origin and is attributed to the motherland, but more importantly we are all hands of God in the sense that our effect of other people is the most valuable currency that we have.
How can others get involved?
Follow Akachi Band on Facebook and Instagram, and like the Facebook page, which will promote awareness. I am in the process of putting up a website that people can order from, but if you are interested in ordering a watch right now you can order through Facebook by sending a message. It is $20 per watch and you can chose from white or black (more colors to come).
What are your future goals for Akachi?
My future goals for Akachi are to continue to promote awareness. I am currently in the works of collaborating with Trombone Shorty, a jazz band from New Orleans that is willing to promise Akachi and spread awareness. I would also like to visit Ghana and talk to the kids at the school and those who have already passed through and ask them what one of their favorite lines is from one of the books contributed. Â
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