Deputy Director

Akia S. Callum serves as the Deputy Director for Waterbury Bridge to Success (BTS) Community Partnership.

As a seasoned brand architect, community organizer, political strategist, social justice advocate, trained results-based facilitator, and educator with 10+ years of experience. Akia knows how to move from systems change to systems transformation locally, statewide, and nationally.

In her current role at the organization, Akia focuses on building relational capital through a multichannel, intergenerational, inclusive communications, and community engagement strategy. She prides herself in being the “backbone to the backbone” for BTS actively giving voice to the organization to ‘Build, Transform & Sustain’ the Waterbury community in school, career, and life. She has orchestrated several multi-tiered campaigns with staff and volunteers using active communication to ensure community collaboration focused on the advancement of BIPOC communities. Within the last two years, Akia has increased the visibility of BTS by 692.31% with in-person and virtual events.

A proud daughter of immigrants and a Brooklyn native –– Akia believes relationship-building is key. Her knack for effective and personalized communication tactics enhances her ability to connect with others. She developed a love for community, advocacy, and social justice at a young age through her work in the New York City Council. Since then, Akia founded the Black Student Union at Post University in 2015 and served in various leadership roles at premier organizations, including the NAACP on the state and national levels.

Her extensive experience in community organizing combined with her investment in a collective impact approach to support community-identified needs and interests align with the mission of BTS. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies, and a Master’s of Education with a concentration in curriculum and instruction from Post University, and is a Juris Doctorate Candidate at UCONN Law.