MANA is committed to empowering and uplifting the African-American Muslim community. We are planning the second series of planning sessions for our three working groups under the banner of our two-year Initiative to Strengthen Families of African-American Muslims (ITSFAAM). Those three groups are:
Healthy Marriages:
The Healthy Marriage working group focuses on setting goals to increase healthy marriages as the cornerstone for creating a stable and thriving community.
| The next session for the Healthy Marriage Working Group is Sunday, January 28th. |
Youth Engagement
The Youth Engagement working group places a strong emphasis on finding ways to engage and empower the youth within the community successfully.
| The Youth Engagement Working Group was held on January 24th. |
Young Adult Leadership:
The Young Adult Leadership working group recognizes the importance of nurturing the leadership potential of young adults within the African-American Muslim community and is working on setting achievable goals to meet this important objective.
| The next session for the Young Adult Leadership Working Group is Feb 4th. |
By focusing on these three key initiatives as part of MANA’s two-year Initiative to Strengthen Families of African-American Muslims (ITSFAAM), we aim to create a supportive and nurturing environment that enables individuals and families to thrive spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Through these efforts, we want to build a strong, resilient community that is equipped to address the unique challenges and opportunities we face while also contributing positively to the broader society.
Akanke is an Atlanta native who grew up in a non-religious family. In her late twenties, she embraced Islam after an unexpected introduction to the faith while training as a television producer. She volunteered to help as a camera operator on a live talk show featuring Muslim guests and was captivated by the insightful discussions surrounding Islam. Encouraged by her fellow producer colleagues, she attended Friday prayers and began reading the Quran, ultimately finding profound inspiration that solidified her decision to convert. This transformative experience ignited a lifelong passion for spirituality and personal growth rooted in her faith.
She holds a degree in Communication from Georgia State University, specializing in film, television, and anthropology. Her diverse career includes roles as a television and radio producer, life coach, voiceover artist, and abstract painter. During a decade spent in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Akanke refined her public speaking and leadership skills, mentoring women through two women-only Toastmasters clubs she founded. Above all, she emphasizes spirituality as the cornerstone of self-actualization, advocating for a life devoted to Allah. She believes personal growth and lasting success stem from a strong, loving relationship with Him.
Since 2007, Akanke has been involved with MANA in various capacities. She currently serves as Board Vice President and part-time Director of Communications.
