Jessica Lane

Recruitment and Admissions Director, Akilah Institute

One of the biggest things that strikes me about Akilah is how much time and effort are devoted to self-awareness. So exploring personal questions:

What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are your character flaws?

There are a lot of activities within the leadership department that help students understand themselves better, and I think that is hands-down the most unique and special part about Akilah. I’ve never seen another organization set aside that time for a person to reflect on themselves. It allows you to take stock of who you are, where you’re at, and then, coupled with a growth mindset, to change yourself with intention and direction: This is where I’m at, and this is where I want to be. I never knew as a kid that you could change certain aspects of yourself. I just thought, “OK, this is the way I was made, this is how I am.” But Akilah teaches you that you can change parts of yourself, and I think that’s really important.