A Few Minutes with Becky Akello
Born and raised in the African nation of Uganda, Becky Akello moved to the U.S. in 1993 when she was in her early 30s.
Now, thanks to the San Diego Black Homebuyers program, she’s proud to say that she’s a homeowner.
Encouraged by Jacklyn Laquindanum, a San Diego Urban League housing/financial counselor, she applied to the housing program co-funded by LISC San Diego, the San Diego Foundation, and the Urban League.
The partnership, the first of its kind in California, provides up to $70,000 in grants to qualifying prospective Black homebuyers as well as financial literacy education.
An administrative analyst with the County of San Diego, Akello earned a master’s degree from City University of New York-Baruch College and later relocated to San Diego in 2010.
“I just moved in, so I’m still on Cloud 9,” said Akello, a few days after moving into her two-bedroom, one-bath home in Escondido.
Were you surprised that you qualified for the program?
From the start, it’s been something that exceeded my expectations. Now that I’ve take full possession of my house, it’s an amazing feeling. More than anything, I feel really, really humbled because in the last two years my housing situation has been challenging and only God could guide my path and line up all the people who assisted me in this journey.
What was the process like?
Two years ago, a former colleague told me to reach out to Jacklyn Laquindaum at the Urban League, and she took my case with great focus that made me believe that they’d be the answer to my home problem. She told me exactly what I needed to do, like taking certain classes, and that’s what I did. She set me up on the path that led me to where I am today.
What do you like most about your own home?
Not only did I get a house with two bedrooms, but it has an attached garage, which I didn’t expect. I like everything about this house because it gives me a sense of security and stability. I still can’t believe the miracle, but I now know beyond doubt that “where there is a will, there is a way.” I listened to Jacklyn’s guidance and took action.
What are your duties and responsibilities at the county?
My job is to administer contracts that help clients with the process of community re-entry and preventing recidivism. I feel honored to work in a role that grants people a second chance to start over and become a positive contributor in our community’s wellbeing.
When you were growing up on Uganda, did you dream about owning a home in America?
To tell you the truth, I really didn’t dream about stepping a foot in America. My History and Geography classes in primary/secondary school were the only visualizations I had about America without any plans to visit. So, being known as a homeowner here is truly a miracle.