Giving children a place to learn and grow, Growing Mindz Memorial Garden

Growing Mindz began as an idea in 2018. After seeing her child struggle while learning to read, SeKoria Finney was determined to find a more hands-on approach to learning. 

SeKoria Finney

As a mom of three, an artist, small business owner, and a full-time employee who grew up and lives in the Summit Lake neighborhood, SeKoria knew one thing—she wouldn’t have to do this alone. 

The original intent of Growing Mindz steamed from SeKoria’s love of art and creating, including sharing her passion for beaded jewelry with the children in her community. But after a conversation with her grandmother, Shirley Finney, SeKoria believed that Growing Mindz could be more than a space for creatives. It could be a garden and a space for all to enjoy. 

SeKoria dreamed of a beautiful, thoughtful space with room for arts and craft and community gatherings that gave children the opportunity to learn—and have fun. She didn’t want them to simply read about the colors of butterflies or the way flowers grew towards the sun. She wanted her children, and her community’s children to see and experience the beauty that happens when you take part in watching something grow. 

When she began talking about the idea, neighbors, friends and the team from Akron Civic Commons saw her passion and matched it. With their support, she applied and received a grant of $10,000 on behalf of the League of Creative Interventionists. 

“The Akron Civic Commons team heard the residents' request and backed us 100%, and to this day, we are grateful for all they have done for the community. From the meetings, sponsoring the project, providing the food—but most importantly, Akron Civic Commons believed in us even when I may have doubted myself,” shared SeKoria.  

Growing Mindz Memorial Garden now sits on the corner of Princeton St. and Lenyon St. in Akron. A sign hangs in the garden that simply says, “In loving memory of all the neighborhood residents we have lost over the years.” 

“So often we lose loved ones and celebrate their memories by leaving bottles in the street, on the curb or wherever the tragedy takes place,” said SeKoria. “With this garden, we wanted to give our neighbors a place to do this. We have children waiting on buses in the morning, why not give them a bench to sit on?” 

This small garden transformed a corner and became the place SeKoria envisioned—and more. A place for community to come together, to meet, to craft, to celebrate, and to mourn. 

This project is a thriving example of creativity and the sheer power that happens when people come together as community.