Akili has over 53 years of experience as a labor and community organizer and political leader. He has dedicated his life to social and racial justice and is guided by three core beliefs:

1. People make a difference when you go to them and invite them to get involved

2. The essence of democracy is inclusion and participation

3. We live in the richest country in the world—so we can and should have a just, fair, and equitable society.

He currently serves as:

• Director, Fannie Lou Hamer Institute

• National Field Coordinator Black Lives Matter Grassroots, and Core Team Member, Black Lives Matter – Los Angeles 

• Instructor UCLA Labor Studies Dept. 

Past organizing roles include:

• National Field Director, Social Security Works Campaign

• Western Region Field Director & Senior Manager of Field Training, NAACP

• South LA Field Director and Trainer, Obama for America

• Senior Political/Community Organizer, SEIU Local 1000

• Southern California, Field Director Health Security Campaign 

• National Organizer, Jesse Jackson for President

• Co-Founder & Vice President, United Domestic Workers Union

• Organizer, United Farm Workers Union