Empowering the next generation

Discover our mission

On June 4, 2023, I experienced a profoundly transformative event. Welcoming my first born daughter, my cherished angel, born sleeping. This instilled within me an unparalleled amount of strength. Despite the unimaginable pain, the love we shared transcended, igniting me with a fierce determination to share the love, bond and enriching experience I had for her with others. I established the ALANI Foundation in her honor as a beacon of love, hope and inspiration. The foundation has three pillars. Health Advocacy, Youth Mentoring and Community Engagement.

At the ALANI Foundation, we are on a mission to address the pressing issues of infant mortality and black maternal health in our community. Founded with a deep sense of urgency, our organization is dedicated to raising awareness and taking tangible steps towards change as we intimately understand the gravity of this issue.

In Ohio, infant mortality rates are shockingly high, with significant disparities between black and white children. Per the CDC, Ohio has one to the highest rates of death rates. Ohio received a grade “D” from the March of Dimes. In Akron, where we are based, the numbers are equally concerning as the rate is significantly higher for black babies. Maternal health is also at risk with Black women as they face disproportionate risks during pregnancy and child birth. Black women are two and half times more likely to die in child birth. We’ve developed an innovative approach to addressing these challenges.

Our focus is on empowering young mothers to become their own health advocate through education and engagement. The only way to make change is to give innovative thought. We do this by providing not only education and awareness, but we promote Q&A sessions as a part of the the regular health check up and equipping young mothers with the skills to communicate effectively with their health care providers and last but not least, access to resources. The right resources are critical to success. But we cant do it alone. We believe that real change requires collective action and community involvement. We host community events, bringing us together to stand as one. We also nurture girls ages 8-15 to create a foundation for a healthier future.

Join us in our mission to drive change, raise awareness, education and community engagement for a brighter, healthy future for all.

Together, we can make a difference!

- Deshanae

Deshanae , Founder, The ALANI Foundation

Explore our community engagements and fundraisers

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    ALANI

    The ALANI foundation is about love, hope, inspiration and success. We invite you to join our organization by volunteering, donating, participating or demonstrating our principles.

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    VISION A.L.A.N.I.

    What you dream, you become. Our girls created vsion boards to create a plan and pathway to success. We know that GIRLS run the world. Our programing provides the tools to do so.

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    Easter FUN-RAISER

    We launched our first fundraiser that we have coined FUN-raisers. Our goal is to allow the girls to have fun. Our girls demonstrated all of the skills that they have learned by cooking easter brunch for the Akron Community. The girls cooked, waffles, sausage, eggs and toast. They learned sanitation, cooking skills, team work, organization, label reading and financial management. These skill are critical in the real world. They served 85 families !! We are so proud of them!.

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    Cupcakes & Convos

    Young girls need time to release and to communicate their issues in their language. Cupcakes & Convos gives these girls the space to discuss the not so fun conversations about life and learn how to solve problems in positive ways. We use this time to encourage one another and give each other the space to correct our wrongs, resolve issues and learn more about each other.

  • ALANI FEST

    ALANI Fest is our Inaugural Community Event! We bring the community together for a fun, family field day. We will offer free food, games, inflatables, games, bike give away and more.

    Black maternal health issues and infant mortality plagues the black community. Our foundation will bring awareneess by helping families in need, mentoring girls 8-15 and serving the community.

    JOIN us for a family fun event on June 8th, 1-6pm at Hardesty Park.

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Get in Touch

Feel free to connect with us regarding any inquiries or thoughts. This foundation is a community. We are always seeking partnerships and sponsors. Lets grow together!