Akilah Watkins
From Oakland, Akilah’s first term of AmeriCorps service was as a fellow at Public Allies, a non-profit organization that focuses on building capacity and leadership development. It was there that she really got the chance to foster her love of early childhood education after being placed at the Oakland Youth Chorus. Akilah carried that passion with her as she started her second service term at Reading Partners! She was placed at Madison Park Academy Primary and began to form a great relationship with the amazing school community as a Program Coordinator at the reading center! While serving at this site, Akilah was able to professionally develop in the areas of working with a team with different titles and responsibilities which ultimately led her to become a program manager. Akilah’s favorite children’s book right now is, “Dragons Love Tacos”.