Kodjo "Sam" Akploh, known to his friends and family simply as Sam, was born on Monday, December 31, 1957 in Togo, West Africa, the second of six children born to the late Kossi Akploh and Awussie Amanve.

After receiving his master's degree from the Universite du Benin, he went on to pursue certification courses in Ghana and Senegal before returning to Lome to teach High School English. After a few years of teaching, Sam decided to emigrate to the US in the late 1980's to further his education. Once again, he obtained a second Master's Degree at the City College of the City University of New York (CUNY).

After graduation, Sam began his teaching career within the New York City Public Schools system, starting as a Social Studied Teacher at August Martin High School and most recently at the Math, Science Research and Technology Magnet High School (MAST) in Cambria Heights, Queens. His commitment to education saw him devoted to the CUNY system by starting post graduate studies there and being am active member of the African Development Institute (ADI).
All who know Sam can attest to his compassion and kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand or to be there for others. His home which his friends affectionately refer to as QG or Quartier General (Headquarters) is where everyone gathered on weekends to enjoy the various dishes he prepared for then amid intellectual discussions and watching sporting events.

Sam is very reserved, always carrying himself with a calming demeanor but with a caring heart and helping out with younger compatriots with adjusting to life in the new country. One way to measure the depth of his impact on people who know him is to see how his students interact with him, not in school but when they run into him in public.

After a brief illness, he passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital on Saturday, May 9, 2020. He leaves behind two daughters and a host of family and friends to cherish his memory.