Shade Akintunde

I've been with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta for 25 years, where I currently serve as a Senior Sourcing Analyst. My most meaningful work, however, is through my nonprofit organization, Utmost4P Inc., which I established in 2005. This organization is deeply personal to me because when my husband passed away in 2005, my children were young, and I experienced firsthand what it means to be a single mother and widow. The support I received from my community during that difficult time made me really want to give back. Today, I'm proud to say my children are well to do in their own fields. Through Utmost4P Inc., I help single mothers and widows by holding different events throughout the year. Every December, we select one single mother or widow as Mother of the Year through nomination. We also provide scholarships to students from single-parent homes to help them attend college. Additionally, I serve as the current chairperson for Communities in Schools of Henry County, where we connect students to help them achieve their goals. We also serve at the Salvation Army during Thanksgiving every year. I share my knowledge and encourage women, drawing from my own experiences to help others navigate similar challenges.