Did you know that education is one of the strongest predictors of health and well-being? Healthy People 2030 reminds us that people with higher levels of education live longer and healthier; however, in the US, college graduation rates and reading and math skill proficiency are getting worse, not better.
Educational Attainment Pays Off
As education increases, weekly earnings increase, and unemployment rates decrease. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm
Educational Opportunities at AKA
At AKA, we see the hope created in a family or community when someone earns a college degree and begins working in their chosen field. As one elder told me, it is not just that person or their family celebrating graduation; it is the entire community, those living, and those who have gone on. We believe in this, and our time and intentions are focused on creating opportunities for the next generation of health workers. AKA has taught and trained students at various levels for over two decades- impacting more than 300 students, families, and communities. This work has been published and is known by people in the field.
Legacy Work at AKA
We believe mentoring is part of a legacy work paradigm that will leave something behind when all is said and done. AKA's goal this year is to mentor 15 students and community members in transformative research and evaluation. This means creating opportunities for students and others to join the circle of our work.
We are thrilled to welcome Master of Public Health (MPH) interns from the University of North Carolina Greensboro to the AKA team.
Kesiena Abeke is drawn to AKA’s mission of promoting health equity and improving public health outcomes across the United States. She’s excited about the opportunity to learn and empower communities through evidence-based and systems thinking. Kesiena has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She’s worked as a Medical Officer, Project Coordinator, and Volunteer.
Yolanda Ikazoboh is passionate about advocating for children and families and community health education, which aligns closely with AKA’s mission. She’s excited about the opportunity to engage in digital health communications, mixed-method research, and evidence-based health strategies that will positively impact the communities that AKA serves.
Kesiena and Yolanda will be working closely with the AKA team to evaluate the Native PRIDE, Good Road of Life Training with Doya Natsu Healing Center, and create social media and health-focused communications plans for our partners at OU School of Medicine and the Sacred Circle Toolkit. Kesiena and Yolanda will also support the evaluation of the Good Medicine Keepers grant and training program, the Pueblo of Pojoaque Needs Assessment, and other projects as they arise.
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