PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — At just 18 years old, Akayla Brown is pretty confident about what she wants out of life.
“Everything I ever dreamed of or thought I could be, it’s happening,” she said.
Her vision began at 13. With her mother’s help, she founded her own nonprofit, called Dimplez 4 Dayz.
As a young dance student, “everybody in Philly always called me Dimples,” she said, because of her deep-set indentations. But her mother encouraged her to do something more than just dance — something she was equally as passionate about.
According to the organization, Dimplez 4 Dayz is “dedicated to empowering the youth voice and reducing youth violence in Philadelphia by promoting the resources and programs that can enable young people to build confidence and fulfill their potential. The meaning behind the name and our cause is to support and encourage individuals to smile behind adversity, turning dreams into reality.”
“I saw there was nothing for the youth,” Brown added. “I wanted to be that informational source, but not even just that. I wanted to be a role model, someone who people could look up to and say, ‘She’s always on her game.’ ”
She decided to use her Instagram account as a place where youth could find information. Then, it evolved.
Dimplez 4 Dayz started with an annual book bag drive. Brown loved what it felt like to provide resources and help kids like her. So, the effort grew even more. She soon started organizing monthly events. She put together a talent show, empowerment workshops, school supplies and voter registration drives, a dinner for homeless people, and much more.
“Everything is youth-focused and youth-led,” she enthused. “I wanted to show what we could do without the help of adults.”
During high school, Brown organized a Black History Month program, a women’s empowerment brunch and a pop-up event for young entrepreneurs. The group also attended demonstrations and actions, fighting to stop gun violence.
“The city invests so much on the back end with prisons and stuff,” she said, “but what about investing on the front end to support youth before things happen.”
Brown’s effort inspired her 13-year-old sister, Maria, to create her own nonprofit for young girls, called Royalty Eatz, which leads discussions on self-care and positive mindsets.
Brown attributes her success to the support of her family, community and peers. Her biggest supporter is her mother.
“I feel like she found a light in me,” Brown said, “and I just found a dream.”
She said the next step for Dimplez 4 Dayz will be a workforce development program. She received a grant that allows her to pay young people to learn job-readiness skills, like resume writing, interview practice and work-appropriate dress.
“Im excited and I’m proud,” said Brown, adding it will be the biggest thing her nonprofit has done. “It’s been a lot of happy tears and a lot of hard work.”
As she prepares for college — she graduates from high school in May — Brown is also preparing to broaden Dimplez 4 Dayz.
“My nonprofit will come with me and I plan to expand. It goes where I go.”
She hopes its legacy continues to resonate with her younger siblings as they create their own organizations. In the meantime, Brown is changing the game by creating smiles and positive vibes throughout her community.
KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors 10 individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. KYW community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg will host a virtual evening honoring this year’s awardees on Feb. 24.
For a full list of 2021 honorees, click here.