Dawud Akil enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1981 where he continued his education through 
the University of Maryland’s Business Extension Program. Mr. Akil made the decision to resign from the 
military and begin his journey of entrepreneurship. It was during this time that his vision came to life.
My current service connection is 90%. I’ve been fighting to have my connection increased to 100% due to my cancer diagnoses. I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer of the gallbladder, bio duct, and liver in 2020. My rare diagnoses of gallbladder cancer are related to Camp Lejeune and is well documented as a diagnoses that many Marines have be inflicted with. I submitted with an outside agency to receive an increase due to these diagnoses. My claim was denied, and I continue to fight to this day. I was told that it was denied because I couldn’t prove it happened at Camp Lejeune in 1983. Keep in mind that the Marines didn’t gain knowledge (I believe) until the 2000’s and they put out a flyer for all Marines to be aware of the issue. To date they have denied me twice this increase.