By Dianne Anderson

Some local students are getting a chance to learn what they’ll need to compete in the fast-changing workplace, like how machines and technology are doing the work that workers once had to do for themselves.

It’s not a stretch to think that a human in the loop will come in handy for the future.

At Akoma Unity Center, 26 San Bernardino students recently got ahead of the game after graduating from the center’s first Discovering Automation Youth Program, where they showed off projects they built from scratch for local industry professionals and school officials.

Back by popular demand, Akoma is now running another 10 weeks of programming, including digital arts, a youth podcast and poetry program and senior wellness activities.

Even so,  keeping the center in place and thriving hasn’t been easy.

Kimberly Calvin, executive director of Akoma Unity Center and a former city councilmember, wasn’t surprised by the council’s recent tight vote.

“Surprised? No. Saddened? Yes,” she said.

At its Sept. 24 meeting, the City Council approved a new lease, keeping Akoma at the center through June 30, 2029, according to the city. Akoma will pay $2,000 a month, with 10% increases each fiscal year, and will be responsible for utilities, maintenance, janitorial work and insurance.

Calvin said the vote reflected a lack of support for the center’s long-standing work in the community. She also said San Bernardino doesn’t offer enough businesses, entertainment or learning opportunities for youth.

“While on the City Council, I introduced the first ‘Youth City Council,’ and now, sadly, it no longer exists. The city also has no partnerships with local colleges where our youth can intern, build soft skills, and learn how the city works internally,” she said.

For now and the next three years, Akoma has a home for several after-school and academic support programs that are growing well beyond homework help at Anne Shirrells Community Center, the nonprofit’s home at 1367 N. California St.

During the 2025-26 school year, the nonprofit said it served more than 3,000 youth across the San Bernardino, Rialto, Fontana, Colton and Yucaipa school districts. About 500 participated in Akoma’s alcohol and drug prevention program.

This year, Calvin is most proud of Akoma’s first graduating class, which included 26 scholars who presented their projects to industry professionals, School Board Member Felicia Alexander and County School Board President Dr. Gwendolyn Dowdy-Rodgers.

Hands-on learning isn’t a new concept for Akoma. In an earlier water education program, scholars put on lab jackets, tested water quality and took what they learned to present to City Council.

But the center isn’t just helping and training youth.

Later this year, Accessible Automation and Operation New Hope plan to launch a 10-week automation certification program for people returning to the community after incarceration. The program will run Monday through Thursday while the building isn’t being used by scholars.

“We recognize that some of our parents are looking to re-enter the community and need an opportunity to provide for themselves and their families, and that earning an entry-level certification can truly change the trajectory of their lives,” she said.

For senior outreach, “Golden Agers” meets weekly on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The group receives fresh fruits and vegetables twice a month through partnerships with St. Paul AME Church and Beauregard Therapy. The program also focuses on wellness and mental-health awareness.

The building sits within walking distance of more than five schools, which she said is important for the youth Akoma serves. As the organization continues to grow, it also needs more space.

“Akoma has outgrown the property, as our Discovering Automation Lab needs to serve more scholars and expand our equipment,” she said. “We plan to purchase or lease our own building nearby.”

She said that Akoma also has a history of investing in the property. In 2019, the nonprofit contributed $135,000 to the city for improvements to the leased property through a More Attractive Communities Foundation grant. The work included upgrades to the basketball court, landscaping and other recreational areas.

Beyond the nuts and bolts of technology learning, Saturday Sankofa keeps scholars busy with digital arts, laser printing and projects like wooden keychains for their grandparents.

Akoma plans to hold its first Digital Art Sankofa Showcase Oct. 3.  Another program, “Akoma Speaks,” is in the works with a youth podcast and poetry, along with a Young Writers Camp where scholars can experience both in front of, and behind the camera and microphone.

The nonprofit has partners with CSUSB, San Bernardino Valley College, UCR, Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly Pomona, giving scholars opportunities to earn practicum hours for graduation and work-study requirements, she said. They also have MOUs with other youth-serving CBOs, including Operation New Hope, Family Assistance Program, Young Women’s Empowerment and Youth Essential Skills (YES).

Calvin said the center stands as much more than a convenient building, and if the lease hadn’t been renewed, it would have been a big hit to the community.

“The void would have been enormous and detrimental to an already resource-depleted community.”

For more information, see http://akomaunitycenter.org/