By Alicia Payne

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, one name rises above the rest, captivating his audience with groundbreaking contributions to tech innovation. Kémosiri A’akhutera has a pioneering spirit and an insatiable thirst. Kémo, pronounced as 'kay-mo,' redefines the very essence of technological advancement, with a brilliant mind that dances effortlessly between imagination and practicality. He fearlessly explores uncharted territories in the pursuit of technological excellence. Kémo stands tall as a pillar and key to the city of Dayton.

Born and raised in the neighborhood of Five Oaks Manor, Kémo always possessed aniness that sets him apart. At only 17 years old, he embarked on a journey to develop his personal goals, greatly influenced by his teacher in a program called ABLE. That teacher, Dr. Boikai Twe, served as a mentor figure that enlightened Kémo to our complex world. This early experience fueled Kémo's passion for making a difference.

Just like many of his friends, Kémo finished high school, and he was set to go to Tuskegee University (TU). Formerly known as the Tuskegee Institute, TU is a private, historically black land-grant university in Tuskegee, Alabama. It is a U.S. News Top 5 ranked historically black college or university (HBCU) and has over 135 years of history helping African-Americans develop economic self-reliance. TU was founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881. Excited by the prospect of adding to the legacy of the university, Kémo had a going-away party and a $10,000 loan to start school that fall.

Unfortunately, on the day he was to leave for college, Kémo's HBCU dreams were shattered. He discovered that his father had spent the loan money, forcing Kémo to reroute his plans and enroll in Dayton’s Sinclair Community College. Ironically, this setback created the tech master we now know today.

Kémo formed his goals based on the encouraging words of his teacher, Dr. Twe. He began to understand the life of a black man and obtained knowledge to improve not only his own conditions, but also the conditions of other persons of color. Kémo began to grasp the fundamentals of capitalism and how it impacts communities. The more he learned, the more he wanted to take action.

Kémo’s focus shifted to finding potential solutions for the financial hardships he observed in rural communities. Kémo began studying credit, real estate, and business. He created his own business called 'The Trep House,' inspired by the tech industry, where entrepreneurs would say things like 'I'm trepping' or 'treps' in the early 1990s to the 2000s. With this endeavor Kémo aimed to introduce others to the world of tech through the lens of a person of color.

The Trep House is a non-profit organization created to build generational wealth and change the overall mindset towards entrepreneurship, while building a new, solid infrastructure in West Dayton. He says, "a team is so important." Under The Trep House organization, Kémo’s team creates comprehensive plans for future entrepreneurs. They’re provided with exclusive tools to avoid failure and achieve financial success. The Trep House is not your typical tech business. Rather it is a blueprint that will help entrepreneurs of color thrive.

The overall goal is to contribute to the rebuilding of the city of Dayton. Kémo explains that in order for our communities to thrive, we must change external development. Some of his businesses focus on real, commercial building, financial and economic startups, capital investments, and social capital.

During his start-up in the early 1990s and 2000s, The Trep House was exclusively created to address the needs of the black community through groundbreaking initiatives that address the financial issues faced by the black community. With The Trep House, Kémo has designed long-term solutions toward social impact and provides solutions for economic growth.

Kémo believes that a person does not have to be a product of their environment. They can be the future. He adds, "I have always thought futuristic." He believes that The Trep House is the key to the future, with its many umbrellas of support, such as investing and focusing on individual self improvement to foster business growth. Kémo believes if the community will change their mindset there will be room for possibilities of building wealth long-term.

Recently, Kémo hosted a groundbreaking afternoon in Dayton introducing small business owners with black men who are professionals in finance. It was a chance to connect with finance professionals who can empower small business owners with invaluable insights and open doors to new opportunities!

Whether you're a small business owner seeking to navigate the world of finance or a young black professional or student eager to make a profound impact on your community, act now. Get inspired, get motivated, and get equipped with the tools you need to excel. Kémo and The Trep House are here for you.

This article originally appeared on Dayton Weekly News and republished through its partnership with Elevate Dayton.