Support 4 Beloved Community Advocate, Akiko Cooks

We are asking you all to support Akiko on her long recovery journey.

As some may know, our sister, friend and fierce community advocate Akiko Cooks had a transformational and empowering trip to Ghana a few weeks ago:

Unfortunately, she returned with Malaria. It developed into Malaria ARDS at the hospital, leaving her in the hospital for 2 weeks, fighting for her life. Thankfully, Dr. Ronald Shockley, the infectious disease doctor and his infectious disease partners showed up, BIG! Without Dr. Shockley and his partners, Akiko may not have survived. But they knew they needed to save her life so Akiko could continue to do the essential work of gathering community to save others.

Here she is in the ICU just a couple of weeks ago:

Speaking of, Akiko's community (that's all of you!) showed up for her as well, (we had to ask folks to stop visiting so she could rest!) which is why she was able to get through this, gather the strength to get that oxygen out of her nose and fight to get back home, where she belongs, amongst all of us!

Akiko is home now (YAY!!), and her healing process has begun. Akiko is within the 20% who have survived this diagnosis. However, she was left with lasting impacts on her health as well as her overall well being. She will have an extensive rehabilitation and recovery journey and needs community support.

From freeing Black Mamas, to helping to pass state legislation to address racism in schools, to showing up where and when the community is in distress, Akiko has been a consistent leader, a rallying force and a pillar in (and for) her community. Now she looks to us as we've looked to her for strength, love, assistance and support.

Here she is at the NRIS#1865 Gala with co-founder Jshauntae Marshall, looking her fierce, loving self:

While Akiko is healing, she cannot work. She will need help paying bills such as rent, power, gas, car insurance, and groceries. On top of that, she is accumulating extensive medical bills. Due to the impact of Malaria ARDS, she will need to work with specialists to recover. Aside from physical healing, she will also require a mental, psycho-social, emotional, and spiritual recovery.

Akiko's body and spirit has been through something profound and traumatic. Those who know something about trauma realize it doesn’t just disappear from our bodies and souls without intentionality. There is more healing to do than meets the eye, so other costs will be associated with supporting Akiko's journey towards a full recovery. Any amount helps, truly! Please share broadly.