Akilah Hamilton is a Visual Artist, Educator and Counselor. Born in Toronto Canada, of Vincentian parentage, and graduated from York University with a major in Sociology.

Akilah is well known for facilitating cultural education, authentic youth engagement and personal capacity building. She is the co-creator of ‘Rise To The Occasion’, a culturally appropriate youth engagement training series for general community members interested in working to support racialized youth. Additionally she has developed a comprehensive capacity building/leadership development volunteer and placement student program for Redemption Reintegration Services. As a result, Akilah was blessed to receive the Ryerson University, School of Social Work MSW Field Instructor of the year 2011/2012 award.

Recently Akilah became an entrepreneur, founding Asha Leaf Tea, a new and unique brand of all natural Caribbean Loose Leaf Tea. The premium Caribbean loose leaf teas are made from delicately hand-picked and sun-dried whole leaves and ingredients. Drawing from Akilah’s extensive experience in the social sector, Asha Leaf Tea specifically works with small scale Caribbean farmers and their local communities. The mission is to generate sustainable income rates and employment for people who may not have access to such opportunities otherwise.

Akilah is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister and aunt. She values her family, cultural heritage, and the principle of self-determination. Akilah is known to carry the essence of her African-Caribbean roots.