Divine Konversations

What if the hardest chapter of your life was actually the first page of your purpose? This episode stopped me in my tracks — because it reminded me that survival isn't the end of the story. It's just the beginning.I had the honor of sitting down with two women who carry so much wisdom, so much grace, and so much real in one room — our very own Diana Kirk, founder and executive director of Divine Connections, and Lavata Haggard, who serves alongside us in this work.Both became moms young. Diana at 12. Lavata at 19, newly married, and navigating a military deployment alone. Their stories couldn't look more different on the outside — but underneath, the threads are the same: loneliness, survival mode, generational patterns, and the slow, holy work of becoming.This wasn't a conversation about what went wrong. It was a conversation about what's still possible — and I needed it just as much as I hope you do.Key Themes + TakeawaysYour first child grows up with you — and that means they also witness your hardest seasons. Both Diana and Lavata reflect honestly on how their older children experienced a version of them that was still figuring it out, and how much that matters.Survival mode is real, but it's not a destination. Working constantly can feel like love — but presence is what our kids remember. Slow down long enough to actually be there.Mentorship can come from unexpected places. Diana's teen parent teacher. Lavata's church community. Neither looked like what they expected — and that's exactly the point.You don't have to earn what you need. Resources, time, space to breathe — you don't have to rush out of them. Use them fully. That's what they're there for.Finding your people is a practice. Go to the parenting class you don't want to go to. Show up at the library storytime. That's where like-minded women are waiting for you.Advocacy is a skill you can learn — and if you can't do it alone yet, it's okay to bring someone with you just to be there. You don't have to fight every battle solo.Nothing is wasted. Everything you've been through is a clue to what you're called to do — and who you're called to reach.Our Favorite Quotes"I was fueled by anger and wanting to prove people wrong. I got a thick skin — because if I hadn't, they would have taken me out a long time ago." — Diana Kirk"I chose me and my kids. I never wanted to be a single mom. But at the end of the day, I had to choose what was healthy for me and for my children." — Lavata Haggard"Purpose leaves clues. Everything you're going through right now is a clue to what you're called to do — and who you're called to." — Diana Kirk"Breathe, babe. Slow down. Take the classes, get the information. There's no hurry." — Diana Kirk"You've given birth at your age. You can do anything." — Lavata HaggardChapter Markers0:00 — Two Stories, One Table3:38 — What We're Most Proud Of5:51 — Your First Child Grows With You11:46 — What Made You Believe You Could Do This20:06 — Survival Mode, the Turning Point, and Letting Go33:35 — The Loneliness Nobody Talks About42:09 — Using Your Voice: Advocacy as a Teen Mom47:10 — A Letter to Your Younger SelfYour TurnThis week's reflection prompt:Where in your life have you been rushing — out of fear, out of habit, or because someone offered you something before you were ready? What would it look like to slow down and choose what you actually want?🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation GoingWebsite: ⁠⁠https://www.divinekonnections.org/⁠⁠Follow Deyona on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc⁠ 💬 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.MB01AOZVAOU3RZY

What if everything you were taught about money was designed to keep you out — and what if you're just one mindset shift away from changing everything for your children and their children?I sat down with two people who are doing the work — not just talking about it, but actively teaching, coaching, and living it. Christopher comes from a background in personal finance, banking, and tax preparation, and now works with the Northland Small Business Development Center helping entrepreneurs grow and succeed. He's also a man on a mission: to help make 100 Black and Brown millionaires before he leaves this earth.Lavata brings over a decade of mortgage banking experience and serves as financial manager with Divine Konnections. She's a certified Freddie Mac Credit Smart coach — and she teaches for free, because she believes this knowledge belongs to all of us.What brought both of them to this work? The same things that brought a lot of us to where we are: watching their mothers struggle alone, burying family members with nothing left behind, and carrying student loan debt into a world that handed it out like candy but never explained the consequences. They came to finance out of necessity. And they stayed because they found the way through.Key Themes & TakeawaysUnderstanding the history of why Black and Indigenous families have been locked out of homeownership, the GI Bill, and capital is the first step toward changing the story.Before you can build anything, you have to believe it's possible for someone who looks like you. Exposure matters — drive through that neighborhood, take your kids somewhere new, let them see what's available to them.Your budget is just one line item. Your net worth — your assets minus your liabilities — is where wealth actually lives. Track it, grow it, celebrate it.The order of assets matters: cash → stocks (start with your 401K match or a Roth IRA) → business ownership → real estate. You don't have to do it all at once, but you need a clear path.Real estate is a cheat code. Homeownership builds equity, improves credit, creates stability, and gives you something to pass on. It was kept from our ancestors — owning it is an act of reclamation.Your emergency fund is your protection. A $500 cushion is a starting place. Without it, every crisis wipes out your momentum. Budget for life happening, because it will.Free resources exist. The Libby app. Freddie Mac's Credit Smart program. Fidelity and Vanguard accounts starting at $50. The Automatic Millionaire. You don't need money to start learning.Our Favorite Quotes"Just because you keep telling me no doesn't mean I can't have it. It just means you're not going to help me get it."  — Christopher's partner"The hard work mentality is a myth. We're not lacking intensity — we're lacking consistency, understanding, and opportunity.""Real estate was my cheat code. And I mean it on so many different levels."  — Christopher"I do what I have to do in order to do what I want to do."  — Lavata"Financial freedom starts when you decide."  — LavataChapter Markers0:00  Welcome to Divine Konversations1:02  Meet the Guests — Finance, Banking & the Road Here3:04  What Brought You to This Work? (The Personal Stories)9:13  Why Generational Wealth Is Missing in Our Communities16:40  Where Do You Start? Mindset, Exposure & Believing It's Possible26:27  Organize First, Then Budget — Net Worth Is the Real Game38:35  Homeownership as Legacy & The Order of Assets48:26  Emergency Funds, Free Resources & Final Words54:07  Rapid Fire: What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?This week's reflection:What is one belief you were handed about money that you're ready to release? And what do you want to believe instead — for yourself and for the people coming after you?You can write it down, pray over it, or share it in the comments. We're in this together.MB01RHUCVCYDJQ3

