Ashro Woman: Rev. Dr. A’Kena, EdS
Meet Ashro Woman of the Week, Rev. Dr. A’Kena, EdS from Emporia, KS
Wife, college professor, minister, and style standout, A’Kena has a total of 5 closets (mostly filled with classic clothes)!
“I love that I can wear items that are 30 years old….no one knows because the pieces are so classic.”
Bringing her beautiful best is a lesson A’Kena learned by example from her mom. Even with 9 children, A’Kena’s mom “managed to look flawless EVERY Sunday morning for church.”
More important than style, however, A’Kena’s mom left her with a deep spiritual legacy that inspires A’Kena to this day. “God is my guide throughout my life, not just on Sunday morning.”
| Name | |
| Rev. Dr. A’Kena, EdS | |
| Which city do you live? | |
| Emporia | |
| Which state do you live? | |
| KS | |
| How would you describe the Ashro woman? How do you embody her? | |
| I am an Ashro woman because I embody style wherever I go. Even on my dress down days, I receive compliments that my style is effortless. | |
| How long have you been an Ashro customer? | |
| 10 years or so | |
| What do you do for a living? What do you like most about it? What don’t you like? | |
| I am a college professor. I love impacting minds that are young and not so young. I don’t like when students consistently earn B’s and C’s, but expect to get an “A” out of the course. The math is not mathing. ;-) | |
| How do you spend your free time? | |
| In my free time, I like to visit the theater and do community service and art projects when time permits. | |
| What small thing makes you happy? | |
| Birds chirping, a cool evening breeze, and seeing my husband smile. | |
| What is your best dish? Who do you make it for—and where do you typically serve it? | |
| My best dish is cream cheese pound cake. I make it for my husband and relatives for the holidays. | |
| What has been your greatest struggle…and your greatest (or latest) triumph? | |
| My greatest struggle is getting a full-time college teaching position and FINALLY landing said job. My latest triumph is becoming a Harvard-trained college educator of media and technology. | |
| Who influenced you the most in your life. Why? And in what way? | |
| My parents both influenced me greatly. Both my parents’ work ethic was unmatched and my mom’s spirituality has had a great impact on my life.. | |
| Do you volunteer or do charity work? Tell us about it! | |
| I created a nonprofit to honor my parents’ legacy. Seasonally, I gift hair products, makeup, nail polish, etc. to senior citizens’ assisted living residences. | |
| Are you in a sorority? Or is anyone in your family in a sorority? If so, which one and what does it mean to you? | |
| I recently joined Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc–a business and professional organization with headquarters in Detroit. It means a lot to me to be a new inductee. The community service projects and the sisterhood was the draw for me.I recently joined Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Inc–a business and professional organization with headquarters in Detroit. It means a lot to me to be a new inductee. The community service projects and the sisterhood was the draw for me. | |
| What do you love about fashion and style? | |
| I love that I can coordinate timeless outfits and still wear items that are 30 years old from my 5 closets, but no one knows because the pieces are so classic. | |
| Has anyone in particular influenced your style? | |
| My mother, Bernice, certainly influenced my style. She was a mother of 9, but STILL managed to look flawless EVERY Sunday morning for church. Also, I like the 1950s style with the cinched waist and A-line skirts. | |
| What occasions/events do you dress up for? (for example-do you often dress up for church, cultural events, charity events, going out, etc.) And how often do you typically get dressed up? | |
| I used to get dressed up for church, but I recently moved to KS where they atmosphere is very laid back. Some of the women wear flannels and jeans. I cannot be THAT comfort, so I manage to wear pant suits and dresses/skirts. I look forward to cultural events where I can share a true sense of my style. | |
| How has your style evolved over time? | |
| Because my style is timeless and classic, it has not evolved much. I can still wear items from the 1990s today, especially with my recent 21 pound weight loss. | |
| Do you wear hats? How often and what type of hat? Do you wear them to church? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a hat with us! | |
| I am a member of the CME Hat Committee-Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Easter. Yes, I do wear them to church. | |
| Do you wear headwraps? How often? Where did you learn how to tie it? Share a pic of you in a headwrap with us! | |
| I rarely wear headwraps. I took a class in Detroit on head wrapping, which was a great experience. | |
| Do you wear wigs? How often and what length or style? If so, be sure to share a pic of you in a wig with us! | |
| I rarely wear wigs. Each of my bob or shoulder length wigs have the headband attached, but I cover the existing headband with a colored headband of my own. I had my sister make me several different colors during the pandemic. | |
| Are you a woman of faith? How does that faith affect your life? Please tell us more. | |
| I am a minister of the gospel so faith encompasses a lot of my everyday decisions. God is my guide throughout my life not just on Sunday morning. | |
| Do you attend church? What church do you go to and what do you love most about it? | |
| Yes, I attend New Covenant Church. I love ministering the Word to God’s people. I give them a fresh perspective with practical application of His Word. | |
| How are you passing along your faith traditions onto your children/grandchildren? | |
| I primarily have nieces so I share God’s Word with them on FB posts, when they are struggling, or simply to encourage them in daily life. | |
| Are you a First Lady or a Pastor? | |
| No | |
| Your best advice? | |
| Do what you have to do so that you can do what you want to do. | |
| Are you an Ashro Credit customer? If so, how has our credit helped you? | |
| Not a credit customer per se. Yet, i have benefiited from the Buy Now Pay Later program, which allows me to shop with ease and make a payment later. … | |
| Do you have a memory to share of when you first heard about Ashro or when you received your first catalog? | |
| As a young lady in my 20s, I remember seeing all of the beautiful Black women from different hues dressed fabulously. |
Thanks for inspiring us, A’Kena!
If you’d like a chance to be a future Ashro Woman of the Week, share your story with us — then watch your weekly Ashro emails to see if you’re featured next! Already filled out our questionnaire? Then you’re all set (you may see yourself featured in next week’s email)! Make sure to tell your friends and family to sign up for emails. We can’t wait to see you!
