Meet Toni Akin

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Toni Akin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Toni below.

Toni, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I come from a long line of public servants—teachers, nurses, police officers, administrators and advocates—who believed deeply in the power of service. My late mother, Kay Akin, was a tireless voice for public education, as well as fair public housing efforts, during the Boston bus riots of the 1970s. Despite experiencing ferocity from detractors in the housing authority we lived in (not from the residents, but from intimidating outsiders), she stood firm standing in her belief that every child deserves a fair shot of high quality education and stable housing. My late father, Amon Akin, was born into poverty on a farm in Kentucky, and he walked six miles to school every day without shoes. For him, education was not just a pathway—it was hope itself for a better way of life. My Italian immigrant grandmother, Lena, also helped raise me, and after the loss of my parents as a teenager, I had to draw from their resilience. In essence, they taught me the value of education and hard work by being role models. My grandmother bestowed upon me $500 U.S. savings bond with a handwritten note “graduate high school and go to college”. I still have that wrapper today, and it continues to remind me that even in the toughest conditions, belief in something better can carry one forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Being “real” and authentic is imperative to me, the public is tired of phonies. However, I do feel that bold risks are needed to raise awareness and earnest participation in public service. More about me, I grew up in one of the most notorious housing development in New England., and I was faced with the the public’s NIMBY opinion that project residents are lazy, uneducated and troublemakers. Society once cast me as an indigent, fated to fail. But through relentless determination and a commitment to education, I defied expectations and carved out my own path to success—serving across every tier of government, from Federal to Municipal, and building a thriving small business in commercial and residential rental services. Today, I proudly serve as a Commissioner for the Public Housing Authority, and previously held office as a School Board Member in Providence, RI which is New England’s second-largest city. In addition to my public posts, I serve as the current Secretary of Terracorps (an Americorps-affiliated organization) in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and that mission is to focus on land conservation and environmental education as well. I believe it’s vital that our Ocean State remains green and vibrant—not just in spirit, but in the thoughtful design and execution of new housing developments. We can, and must, pursue both development and preservation. While a long-dormant Rhode Island statute in conservation land is sometimes used to hinder much-needed housing initiatives, I believe we can responsibly advance construction efforts while integrating green spaces that enhance our communities and honor our environmental values. Last but not least, I do volunteer work for the Volunteer Service Animals (VSA) Providence Chapter in support of animal welfare and advocating for humane legislation. I grew up surrounded by a variety of animals —parrots, hamsters, dogs, and cats—all of them strays who became cherished companions. Animals deserve our kindness and protection just as much as any living being. Whether wild or domestic, they rely on human compassion to thrive in a world shaped by our choices.

Now, let me take you back to my youth, and I am not going to sugar coat it; my life as a young adult was challenging, marked by the absence of parental support, financial hardship, and periods of unstable housing and food deprivation. Although I graduated from high school after attending summer school, I still ranked in the top 10 of my business class. I give credit to my softball coach for helping me stay focused on my grades, made sure I went to study hall, and that I ate lunch. I credit him for saving my life when he took me to the ER when my appendices burst. My earned diploma then became my launchpad into the business world with clerical and bookkeeping jobs. While I initially pursued art, I had to step away from the community college to earn a living—but I never let that stop me, after all it was my grandmother’s wishes that I carry on in education. Because of that U.S. Savings Bond wrapper, I firmly believe a high school diploma holds just as much value as a college degree. To me, it’s not just a piece of paper—it’s a lifelong achievement and a testament to perseverance. My young adult years were one of the most vulnerable chapters of my life. I take responsibility for surrounding myself with individuals who didn’t have my best interests at heart, leading to ominous situations that I now refer to as my war stories. Yet, I persevered—overcoming adversity, reclaiming my path, and reshaping my future through educational endeavors and hard work. I’m a firm believer that if I could rise above those challenges, anyone can, and one day I hope to publish a memoir (I was told by a good source that it would sell, but I would not do it strictly for profit, but in attempt to help others). My professional journey took a pivotal turn when I secured a position as a Federal subcontractor, opening doors to professional growth with the Department of Transportation, where I contributed to the Automated Asset Tracking Program. My work was recognized by the U.S. Army, and it remains one of the greatest honors of my career. As part of that recognition, I was entrusted with a special mission to Washington, D.C., to deliver satellite equipment. That journey was more than a professional assignment—it was a transformative moment in my life. It prompted me to return to college at night and I earned my degree in Applied Science with high honors. I remain grateful to the U.S. Army for believing in my potential—it was there that my path in public service truly began.

