Akua Kwakwa ’00, now an entrepreneur in Ghana, credits her first Scripps job as a Phonathon caller with showing her the importance of giving back.
From advocacy to volunteering to attending events, there are many ways to support a mission you believe in. But choosing to invest one’s financial support involves a unique set of circumstances—and those are deeply personal to each donor. Today, we’re handing the microphone to Akua Kwakwa ’00 in an interview where she discusses her connection to Scripps and what inspired her to give.
Scripps College: As a Scripps alum, we know your education was a significant investment. In light of that, what inspired you to make your first charitable gift to Scripps?
Akua Kwakwa: My first job at Scripps was with Phonathon during my first semester. I had only been in the US for a few months after just moving from Ghana—and it was an eye-opening experience.
Through Phonathon, I learned how the school is run, how charitable gifts allow Scripps to implement new initiatives to build future world leaders, and how schools are ranked. Phonathon became a special family to me—I had an amazing boss in Adam Bart, who very patiently coached me, and I am so grateful for my two aunties in the Office of Annual Giving, Adro Keys and Selina Okeyo, who kept me grounded. I had such a great experience at Scripps that I wanted to keep the College ranked high so the world would know what an amazing and unique place this is.
I started giving as soon as I had the means. The staggered giving initiative of $100 dollars for every year post graduation was an excellent way to start small and build up, and I was certainly able to grow my giving as my career advanced—except for my years as a broke student in graduate school!
SC: How do you feel your Scripps experience shaped who you are today?
AK: Scripps’ mission and my worldview are very strongly aligned. Funnily enough, I initially didn’t want to apply to Scripps because I had spent five years in a girls’ boarding school, and I expected a boring and uneventful college experience. But I’m glad I was convinced to give Scripps a try. I was exposed to other amazing women from around the world, had super supportive and amazing professors, had the opportunity to go on junior year exchange to Spelman College through SAGE, took classes at the other Claremont Colleges, enjoyed get-togethers at the Office of Black Student Affairs and conversations in the reading rooms—I could go on and on.
My Phonathon experience also helped me to express myself in spite of my different accent—to know that I was, and still am, interesting and worth taking up space. I also hope to continue to see more diversity in Black and Brown individuals in the student and professional population at Scripps, because I still remember how awesome it was to meet Linda Scott (former executive assistant to the president and secretary of the Board of Trustees) and see that she looked like me!
Living in such a powerful environment for my formative years really made me feel there are no limits. I know it sounds cliche, but it’s like one is bathed in the ‘You got this, you can do it!’ environment for so long that it sticks to you. Now when I see obstacles, I know I can either go over or around them.
SC: What role do you feel donor support will play in the future, particularly as Scripps navigates the impact of COVID-19 on our community?
AK: Donor support is more relevant than ever. Our reality has changed, and we need to enable Scripps to shift and fulfil its important mission. It will require money—the great enabler—and I think we mustn’t forget that the future generation needs us to give them opportunities and prepare them to be leaders in this new reality.
As I used to say when I was with Phonathon, “Give, even if it’s only a dollar a month.” Every little bit goes a long way. We must continue to give women a place to blossom so they can thrive, lead, and influence.
For nearly 100 years, Scripps College has remained unflaggingly committed to our mission of developing the intellects and talents of women leaders. To support our students and their future, please consider making a gift today by clicking here.
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