Akosua Dardaine is an award-winning social entrepreneur, author, and advocate for young women’s empowerment and healing justice. She has been recognized as Social Entrepreneur of the Year in Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean Female Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Global Innovation Partners (2018). Akosua is also the recipient of the Merikin National Community Award for Contribution to Women and the International Women’s Forum of Trinidad & Tobago Inspirational Emerging Leader Award.

Akosua is the Founder of the NiNa Young Women’s Leadership Programme, a pioneering initiative supporting young women transitioning from State and Foster care, as well as those from at-risk communities. NiNa provides safe housing, mentorship, life-skills training, trauma-informed counselling, education support, and leadership development. The programme also operates in secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago and runs a dedicated transition model to support young women exiting State care at age 18 to reintegrate successfully into society and build independent, empowered lives.

A passionate storyteller and teacher, Akosua has authored four books, including her most recent, Now What? The Flipside (2021). She is also a TEDx speaker whose work centers on belonging, agency, and rewriting narratives for young women who are too often excluded from opportunity.

Website: www.akosuadardaineedwards.com
NiNa Programme: www.ninaleaders.com

Akosua’s Free Gift To You

Rooted to Rise: A Reflective Guide

Akosua invites you to pause, breathe, and root yourself in reflection.

This guide is a gift of presence — a space to honor what has sustained you, release what no longer serves, and plant seeds for the
rise ahead.

Click here to claim this free gift!