Team AAKOMA
At The AAKOMA Project, we are committed to building a dynamic community of Youth of Color mental health advocates. Following the efforts of the youth-led design process of our previous cohorts, Team AAKOMA led media campaigns and participated in advocacy trainings to empower diverse youth leaders with focus on the important topics of bodily autonomy, positivity, and neutrality for girls and gender-expansive People of Color. Over the course of 2024-2025, we integrated these crucial themes and launched virtual platforms for greater impact in local schools and nationwide.
Into its third year, Team AAKOMA is actively closing the gap in mental health resources for young people, creating a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Team AAKOMA members hold various roles and responsibilities geared towards the development of Youth of Color informed mental health education and content.
Team AAKOMA has served as expert consultants on public service announcements and campaigns focused on mental health issues affecting Youth and Young Adults of Color.
Partnering with multiple major corporations, Team AAKOMA has designed and developed a plan to create a virtual culturally relevant safe space for Youth of Color to promote healthy conversations around mental health.
Real Talk, Real Stories: Team AAKOMA’s Mental Health Journey
Hear Amira’s Journey to Finding the Right Therapist
Jasmine’s Guide to Navigating Mental Health
Yewande’s Advice on Self-Validation
Mental Health Tips: The STOP Method with Nima
Since our inception, AAKOMA has built and maintained relationships with intersectional Youth of Color (inclusive of youth with disabilities and LGBTQAI+ youth) advisors. At The AAKOMA Project, we are improving culturally relevant awareness and acceptance around mental health and mental health care while empowering Youth and Young Adults of Color to engage with their communities. Team AAKOMA has co-led this effort with activities like virtual summer mindfulness meditation groups, interviewing teen mental health advocates on our socials, assisting with our research, and sharing our research findings via peer-to-peer activations. Join us on this journey and stay tuned to learn how you can join us (or support a young person in joining our team) in 2025.
RECENT PHOTOS
Team AAKOMA
FEATURED event
2023 AAKOMA Project Sneaker Gala
In July 2023, The AAKOMA Project hosted our inaugural Sneaker Gala to raise funding for our work and to celebrate the achievements and hard work of our initial class of Team AAKOMA teens and young adults. The gala allowed our Team AAKOMA leaders to showcase a design council project that they created to support intersectional diverse youth mental health.
Our sponsors
At The AAKOMA Project, we deeply value our sponsors who generously share their resources, expertise, and support to advance the mental health of intersectional Youth and Young Adults of Color. We appreciate our amazing partners!
