I made a promise to myself that I would always lead with an Empathetic heart with anyone I encountered as a health care professional. So creating Akenis llc was easy because I have already had decades of experience with helping people seek a healthier and more fulfilling life.
As a part of this series, we had the pleasure to interview Si’Neka Demery.
Si’Neka Demery is a Sickle Cell Warrior, community activist, and founder of Akenis llc. Si’Neka’s journey has been one of resilience, purpose, and learning how to turn challenges into opportunities. Living with Sickle Cell Disease has taught her strength in ways that go far beyond what people can see. Through difficult life challenges, Si’Neka has developed a determination to create something meaningful; not only for herself but for others like her.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I’ve worked in the medical field for over 20+ years now. So I have experience as a health care professional and also as a patient. I understand how frustrating It can be from both perspectives; especially when you are dealing with a life threatening medical condition like Sickle Cell Anemia. I made a promise to myself that I would always lead with an Empathetic heart with anyone I encountered as a health care professional. So creating Akenis llc was easy because I have already had decades of experience with helping people seek a healthier and more fulfilling life. The only difference is that I am the boss this time.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
The first time someone actually stopped me in a store and recognized me from Akenis llc. I was out with my daughters shopping in a neighbor city and a young girl came up to me and asked if I was Akenis and if she could apply to be an Ambassador. She told me how she also had Sickle Cell Anemia and she was so excited when she came across our Instagram page. We talked for probably about 15–20 minutes and I had the biggest smile on my face and I wanted to cry because it was just an out of body experience. I am just a normal person like everyone else, so I never thought something like that could and/or would ever happen to me. My daughters were so excited about it too it was all they could talk about for a while after. That moment made me go even harder because we are truly not just a brand or a business; we are a family. I care about every single person who is a part of this brand and supports it.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
So the funniest mistake I made was honestly one of the biggest ones. I receive various collaboration proposals from various brands and businesses. I am very particular on which brands and businesses that I work with because I always want to make sure it’s a good and positive fit for our community. This particular brand was popular so I assumed that the collaboration would be great. I won’t give specific details but let’s just say I learned to read every single line of every single contract before you sign, with that deal. I was locked into something I couldn’t get out of without a lawyer for a year. It made business a little more difficult than I would have liked. But I do not believe in bad luck, I believe that rejection is redirection. I needed this lesson because I was being way too comfortable with just trusting that everyone would lead with integrity and honesty as I have. Even though the collaboration was not what I had expected, I still have respect and love for the brand.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
Since our official debut in 2020, we have contributed over $10,000 worth of hygiene products, free to the community thanks to our “Akenis Cares” fundraiser. My favorite fundraiser was working with Panda Express and raising money for the community. A portion of all of our Akenis product sales are used to host community events for free and also to provide Akenis Care Packs to community members who are facing hardship.
The Akenis Podcast which started out as a single season project, has continued on for now 5 seasons. Season 1 will always be my favorite because it was the rawest season in my eyes. We had no clue what we were doing or what this project could become. But we have reached over 20 countries with each Season averaging 10–15,000 views. Mind blowing! I was jumping for joy when we reached 100 views like this is it, this is the best we probably will get. So once it reached 10,000 views, I cried probably every day. Tears of joy of course.
Our Akenis Karma Series is probably my favorite newest development. It’s a series of short stories based on True Events told from the perspective of the women and men who shared their stories with me. Each story is so different from the other and that’s what makes it so special to me. It gives other people hope and even confidence to read how someone can overcome the darkest moment in their life and still find the light in that darkness.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I wish I could share the full story but out of respect for her, I will say that I came across a fellow Sickle Cell Warrior who was homeless and struggling with addiction. She developed a narcotic addiction due to her Sickle Cell Anemia Pain. It took almost a year of just consistently being in her corner and letting her know that she had genuine support with me but I found her a homeless shelter and eventually a rehabilitation facility where she completed 30 days. Once she was released I helped her get the resources she needed to get her GED, so she could finally get consistent and legit employment. This was in 2023 and since then, she is now 6 months away from earning her Associates Degree and she plans on furthering her education and career to become a Substance Abuse Counselor. She did all the work, so she deserves all the praises and celebration for what she overcame; all I did was support her. I hope she reads this because she should always know that she is such an amazing human being, who deserves every blessing that will continue to come to her.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Yes, educate your medical professionals more on Chronic Illnesses like Sickle Cell Anemia and teaching health care professionals to take their complaints and concerns seriously. I cannot tell you how many Sickle Cell Warriors, including myself, have encountered Doctors and even nurses who had no clue what Sickle Cell Anemia was and/or how to treat it. I have even had a Doctor google it, right in front of me because he had no idea on what to do to help me with my Sickle Cell Crisis. That scared me that the person that I am supposed to trust with my life; has never heard of my disease. This needs to change and it is changing, so I can only continue to do my part and advocate.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is understanding that you are not always right. You are always learning just like anyone you are mentoring. I have found that some of the best mentors and leaders that I have had were always personable and very easy to talk to. They didn’t try to make you feel like you were beneath them and they constantly reminded me that they are human just like anyone else. They are capable of making mistakes too. That definitely has shaped the type of Leader that I am with Akenis llc.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.
1. Do not try to be like anyone else
2. Always read every single line on any contract and/or proposal
3. Trust your discernment
4. Failure does not mean it’s the end
5. If you cannot have fun with it, don’t do it.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite Life Lesson quote…..Probably one that I came up with myself.
“There are only a few that you can truly depend on; and those are the ones with no strings attached.” I think that’s pretty self-explanatory.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a breakfast or lunch with Viola Davis. She is such a fierce and powerful woman and I have followed her acting career since I was a little girl. She has overcome so much publicly and still presents herself with grace and dignity. I just admire so much about her and how vocal she is about social issues. She does not bite her tongue when it comes to standing up for what is right; regardless if it is not the popular opinion. Truly a pure heart of gold. I probably would be so nervous that I would just sit there blinking hard and sweating.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
A movement where for one day, everyone in the world was required to perform 1 kind act of service for a stranger. Do you know how life changing that would be if every single person in the world did this on the same day? One day, where we did not focus on ourselves but purely on a complete stranger. I think we would change a lot of lives.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can check out our official Akenis llc website https://www.Akenisllc.com and also don’t forget to follow us on our one and only Instagram page @Akenis_llc.
We are always looking to collaborate with businesses and brands that align with our values. So if you have a product, service, and/or event in mind, please contact us! Also, we are looking for 2027 Ambassadors and there is no requirement. Just complete our application and a team member will reach back out to you within 24 hours.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: How Si’Neka Demery Of Akenis llc Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.