Akirah Crawford

Akirah is a proud native of Newark, NJ. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Virginia State University, a Historically Black University in Petersburg, Va. After her first term as an MI student, she accepted a 10 month English Teaching Assistantship with the US Fulbright Program in Malaysia which broadened her mind on the importance of cultural exchange and diplomacy. Upon returning, she left to serve in the Peace Corps as a Youth Development Volunteer in the Kingdom of Eswatini. During her service she worked as co-director of BRO (Boys Reaching Out) male empowerment program and youth facilitator in her community with GLOW (Girls Leading our World) female empowerment program. She has worked extensively with youth in various capacities and settings including youth empowerment clubs, schools, and pre-adjudicated and adjudicated youth. Akirah's desire for seeing more informed and empowered youth of color, strengthened families and healthy communities has led her to Social Work. As a Master's International Student in the School of Social with a focus on Children & Youth in Families, she hopes to gain practical skills to become a more vibrant youth worker, change agent, effective community organizer and citizen of the world.