About Us » Staff
Akia Harris - Match Manager
Akia is a positive-life advocate who has a passion for helping others achieve the life they dream of. Joining our team in September 2022, Akia’s goal is simple; to positively impact the lives of youth by assisting in cultivating a strong-minded, intelligent, and confident generation.
As a former youth counselor, Akia’s passion for youth development and wellness is not a new journey. She served as a panelist at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Center for Excellence Behavioral Health Policy Academy, spearheaded a university-wide mental health awareness initiative at her alma mater, received certification in Mental Health First Aid, and currently coaches a girls’ volleyball team.
As a match manager, Akia supports our program team by cultivating relationships with our 11th – 12th grade students and mentors and assists with the overall coordination of our one-on-one mentoring program.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity I have here at Winning Futures to continue inspiring and uplifting the youth,” said Akia. “The work we do is so important. We’re giving the next generation of leaders the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and make a difference in their communities. I’m glad to be a part of this mission.”
Akia was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. After 18 years in the city, she attended Cheyney University, the nation’s first historically Black college, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, played on their volleyball and tennis teams, and was a member of PSI-CHI, the International Honor Society of Psychology. She now lives in Sterling Heights where she enjoys spending time with her loved ones and giving back to her community by coaching and mentoring young athletes - making sure to never forget her roots.