Influencer and philanthropist, Katya Akuma, takes to her Instagram account to join movements marketing social change.

Akuma joined brands to bring awareness to causes such as refugee recovery, recycling, sustainability in fashion, and women empowerment to her 150,000 Instagram followers. Her Instagram account, @katyaakuma, is just one of the ways she promotes the work to perpetuate permanent social change.

Using her platforms as a form of power and influence, she has stood behind causes as an activist and advocate. Her social media game is using her standing to raise awareness for other initiatives outside of her efforts as founder of The Council of Fashion for Social Change. Here are six times the influencer showed her support for great causes:

Donating to refugee survivors

Supporting the campaign by denim brand Citizens for Humanity, Akuma posted a photograph of herself wearing a white shirt with the words “Humanity” emblazed across her chest. From August 26 to September 30th 2018, the company encouraged influencers to share a selfie with the hashtag #WeAreAllHumanity on Instagram. By joining the global movement, @citizensofhumanity donated $10 to support the USA for UNHCR’s work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; in honor of the UN Refugee Agency, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping refugees survive, recover, and build a better future.

Supporting sustainability in fashion

Highlighting one of the world’s foremost sustainability and fashion awards, Akuma posts to support The Green Carpet Fashion Awards, Italia; that reflects the commitment of fashion houses to sustainability. The human capital that goes into fashion production is considered a brand’s handprint, while the footprint of fashion is the natural capital and environmental impact a brand makes. The only ceremony to honor both, this event celebrates the best in sustainable fashion.

Supporting woman empowerment

Driving towards equality, Akuma backs Uber’s women empowerment campaign by posting #Whereto video promoting her leadership role at the Council of Fashion for Social Change. Supporting Women at Uber, the company is doing its part to attract, retain, and promote women. Their mission is to increase the representation of women in leadership roles strongly supporting their advancement in the company on a global scale.

Supporting sustainability & recycling in fashion

“The perfect companion for the sustainable traveler” Akuma posts. ECO-Nu is a Samsonite luggage made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. She makes the introduction to the product as “a big fan of sustainable and thoughtfully designed products” and carried the hashtag #WeCarryTheWorld. Lighten the footstep on the industry, this bag has an environmental impact using a fabric that is made completely from used PET plastic bottles. The bottles are melted down into a liquid polymer, purified into filament yarn, and then woven into a durable fabric.

Stopping child labor trafficking

“Fashion has the potential to transform the world and cultivate freedom.” Says Akuma in support of Beauty for Freedom’s capsule collection and campaign for at-risk youth in Ghana. The campaign features the photography of young survivors of labor trafficking with a call to action of “one-click that will make a difference” signing off with the #FromGhanaWithLove hashtag to raise awareness of the cause. Akuma promoted the purchase of a bag in support of the youth where 100% of the proceeds were donated to the young designers and anti- trafficking organization, Challenging Heights in Winneba, Ghana.

Supporting Fair Trade

Akuma continues to use her platform to shine a light on brands and organizations that are bettering the world. Akuma posted about Lingua Franca, an NYC-based brand that is committed to fair trade, ethical labor practices, at the highest environmental standards. The brand is a platform to inspire change and a portion of Lingua Franca proceeds support activists and organizations behind the same social change objectives. 

Akuma is proof that speaking up for what you believe in can provoke real change. Social media is just one channel that allows Akuma to make a positive contribution to the industry and the status quo of injustice.

Learn more about Katya’s initiatives on her Instagram @katyaakuma.

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