Akoma Unity Center

What Akoma Unity Center does

Akoma Unity Center is a California-registered nonprofit community organization headquartered at 1367 N. California Street, San Bernardino, California, operating since 2017 with 21 staff. It functions as a physical community hub delivering free educational, cultural, wellness, and youth development programs to residents of San Bernardino, with all services provided at no cost to participants. Its primary constituents are youth ages 6–17 (the largest segment), teens seeking mental health support, seniors 55+ through its Golden Agers program, and families, with hybrid segmentation across persona-based and community-based groups.

The center runs a diversified program portfolio organized under two sub-brands: Akoma Unity Center (community, culture, empowerment) and Akoma Learning Center (STEM, creativity, growth). Named programs include Sankofa Saturday Learning Center (weekend cultural heritage and STEM education), Anne Shirrells Community Garden (urban agriculture producing 16 harvests annually), ADAPP (drug and alcohol prevention) and an associated Teen Mental Health Program (reaching 100+ youth), Industrial Automation & Robotics Lab (eight-week robotics and 3D printing curriculum delivered with Accessible Automation), Golden Agers (senior engagement with 65% participation), Akoma Speaks (youth podcast platform on YouTube), Expanded Learning Programs (after-school partnership with SBCUSD at five named schools), Drip'd Squad (water conservation, 45 students trained), Girl Scout Troop #1419, and seasonal day camps. Core technology is limited to standard community-center operations with no proprietary platform, API, or AI/ML infrastructure.

Akoma Unity Center does not sell products or services in a commercial sense; all programs are free. Its operating revenue is sourced from charitable donations, volunteer support, government and SBCUSD partnership funding, and corporate and foundation sponsorship (San Manuel, Edison, SoCal Gas, AT&T, IECF, Rotary, Big Wheel Coaching, Susan G. Komen). Distribution occurs on-site at the San Bernardino headquarters and through SBCUSD school-site after-school programs. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on grassroots engagement, parent and educator referrals, school partnerships, and community events rather than paid acquisition. The organization publishes an Impact Report, actively hosts events in 2025, and operates as a going concern with no parent company, subsidiary relationships, or external investment.

Name

Akoma Unity Center

Legal name

Akoma Unity Center

Website

https://akomaunitycenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Akoma Unity Center is a San Bernardino, California nonprofit operating free youth, family, senior, and mental health programs from a single community hub. It delivers STEM, cultural, and wellness services across 75+ SBCUSD schools via donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Youth and Family Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAAFAB

Community Center Education Programs

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Community & Public Education Programs (Libraries, Community Centers)

SECONDARYEDAMALAB

Academic Enrichment Camps (General Studies)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Summer & Holiday Enrichment Camps (Multi-Activity, Academic)

Keywords

• Community youth programs
• Youth education services
• After-school enrichment
• Senior wellness programs
• Community mental health support

Headquarters

HQ city

San Bernardino, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts charitable donations from individuals, community members, and supporters to fund programs and operations.
2. Volunteer and Community Support: Community members contribute time and resources through volunteering to support program delivery.
3. Partnership Funding: Funding received from partnerships with school districts (SBCUSD), government grants, and corporate sponsors to sustain programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Akoma Unity Center operates a free community hub in San Bernardino delivering youth education (STEM, robotics, cultural learning, podcasting), teen mental health and substance-abuse prevention, senior wellness (Golden Agers), and family programming (community garden, Girl Scouts, seasonal day camps). Programs are delivered on-site at its center and through after-school Expanded Learning partnerships with SBCUSD schools, with no fees charged to participants.

Product overview

Akoma Unity Center operates as a community center organization with two main sub-brands: Akoma Unity Center (focused on community, culture, and empowerment) and Akoma Learning Center (focused on STEM, creativity, and growth). The organization offers multiple distinct programs including Sankofa Saturday Learning Center for weekend youth education, Anne Shirrells Community Garden for urban agriculture, ADAPP and Teen Mental Health Program for substance abuse prevention and wellness, Industrial Automation & Robotics Lab for STEM education, Golden Agers for seniors 55+, Akoma Speaks youth podcast for communication and leadership, Expanded Learning after-school programs, Seasonal Day Camps, Girl Scouts Troop #1419, and Drip'd Squad water conservation program. These programs serve youth, families, and seniors across San Bernardino with educational, cultural, and wellness offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Akoma Learning Center: STEM education and learning programs for youth, featuring creative growth opportunities.

