From Akoma Unity Center to UTSA
When a young person rises to meet their dreams, it is never a story written alone. For Ahamad Chapman, that truth rings loud and clear. Ahamad, a long-time member of Akoma Unity Center, has recently signed to play football at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). While his athletic achievement is remarkable, the deeper story is about the community that surrounded him, invested in him, and believed in him every step of the way.
Ahamad, his twin brother, and younger sister first joined Akoma Unity Center in 2016. From programs like Drum and Dance, to Rites of Passage, to the EXL academic programs, Akoma was there to nurture their growth. These programs were more than extracurricular activities. They were a foundation that reinforced discipline, cultural pride, academic focus, and community connection. As Ahamad moved from playing football at Cajon High School, to San Bernardino Valley College and Riverside City College, and now to UTSA, the Akoma family was always close by, cheering him on. This is not only his victory. It is a village celebration.
Join us in celebrating his journey, and discover how Akoma Unity Center continues to transform futures in San Bernardino.
The Power of Long-Term Investment
Ahamad is one of many Akoma youth who have gone on to pursue big dreams. Each story, whether it is in athletics, academics, or personal growth, demonstrates the importance of building community infrastructure that sustains young people over time. For Black and Brown youth in San Bernardino, Akoma is more than a program. It is a lifeline, a cultural anchor, and a place where futures are rewritten.
Ahamad’s success highlights what happens when a community commits to walking alongside its youth for the long haul. For nearly a decade, Akoma’s programs helped shape his journey. The Rites of Passage program instilled values of responsibility and leadership. Drum and Dance connected him to cultural expression and discipline. EXL supported academic growth and confidence. Each step built upon the last, creating a pathway for Ahamad to succeed on and off the field.
Stories like Ahamad’s remind us that real impact takes time. It requires consistent investment, not only in the talents of young people, but also in their character, education, and sense of belonging. That steady presence is what makes Akoma more than an afterschool program. It is a foundation for life.
A Celebration of Success and Effort
Ahamad’s story is not just about sports. It is about legacy. His journey shows what becomes possible when a village comes together to support its children. Akoma has always been more than a center; it is a community hub where families find strength and youth find purpose. The Chapman family’s years of involvement are a powerful example of how families and community organizations can work together to raise leaders, scholars, and athletes.
This moment is not only about one young man moving on to the next stage of his football career. It is also about the hundreds of youth who look to him as proof that dreams can be achieved when surrounded by love, culture, and support. His signing to UTSA is a milestone that belongs to all of San Bernardino.
The Village Wins Together
From Cajon High to San Bernardino Valley College and Riverside City College, and now UTSA, Ahamad’s journey is a living example of what Akoma Unity Center stands for: empowerment, culture, and resilience. His victory is a shared one, a celebration of community love and support. At Akoma, when one youth rises, the village rises with them.
Celebrate this milestone with us, and help ensure that more young people have the opportunity to follow their dreams. Support Akoma Unity Center today and be part of building the next generation of leaders.
