On today's episode the Black Appalachian Coalition's podcast, Black Re-Membering, Ka'Sondra Brown shares her experiences and insights on the profound impact of community, mentorship, and intentional relationships on personal growth and parenting. As a foster parent and advocate, Ka'Sondra's upbringing in a small town, where the sense of community and the ethic of looking out for one another shaped her, offers a unique perspective on the importance of community support in upbringing. Her emphasis on advocating for marginalized voices, addressing uncomfortable conversations about race and culture, and fostering an environment of love and equality for all children, whether biological or foster, underscores the valuable insights she brings to the conversation. Ka'Sondra's commitment to creating a nurturing environment for all children and her dedication to advocating for important social and mental health issues within the community make this episode a compelling listen for foster parents seeking community support and understanding in upbringing marginalized children.

Meet Ka'Sondra Brown

Ka'Sondra Brown, a resident of Stanford, Kentucky, brings a wealth of experiential knowledge to the discussion on fostering marginalized children. Raised in a close-knit community, Ka'Sondra's upbringing underscores the profound impact of childhood environment on adult outcomes. With a strong emphasis on the importance of community support in upbringing, her insights shed light on the challenges and rewards of foster parenting, the role of racial identity in foster care, and the significance of mental health awareness in minority communities. Ka'Sondra's advocacy for early health detection and screening for minorities further enriches her expertise, positioning her as a valuable voice in the discourse on fostering and upbringing.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand how childhood environment shapes adulthood for foster children.
• Explore the crucial role of community support in fostering marginalized children.
• Uncover the challenges and rewards of being a foster parent in today's society.
• Examine the impact of racial identity on the experiences of children in foster care.
• Gain insight into mental health awareness within minority communities.

The mission of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) is to build a multi-state campaign that amplifies black voices, dismantles the colonized narrative of Appalachia, and uses story-based strategies and solutions that center the voices and lived experiences of Black Appalachians.
For more stories and information about The Black Appalachian Coalition please visit www.blackappalachiancoalition.org.