Motivated by the desire to help other students stay focused on their own educational journeys, I decided to work directly in the educational field with my expertise gained as a fiscal and administrative specialist. Around this same time, I met my life partner—my soulmate—and fell in love with them and with the City of Providence, RI where my love has been a lifelong resident. Although I was born in Boston, I never truly felt embraced there. In Providence, I experienced something different: a genuine sense of belonging. I was welcomed and espoused by my partner, by the people of the city, and by the broader Rhode Island community. The kindness of the residents, the quality of life, and the rich diversity of our neighbors made it feel like home in every sense of the word. Now, 26 years later, we’ve built a humble life together centered around service, giving, and being active members of our community. Over time, my commitment to service has expanded beyond our neighborhood—to the state, regional, national, and even on global levels with a recent visit to Nevis to meet with the Premier and his Housing Administrator. Through all of this, one question has remained central to my journey: How does one define community? To me, it’s the shared belief that everyone belongs—that regardless of background or circumstance, we each deserve to be seen, valued, and supported in a space where compassion and collective responsibility guide us forward.

With over 19 years of experience in public service, I see myself as a dedicated advocate for affordable housing and equitable public education—two fundamental pillars that are deeply interconnected and essential to the well-being of our communities. I believe these issues must be addressed through collaborative, nonpartisan efforts that prioritize people over politics. While my heart is in public service, I also recognize the importance of a strong and innovative business community. My own entrepreneurial journey has been both fulfilling and instructive and has shown me firsthand that economic growth and community investment are not mutually exclusive—they depend on each other. This experience has given me insight into contracts, tort law, and the challenges small business owners face every day. I believe our laws and regulatory frameworks must strike a balance to become more business friendly: they should encourage innovation, stability, and sustainable growth across all sectors.

As a newly appointed Commissioner, I am also pleased to see the progress that we have made in public housing in Providence, RI. We are fortunate to have a strong stock of affordable housing supported by a high-quality housing authority and we seek expansion of additional units. What’s especially exciting to me is our growing focus on education, health, and wellness in public housing, something that was not prevalent when I was growing up in the projects. A new early childhood education center is currently under development in partnership with the Shamrock Foundation, and it is a promising step forward. It’s truly heartwarming when esteemed organizations recognize the value of investing in early childhood education—because it’s in those formative years that a lifelong love of learning begins.

In short, public service is not just a profession for me—it is a core part of who I am. I understand that real, lasting change takes time and is often built through small but meaningful victories: a student discovering their voice, a family securing safe and stable housing, a community seeing itself reflected in leadership. These moments inspire hope, keep me grounded, and continually reinforce my commitment to serving others with humility and purpose.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be this: stay grounded and stay humble and be careful of the story you are telling yourself. Don’t waste time comparing yourself to others—there will always be someone with more talent, more knowledge, or more opportunities. Instead, focus on your own path with passion. Be proud of who you are, who you love, and what you do. Discover your passion, lead with kindness—especially toward those who are struggling—and always carry gratitude, even for those whose journey looks different from your own. Be appreciative of those who are successful, and try to learn from them—not for what they have, but for what they choose to do with it.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

As a member of Generation X—and now a bit older—I feel a growing sense that time is of the essence. Like my late mother, I hope to be remembered for work that mattered and for being someone who supported others, especially knowing I came from humble beginnings. I aspire to leave this world with the same humility I started with.

More than anything, I want people to know that if I could achieve success, they can too. It doesn’t come easily—it takes hard work, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning to change your circumstances. Be bold. Keep going. You’re capable of more than you think.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.toniakin.com
• Facebook: www,facebook.com/toni.d.akin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonidakin
• Twitter: @toni_d_akin

Image Credits

These are all my own photographs of various state and national and international leaders, conferences attended and awards received.