From SGA president to Yale: Akai Martin's journey of service and leadership

The first college commencement Akai Martin ever attended happened when his aunt graduated from Columbia University. She had started as a community college student and ultimately made her way to the Ivy League. Akai, inspired by her journey, knew he wanted to follow the same path.

Now, he has made that dream a reality. He graduated from Central Piedmont Community College in the spring of 2026 with an Associate in Arts degree before transferring to Yale. Along the way, he became Central Piedmont’s Student Government Association (SGA) president while serving as an Air Force reservist. 

“I wanted to go to a community college that's investing in its students and a campus that is beautiful as well,” Akai said.

Born in North Carolina, Akai spent much of his youth in Lauderhill, Florida, between West Palm Beach and Miami. Four years ago, he returned to the Tar Heel State when his family relocated to the Charlotte area. 

“I had my eyes on Central Piedmont for a while, even before I'd actually come to North Carolina, because I knew my family was moving,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is the perfect campus.’” 

Akai served as the SGA president from August 2025 through May 2026 with the goal to “bring community to community college.” With his outgoing and gregarious personality, he met and connected with many people throughout the college, helping to start around 15 clubs in a semester. He also represented the student body as an ex officio board member on the Board of Trustees.

“I really value learning how to be a leader,” Akai said. “Leadership is something I want to pursue, and I want to lead in the political space specifically. I felt it was important to build those skills at community college.”

Although Akai is the consummate example of a leader, for several years after graduating from high school he struggled to find direction. As a result, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. 

“I joined the Air Force for a multitude of reasons,” Akai said. “One of them was financial security and being able to pay for college. I also joined to gain discipline in myself. I feel like I wasn't a very disciplined person before the military. I didn't really have a foundation. I joined to get a foundation and to be able to tell my mom, ‘I'm doing something with my life.’”

Akai has served as a reservist for about four years. During his time at Central Piedmont, he spent one weekend a month traveling to Virginia for the military. He holds the rank of Senior Airman (E-4) and also credits his service for developing his leadership qualities. 

He was involved with Military Families and Veterans Services at Central Piedmont, connecting with fellow members of the armed forces. He helped several students join the Air Force and aided other service members with understanding the financial and personal resources available as they navigated the college.

Akai, who is fond of superheroes and trying cuisines from around the world, has made an indelible mark on Central Piedmont. He encourages students to join clubs and make connections, noting there are opportunities for traditional students and adult learners alike. Across the board, he calls Central Piedmont “just financially smart,” whether it is a starting point or a destination.

At Yale, Akai will study political science and hopes to play a key role in student government. He was drawn to the university’s reputation for turning out some of the world’s most impressive figures, ranging from U.S. presidents and Supreme Court justices to film directors.

“If you have a dream and you stick to it, it’s accomplishable,” he said. “I've been saying I've wanted to do this for a very long time. I've told my family, I've told my friends, I've told people at Central Piedmont. It’s one thing to imagine it and dream it. It's another thing for it to actually happen.”