“Melanated Goddess”: KeKe’s Journey to Purpose, Power, and Possibility
KeKe stepped off the train in Washington, DC with a dream, a degree, and a bold determination to start over. Originally from Southside Chicago, Illinois, and a recent graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in English and a concentration in Creative Writing, she was leaving behind the safety of the life she’d known, determined to leap into something deeply meaningful to her: a life of purpose, rooted in helping others.
“I left everything behind,” she said. “I donated all my things, got on a train, and came to DC. I didn’t know what was next, but I knew I was going to be okay.”
KeKe’s faith would soon be tested. Within days of arriving, she found herself without a place to live. For four nights, she slept at Union Station. On the fifth night, she found a bench at a women’s shelter. “I had never experienced homelessness. I grew up with a single mom who worked hard to give me everything. I was very well taken care of,” she said. “But when college ended and life started, I had to figure things out on my own.”
From that moment, KeKe began a new journey, not only of survival, but of transformation. She began working with a case manager, Mikea, who saw something in her right away: someone capable, focused, and determined to thrive. “I was her first youth client,” KeKe shared. “And she really pushed to get me out of there, because she saw what I could do. She believed in me.”
That connection led KeKe to one of Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s programs, where she received access to safe, stable housing and the wraparound support she needed to move forward. But nothing was just handed to her. KeKe makes it clear: “It wasn’t just that I got the help. I put in the work. I showed up, I gave people what they needed, I was networking, applying, meeting, doing everything I could. Because in my mind, I told myself, ‘It’s just me. There’s no backup plan.’”
At Sasha Bruce Youthwork, KeKe found more than shelter, she found a foundation, a space to breathe, a place to build. With the support of her case manager Mikea and Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s staff, she set goals and pursued them with tenacity. “Employment was my first priority. I came to DC to work in the nonprofit field. I just needed someone to give me a chance.”
That chance came through a conversation with her therapist, Emily, who connected her to Leigh Bailey from the Sasha Bruce Youthwork Development team. Leigh helped KeKe build connections in the DC fundraising community and supported her job search by introducing her to professionals in the field. When an internship later opened in the Development Department, KeKe was invited to apply. Her interview was a success, and she officially joined the team as a Fundraising and Donor Relations Intern—a role that has since become a cornerstone in her journey toward independence.
“It’s been nothing but a breakthrough,” she says. “This internship is helping me build the skills, the confidence, and the connections I need to start my career in nonprofit work. I get to go to events, meet donors, represent Sasha Bruce, and tell our story, and my story.”
KeKe brings more than professionalism to her internship; she brings lived experience. As someone who has walked through the challenges Sasha Bruce Youthwork seeks to address, her perspective is powerful. Her creative writing background also shines through in her work. “Nonprofit work is all about storytelling and in this internship, I am able to tell my story creatively” she said.
She’s also deeply aware of how easy it is for others to make assumptions about youth experiencing homelessness. “Before coming to DC, I never experienced homelessness,” KeKe shared. “I was spoiled. I got everything I ever wanted… but once I graduated, that’s when life started really life-ing.” She hopes her story helps shift people’s thinking and encourages more compassion.
This clarity and heartfulness have already made an impact. KeKe was surprised to receive a personal reply from one of the donors who received her hand-written thank-you letter. “She said she was grateful and wished me well. That meant everything. It reminded me that people really do care, they want to help. And that’s something I get to see now from the inside.”
Today, KeKe is thriving. She’s not only interning with Sasha Bruce Youthwork but also a proud member of the CURB (Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s youth advisory board). She hopes to follow in the footsteps of youth advocates who came before her and expand their legacy. “I want to be in the rooms where youth usually aren’t. I want to speak for those who haven’t found their voice yet and push for the changes we all need.”
When asked what she hopes for the future, her answer is simple and profound: “To help as many people as I can. To open my own nonprofit someday or be part of one where I can share my story, use my skills, and make sure people know they’re not alone.”
If she could give her journey a title, KeKe already has it ready: “Melanated Goddess.” It’s a reflection of her identity, her power, and the grace with which she navigates every challenge. “I’ve been through things most people wouldn’t even know,” she said. “But I’m still here. I’m still soft, still kind, still showing up in a world that tries to make me hard. That makes me a Goddess.”
At Sasha Bruce Youthwork, we are proud to stand beside KeKe, to support her dreams, and to learn from her resilience. She reminds us what’s possible when strength, support, and self-belief come together.
To other youth facing hard times, KeKe offers this:
“Keep advocating for yourself. Keep fighting for yourself. Be authentic. Believe in yourself. I didn’t start out the way I planned, but I found my way. And so can you.”
