Meet Samson Akinola | CEO of Outcome School

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samson Akinola and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samson, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I founded Outcome School as a non-profit organization to the community by giving underserved youth and learners free access to practical technology education, mentorship, and career readiness support. We help students build real skills, prepare for meaningful jobs, and create pathways toward long-term economic mobility.

In Los Angeles and Southern California, this means more young people can access opportunities in technology, build confidence, support their families, and contribute to the local economy. Beyond our region, Outcome School as a free tech school supports a more inclusive future by helping people from underserved communities become creators, builders, and leaders in the digital world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is that I am a risk-taker. I have lived on four continents, left family and friends behind, and stepped into unfamiliar places just to try, learn, and grow. I do not always wait until I know everything before I start. I learn by doing, and I figure things out along the way.

Professionally, my journey began in my family’s mom-and-pop shops, where I learned the value of hard work, service, and resilience. Over time, I worked across different industries, including customer service, sales, technology, manufacturing, and supply chains. I also worked as a dishwasher in hotels and restaurants in Berlin, Germany. That job taught me humility and the importance of serving people with dignity and care.

The road has not been easy. My life has sometimes felt like being stuck in traffic on the freeway from Los Angeles to the Valley no easy way out, and the next exit feels far away. But I learned how to stay patient, keep moving, and not give up. I had to fall in love with my failures and difficulties because they became my greatest teachers.

I am proud of the doors I have broken through, the battles I have won, and even the ones I have lost. I am proud that I completed my MBA and paid for it through credit cards, then worked hard to pay it back. That experience taught me sacrifice, persistence, and belief in myself.

The biggest lessons I have learned are resilience, gratitude, persistence, and the importance of asking for help. Problems will come, but I believe we all have something inside us that can help solve them. And when you ask for help, not everyone will say yes but someone will.

What I want the world to know about me and Outcome School is that our story is built on courage, second chances, and action. We believe people do not need perfect conditions to begin. They need opportunity, support, practical skills, and someone who believes they can build a better future.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would visit the Downtown LA Central Library, the California African American Museum, the Griffith Observatory, and the Culver City Stairs. I would also take them on a peaceful walk through Larchmont Village to enjoy the beautiful homes, architecture, and neighborhood charm.

One night, I would keep it simple: grab a bottle of wine, cook a good meal, and talk about life. To me, the best part of LA is not just the places, it is the culture, the people, the views, and the meaningful moments you create.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say my shoutout goes to many mentors, even though I have never had the chance to meet most of them in person. A lot of my mentors came to me through books, music, and stories.

Tupac Shakur and Fela Kuti had a major influence on me. Through their music, they taught me the power of using your voice to speak for people who are often unheard. They showed me that art, creativity, and courage can be tools for social change. Today, I’m using tech for social change

I also learned a lot from The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley. That book helped shape the way I think about justice, identity, discipline, and advocacy. Malcolm X’s story showed me that transformation is possible and that one person’s voice can awaken a whole community.

Another major influence is Steve Jobs, especially through Walter Isaacson’s biography. From Steve Jobs, I learned the importance of focus, passion, vision, and believing deeply in the work you are doing. His story taught me that building something meaningful requires persistence, creativity, and the courage to think differently.

So, I would dedicate my shoutout to the artists, thinkers, writers, and leaders whose work mentored me from a distance. They helped shape my passion for social impact, technology, education, and community change. Even though I never met them, their ideas helped guide the person I am becoming and the mission behind Outcome School.

Website: https://www.outcomeschool.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outcomeschool/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/outcome-school/

Twitter: https://x.com/outcomeschool

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Outcome-School/61579731263258/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Outcomeschoolorg

Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akinishuman/