Show notes
That’s not an exaggeration. It’s not a headline. It’s the reality that Kelis Houston has been fighting against for over a decade—and in this conversation, she doesn’t hold anything back.Kelis Houston is the Executive Director of Village Arms and Chair of the NAACP’s Child Protection Committee. She’s a policy consultant, advocate, trainer, and—more than anything—a relentless voice for justice. What started as a job at a youth shelter became a life calling after she witnessed firsthand the racial disparities and trauma inflicted by the child protection system.In this episode, Kelis walks us through her journey: from working in shelters to writing policy, from volunteer advocacy to authoring the African American Family Preservation Act, and everything in between. Her story is one of grit, faith, and fire. She’s seen the damage. She’s named the truth. And she’s still showing up.This isn’t just a conversation about what’s wrong. It’s a deep dive into how we fight back—with facts, with prayer, with policy, with community.✨ What You’ll Hear03:24 – How Kelis found herself in the world of child protection06:49 – The disproportionality she witnessed—and why it lit a fire08:05 – Writing the African American Family Preservation Act13:10 – How neglect is used as a catchall to target poor Black families19:17 – What parents can do if they’re investigated25:59 – What’s changed under the new law (and what still needs to)30:26 – Why family preservation and child safety are not oppositional38:12 – The foster care pipeline and federal incentives42:01 – Breaking systems, breaking cycles44:15 – Why documenting and recording everything matters49:17 – How systems even work to separate parents54:26 – What happens when you’re grieving a child who’s still living56:07 – How to prepare during pregnancy01:02:22 – What families can ask for under the new law01:07:07 – Why we must fight first, then reform🗣️ Standout Quotes“I didn’t dream of doing this work. It chose me.”“They’re not protecting children. They’re punishing poverty.”“Family preservation is about safety—psychological safety, cultural safety, emotional safety.”“The system didn’t start caring about our children. They started seeing dollar signs.”“You’re not seeing it for no reason. God showed it to you so you could do something about it.”💭 This Week’s ReflectionWhere are you being called to speak up—even if it’s uncomfortable, even if it’s costly?And if you’re walking through something heavy: Who can you invite to stand with you so you don’t carry it alone?🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation GoingWebsite: https://www.divinekonnections.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinekonnectionsinc/Follow Deyona on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc/ Village Arms Website: http://villagearms.org💬 Love what you heard?Share this episode with a friend, and leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify to help this show reach more hearts and homes.✨ This is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. Thank you for being part of it.