Akiera (she/her) grew up surrounded by adults who had their own unresolved issues with food. When her obsession with food and her body grew stronger, she believed it couldn’t be an eating disorder — she just had a “little food problem” and could stop anytime she wanted to. Besides, at that time everyone "knew" that non-White people didn’t get eating disorders.

It took longer a long time for her to acknowledge her eating disorders and find the right people who could help her heal her trauma in a way that made sense to her, and fit with her upbringing/culture.

In 2021, she had met more BIPOC than she could count who were struggling with food and said “I don’t know where to get regular help from people that look like me” -- so she co-built that space.

Akiera's career has spanned the gamut of social impact, and she brings experience as a facilitator, consultant, and in developing partnerships in the U.S. and abroad.

Pronouns: She/Her