Toni Akin comes from a long line of public servants—teachers, nurses, police officers and advocates—who instilled in her deep belief in the power of service. With over 19 years of experience in public administration across Federal, State, County, and Municipal levels, she has focused on fiscal and administrative functions. Growing up in public housing during the tumultous 1970's bus riots, and then losing her parents as a teenager, Toni had to attend summer school to earn her Diploma, but she still graduated within the top 10 of her business class.  Thus, she views graduating high school as a major life achievement, and credits her softball coach for encouraging her to persevere. She began a Liberal Arts program at her local community college but had to drop out to support herself, facing instability and even homelessness after being evicted by the Housing Authority as she was no longer on the contract. She shares that those years were filled with hardship—being indigent, LGBTQ and parentless, and surrounded by fake friends that did not have her best interest at heart.  Eventually, through gaining work in clerical jobs, she found stability and began working as a Federal sub-contractor at the Volpe National Transportation Center, supporting engineers installing satellite communication systems worldwide. Her contributions were recognized by the U.S. Army for her work on the Automated Global Asset Tracking Program, and their support inspired her to return to college at night, where she earned her degree with high honors. Toni recognizes this honor as a major career achievement, and will always be grateful to her Army family for having confidence in her professional capabilities. Today, Toni is a passionate advocate for improving public education and affordable housing throughout Rhode Island, in New England, and around the nation. In a recent interview, she stated, "As a current Commissioner for Public Housing and a former School Board member, I understand the interconnectedness of these two vital sectors, and advocating for their adequate funding and accessibility is important now more than ever.  I also know that the not in my backyard mentality on public housing is a tangible reality.  What lingers is the perception of residents as being uneducated, nefarious and indolent in society”.  Toni has been working to challenge that misconception, yet real change takes time, but for her it's built on small wins: a student finding their voice, a family securing housing, a community seeing itself in leadership. While her heart lies in public advocacy, she also believes in cultivating a robust business community, emphasizing that economic growth and community investment are not opposing forces—it is a hand-in-hand partnership that must thrive together. 

Toni is a frequent guest on podcasts, television programs, and at community events, where her inspiring life story and dedicated work in the government sector seems to resonate deeply with audiences. As the current Commissioner for Public Housing and a former School Board Member in Rhode Island, and a former Commissioner to Qualify Public Oath in Massachusetts, she has championed safe housing, quality education, and greater dignity and opportunity for underserved communities. Drawing from her extensive work experience, in both the public and private sector, Toni understands that meaningful change requires long-term commitment. Feel free to reach out to Toni Akin @ Takin894@gmail.com or https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonidakin/ for collaborations, speaking engagements, interviews, mentorships —or simply to say hello and connect with a passionate advocate for community empowerment.