About Us

MISSION STATEMENT:

Empowering Communities through impactful service, one project at a time.

OUR DETAILED MISSION:

At Misstakenid Gives Back Foundation, our mission is to cultivate a culture of compassion and community engagement by facilitating pop-up community service initiatives and promoting volunteerism. We believe in the transformative power of collective action and strive to create meaningful opportunities for individuals to contribute to the well-being of their communities.

Our commitment is to inspire and mobilize volunteers to address pressing social issues such as fighting hunger and providing professional skill development through flexible and dynamic pop-up service projects. By harnessing the energy and goodwill of individuals, we aim to build stronger, more resilient communities that thrive on the principles of empathy, collaboration, and shared responsibility.

Through innovative and accessible volunteer opportunities, we seek to break down barriers to civic engagement and foster a sense of interconnectedness among diverse populations. We envision a world where every person recognizes their capacity to make a positive impact and actively participates in creating positive change.

At the heart of our non-profit organization is the belief that by coming together, even for brief moments, we can create a ripple effect of goodwill that extends far beyond the immediate service projects. By promoting a spirit of volunteerism, we hope to inspire a lasting commitment to community service, encouraging individuals to become lifelong advocates for positive social change.

Join us at Misstakenid Gives Back Foundation as we embark on a journey to build a more compassionate and engaged society, one pop-up community service event at a time. Together, we can make a difference that echoes through the lives of individuals and strengthens the fabric of our communities.

WE SHOW YOU THAT SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY CAN BE FUN!

Our Goals:

1. Fight Food Insecurity in Underserved Populations
2. Professional Skill Building/Development for underserved populations
3. Making Volunteering a creative networking experience that serves both the populations being served as well as those volunteering to serve.
4. Providing our Seniors(Elders) and Veterans with support and advocacy.

We also believe in collaboration. So we will collaborate with different groups to serve in various communities across the state of NC or in other countries around the world. If you would like to collaborate please let us know.

Diversity, equity, & inclusion policy

At the Misstakenid Gives Back Foundation, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every individual, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and respected. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission of uplifting and empowering vulnerable communities. This policy outlines our commitment to ensuring that DEI principles guide our work, partnerships, and the way we serve our communities.

Our Commitment:

The Misstakenid Gives Back Foundation is dedicated to:

1. Diversity:

We value and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of everyone involved in our organization, including staff, volunteers, and the individuals we serve. We believe that diversity strengthens our organization and enhances our ability to make a meaningful impact in the community.

2. Equity:

We are committed to promoting fairness and ensuring that our programs, services, and resources are accessible to all, particularly to marginalized and underserved populations. We actively seek to eliminate barriers that may prevent individuals or communities from fully participating in and benefiting from our work.

3. Inclusion:

We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status, feels welcomed and respected. We encourage the active participation and engagement of individuals from all walks of life in our initiatives, decision-making processes, and leadership roles.

Policy Objectives:

Recruitment and Leadership:

We will actively recruit, retain, and support a diverse team of staff, board members, and volunteers who reflect the communities we serve. We will also ensure that our leadership promotes an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are considered and valued in decision-making.

Equitable Access to Services:

We will continually assess our programs and initiatives to ensure they meet the needs of diverse populations, particularly those who are historically marginalized. We will strive to provide equitable access to our services and resources and work to address any disparities in service delivery.

Training and Education:

We will provide ongoing training and development opportunities for staff, board members, and volunteers to enhance their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and to ensure these principles are integrated into all aspects of our work.

Partnerships and Collaboration:

We will actively seek partnerships with organizations that share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will collaborate with community groups, stakeholders, and individuals from diverse backgrounds to create initiatives that are culturally responsive and inclusive.

Accountability and Continuous Improvement:

We recognize that fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion is an ongoing process. We will regularly evaluate our efforts, seek feedback from the communities we serve, and adapt our policies and practices as needed to ensure we continue to grow in these areas. Our leadership will be responsible for upholding this policy and ensuring its principles are embedded in our organizational culture and operations.

Conclusion:

The Misstakenid Gives Back Foundation is committed to making diversity, equity, and inclusion an integral part of who we are and how we operate. By doing so, we believe we can better serve our community, foster a sense of belonging, and create lasting, positive change.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

A. Umstead “Misstakenid” (pronounced Miss-taken-I-D) is From Durham, NC.

Akeeya’s impact extends beyond her professional endeavors; it is deeply rooted in her upbringing and personal values. Since childhood, she has been actively involved in serving the Durham community and beyond, inspired by her late mother, Cassandra Wallace Umstead, who instilled in her the importance of giving back. Akeeya has seamlessly merged her passion for community service with her project management skills, creating diverse and meaningful service experiences.

One of Akeeya’s key insights is understanding that people are willing to serve but often find long-term commitments challenging. To address this, she has developed projects with shorter timeframes but significant impacts. This approach allows individuals to contribute meaningfully to their community or other communities in just one or two days, ensuring that giving back is both fulfilling and accessible. Akeeya’s dedication to creating impactful, yet manageable, service opportunities reflects her profound commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.