Biography

Born and partially raised in Belleville, New Jersey, Akira Pray spent her teen years in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Her formative years were riddled with drug-induced violence, abandonment, neglect, and abuse by those entrusted with her care. Unfortunately, both of her parents were incarcerated for nearly her entire childhood. To this day, she continues to fight to free her father, Wayne “Akbar” Pray, a writer, community activist, and nonviolent offender, who has served 35 years of a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Throughout all of her trials, she prevailed, becoming a strong, vivacious advocate for women and others facing oppression and adversity. She was determined that her pain would be turned into purpose and that she would use her story to help guide others out of darkness and despair. As a teen mother, she knew all the hurdles life would throw at her. Ultimately, she overcame THEM ALL. Graduating with a degree in social work from Georgia State University while raising her beautiful daughter, Aria. After a tumultuous divorce, she found herself feeling broken, battered, and bruised, left to raise three girls on her own. Putting her faith in God, she garnered the strength to rebuild her life. Inspired by her late sister, Tiffany Parker Porter, she began to LIVE OUT LOUD. She has made it her life’s purpose to ensure that no other person faces hardships and adversity alone.

With a lifetime of service, Akira Pray has been entrenched in advocacy for underserved populations. She has been on the front lines of criminal justice and prison reform. She recently co-produced 848, a documentary that highlights the disparity in convictions under the kingpin clause and the case of her father, Wayne “Akbar” Pray. Her children’s book, Little Girl Blue (Alphabet Affirmation for the Blues), will debut in Summer 2027.

Serving as the Executive Director of the Akbar Pray Foundation for Change, she partners with the Partnership Against Domestic Violence to host an annual Valentine’s Day dinner for women in an emergency domestic violence shelter. She also coordinates an annual Thanksgiving dinner for those experiencing homelessness.

As a Life Restoration Coach, she has developed steps to help women free themselves from the shackles of stress, confront unhealed trauma, and restore their rightful throne.