Stéphane Akoki
Elevate Founder
The Change Maker from Côte d'Ivoire
Stéphane Akoki is a true hero in his community, determined to create a brighter future for the Ivorian people. His non-profit organization, Elevate, is paving the way for a sustainable and self-sufficient society in Côte d'Ivoire.
The Daily Universe has featured his incredible story, igniting a spark of motivation within you. Witness the power of one person's passion and dedication to make a difference.
Discover more about Stéphane's journey by reading the full story on the Daily Universe website. Click on the link below and be inspired to create positive change in the world today.
Our Mission
To empower underprivileged Ivorians, enabling them to achieve self-reliance and pursue prosperity. By providing access to quality job opportunities, we aim to elevate their potential and improve their lives.
Our Mission
To empower underprivileged Ivorians, enabling them to achieve self-reliance and pursue prosperity. By providing access to quality job opportunities, we aim to elevate their potential and improve their lives.
Our Strategy
Economic Empowerment
Our primary strategy is to provide every Ivorian with viable economic opportunities that allow them to earn a minimum of $500 per month. This amount, which is five times the minimum wage, is carefully determined to enable individuals and small families to afford essential necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. By focusing on income generation, we aim to break the cycle of poverty and create pathways towards a better quality of life.
Education
In order to facilitate this transition, we offer comprehensive support systems that extend beyond financial assistance. We understand that true empowerment involves addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by underprivileged Ivorians. Therefore, we provide access to resources, training programs, and mentorship opportunities that equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen fields.
Collaboration
We collaborate with local communities, businesses, and educational institutions in Utah to create a network of support that fosters long-term success.
Why Jobs ?
Breaking the cycle of poverty
A good job has the power to uplift entire families, breaking free from the constraints of poverty. With 39.5 percent of the population being poor. Job opportunities provide the freedom to escape daily stresses related to basic needs.
These are some benefits of a good job :
Removes the stress of financial burden.
Provides relief from the daily stress of being unable to afford food and shelter.
Breaks the cycle of poverty for an entire family.
Creates a powerful ripple effect that impacts all aspects of life for good (life expectancy, education, health care and overall well-being...)
Better healthcare and education
Families with access to healthcare can enjoy improved health outcomes and longer life expectancy. Children can receive better education, enhancing their future earning potential and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Prevention of debauched activities
By providing for families' basic needs, we discourage children from engaging in illicit activities driven by desperation, such as theft, prostitution, online scams, or drug dealing.
Leadership
Stéphane Akoki
Stéphane's passion for helping others is deeply rooted in his upbringing, inspired by his mother's values of sharing, even when resources were scarce. His journey to transform his homeland began in 2011, when he returned to his country after serving as a religious volunteer abroad for two years. He was confronted with a nation grappling with civil strife and teetering on the brink of economic collapse. The hardships he, along with his friends and family, faced in the quest for employment sparked his determination to find ways to aid his fellow citizens where the government had fallen short. Stéphane embarked on a personal mission to glean insights from the world's finest literature and successful nations to achieve this noble objective. His experiences living in China, coupled with his studies and work in the USA, have provided him with a broad and insightful perspective, arming him with the knowledge and skills required to contribute to the development of his homeland.
Harmonie Borden
Harmonie’s passion for helping others and relentless work ethic led her into a 13 year career doing case work for the US Military. During that time she was able to build her skill set in teaching, exploring, and providing resources to our service members and their families. As her contract with the military slowly ended, Harmonie soon realized she’d freed her time to continue focusing on what’s most important to her; family. Going into the real estate industry was perfect for her! Not only is she a Real Estate Sales Agent she is a Full-Time Investor who understands both spectrums.
In a short period of time Harmonie has become diverse in Real Estate Investing; having buy & holds, Commercial Real Estate (Syndications), Private Money Lender and helping others become home owners. In addition to having a strong work ethic, Harmonie enjoys the thrill of adventure. When she isn’t helping her community, you can find Harmonie nose-deep in adventure. Whether it’s going on road trips, fishing, or riding her Harley, you’ll never fail to see the sparkle in her eye when she’s able to explore.
Christopher Borden
First and foremost, I'm a proud father, grandfather, and husband, blessed with 25 wonderful years of marriage, three incredible children, and a truly remarkable grandson. Originally hailing from Hawai’i, I served as President of the state's second-largest retail food chain and as Vice President and CMO of its parent company. For over 27 years, I specialized in creating operational, financial, and marketing strategies. My team and I were honored with numerous awards from the state of Hawaii and have even been recognized by Forbes as one of the top 10 employers in the state in 2019.
In 2021, my wife and I chose a life-altering path. Leaving our W2 careers behind, we moved from Hawai’i to Utah to be closer to our family. While my background is rich in real estate and finance, my heart is committed to philanthropy and serving communities in need. This dedication led us to establish an impactful initiative in Côte d'Ivoire, aiming to bring transformative economic opportunities to underserved communities.
Instead of just generating returns on investment, our focus has shifted toward creating a lasting social impact. We're currently committed to employing 1,000 virtual assistants within 16 months, providing livelihoods and opening doors for those who are eager but lack the opportunity to showcase their potential. Our mission goes beyond business; it’s about building legacies, uplifting communities, and adding value to society.
We have redirected our expertise from generating profits to generating positive change, and it's here in this meaningful work that we find our deepest satisfaction and purpose.
Assama Sandrine Melissa Akoki
was born on April 26th in Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. She pursued university studies at Edhec Cocody and ASTC Plateau, specializing in human resources and communication.
Inspired by the fundamental value of a desire to help others, passed down by her mother, AKOKI Melissa has always sought to positively contribute to the lives of those around her.
Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she has a passion for travel and exploring new cultures, integrating world exploration and continuous learning into her lifestyle.
Her professional journey includes various roles, such as being an events promoter at Media Polis in 2016, where she promoted BONNET ROUGE products. She also served as an assistant for specific training at the Ivorian Refining Company from January 2018 to January 2019, involved in the development of employee training programs, file management, and practice supervision.
Between December 2019 and June 2021, she dedicated herself to proselytism in a religious mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her responsibilities included public relations, time management, training, team management, and planning.
More recently, in October 2021, AKOKI worked as an events host at Twins Services Pro, promoting PRINCESSE brand products.
On the academic front, she earned a Professional Master's in HR at ASTCI in 2018, preceded by a Professional Bachelor's in Marketing and Communication in 2016 at EIT-NTIC. Her academic journey also includes an HR and Communication DUT from 2013 to 2015 at EIT-NTIC, following her completion of a Series D Baccalaureate in 2013 at the LAVOISIER School Institute.
Currently, AKOKI Assama Sandrine Melissa is continuing her studies at ELC Brigham Young University in Orem, Utah.
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