Products and services

• Sankofa Saturday Learning Center Free weekend cultural heritage and learning program for youth ages 6-17 featuring STEM maker stations, digital design, health sciences, and engineering activities, with meals included.
• Anne Shirrells Community Garden Free urban agriculture and nature-based learning program where children, teens, and families learn sustainability, teamwork, and food security through hands-on gardening, producing 16 harvests per year for local families.
• ADAPP (Akoma's Youth Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program) Free substance abuse prevention program providing education, counseling, and therapeutic activities that help teens develop coping mechanisms and resilience against external pressures.
• Teen Mental Health Program Free youth wellness program offering mental health resources, counseling, peer support, and access to the Youth Wellness Room for emotional regulation, with 95% of participants reporting improved mental health and stronger coping skills.
• Industrial Automation & Robotics Lab Free STEM education program delivered in partnership with Accessible Automation offering an eight-week curriculum teaching robotics, sensors, 3D printing, and automation systems to youth.
• Golden Agers Free weekly senior community program for adults 55+ (the homepage references 60+) offering gatherings with art therapy, digital literacy, exercise and wellness, and civic engagement activities.
• Akoma Speaks Youth Podcast Free youth-led podcast platform where teens plan, produce, and host episodes on topics including mental health, social justice, and community stories.
• Expanded Learning Programs Free after-school enrichment programs delivered in partnership with SBCUSD at Rio Vista, Hunt, Inghram Elementary, Del Vallejo Middle School, and Cajon High School featuring STEAM projects, arts, and leadership workshops.
• Seasonal Day Camps Free summer, spring, and winter break day camps featuring outdoor activities, creative arts, nature exploration, team-building, science experiments, and field trips for youth.
• Girl Scouts Troop #1419 Free Girl Scout troop providing leadership development, STEM workshops, community service, and badge projects for young girls in San Bernardino, with 25 active members raising $3,000 in one cycle.
• Drip'd Squad Free youth-led water conservation initiative teaching environmental awareness through hands-on activities, community challenges, and educational outreach, with 45 students having trained and presented findings to local councils.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of teen mental health program participants report improved mental health and stronger coping skills
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing Expanded Learning after-school programs at Rio Vista, Hunt, Inghram Elementary, Del Vallejo Middle School, and Cajon High School. Ensures seamless integration with school curriculum and comprehensive educational support.
• Sunrise/CAPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in providing Expanded Learning Programs that offer after-school enrichment activities for students.
• Accessible AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering the Discovering Automation youth program with an eight-week free curriculum covering robotics, sensors, and automation. Provides real-world tech equipment and industry-aligned instruction.
• Beauregard TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services partnership providing walk-in therapy for children, teens, and families. Offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychoeducation, family counseling, and teletherapy. Located in Colton, CA serving San Bernardino and Colton families.
• Susan G. Komen For The CureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk partnership. Joint event hosted at Anne Sherril Park with community resource fair.
• Dreams Training FacilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth mentorship and wellness organization founded by former Akoma member Tawon Green. Partners on events, fairs, and programming to support San Bernardino youth.
• Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing community health resources and support.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Police Athletic League (PAL): Youth enrichment organization operating community centers with educational, athletic, and cultural programs in underserved urban areas — comparable operating model and target population.
• Communities In Schools: School-based nonprofit integrating support services (academic, mental health, basic needs) directly inside public schools — comparable SBCUSD-adjacent school-based delivery model.
• 4-H (National 4-H Council): Youth development organization offering STEM, leadership, and community service programs through local clubs — comparable in volunteer-driven youth programming and STEM focus.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National federation of youth community centers offering after-school enrichment, STEM, and mentorship — directly comparable to Akoma's youth programming and free-to-participant model.
• YMCA of the USA: Community-based organization offering youth, senior, and family programming through local branches — closely comparable in mission, multi-generational scope, and funding mix.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing comprehensive after-school programs in underserved schools — directly comparable to Akoma's SBCUSD Expanded Learning Programs model.

Regional players

• LA's BEST: Los Angeles-based after-school program operating inside LAUSD elementary schools — comparable after-school enrichment model in a different Southern California district.

Broad incumbents

• Junior Achievement USA: Large national organization delivering workforce-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy in schools — broader incumbent with overlapping STEM and youth programming themes.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: Youth-mentorship nonprofit with site-based and community-based programs — partial overlap with Akoma's mentorship and youth development programming.
• Aspira of California: California-based nonprofit providing educational and leadership development for Latino and underserved youth — overlapping mission in cultural-identity programming for BIPOC youth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKUIW4GOE_FRnJ5Hmwq5ZTQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/AkomaUnityCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/akomaunitycenter_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akomaunitycenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Akoma Unity Center