What does it really mean to grow up Black in Duluth? This conversation mattered because it wasn’t just about race. It was about identity, survival, belonging, leadership, and what happens when young Black boys become Black men in a city still learning how to see them.In this episode, Tatianna sat down with Pez Davila, Kantrelle Kirk, and A.C. Kirk — three Black men deeply rooted in Duluth and deeply committed to the youth of this community.Each of them carries a different story. Some were born here. Some came from New Jersey, Texas, North Carolina, the Twin Cities. Some experienced culture shock. Some felt like fish out of water. All of them have had to navigate what it means to be Black in spaces where they were often the minority — in classrooms, in leadership rooms, in everyday life.It was a real, honest conversation about today’s BIPOC youth in Duluth — the barriers they face, the generational trauma families carry, the systems that complicate progress, and the hope that still refuses to die.Key Theme + TakeawayGrowing up Black in Duluth requires navigating isolation, identity, systemic barriers, and internal narratives — but with community, truth, and accountability, hope is still alive.Our Favorite Quotes“When you walk in the room, act like you belong there.”“We black because of who we are, not because we broke.”“Don’t ever think what you done will make us not love and care for you.”“You’re a star. You can literally do whatever you want — but you’ve got to put work behind it.”“There’s nothing more important than knowing the truth.”Chapter Markers00:00 – Why This Conversation Matters00:56 – Meet Pez, Kantrelle, and A.C.04:57 – School, Culture Shock, and Feeling Out of Place10:57 – Identity, Exploration, and Internal Stories21:15 – Confidence in Uncomfortable Rooms27:23 – The Barriers Facing BIPOC Youth40:02 – What Gives Us Hope50:17 – A Message to the YouthYour TurnThis week’s reflection: Where in your life have you felt like you didn’t belong — and what would it look like to stand firm anyway?Or maybe this: What truth about yourself do you need to hold onto, even when the room feels uncomfortable?Sit with that. Journal it. Pray through it. Talk about it. Healing begins when we’re honest.🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation GoingWebsite: ⁠⁠https://www.divinekonnections.org/⁠⁠Follow Deyona on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc⁠ 💬 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.MB01GDIGR0H1BIV

Today, we sat down with our founder and executive director, Deyona Kirk—but not just as the leader of Divine Connections. We went deeper than we ever have before. Into childhood. Into trauma. Into faith. Into the grief that sparked a movement. And into the weight of leadership that most people never see.She shared about growing up in the projects in Sherman, Texas. Being the oldest. Being “bossy” because she had to be. Supervising at the playground instead of playing. Becoming a mom at 12. Experiencing abuse. Foster care at 14. Homelessness at 16—with a four-year-old.Her relationship with faith wasn’t linear. It was layered. There was anger. Doubt. Wrestling. A literal airplane wing malfunction moment that changed everything. And over time, she says she met God in different ways—Healer. Provider. Comforter. Sustainer.When her mom passed away, something shifted. Grief collided with purpose. The dream she had journaled about for years—opening a home for young mothers in honor of her mom—suddenly became urgent.What We Walked Away WithLeadership is heavy. Not glamorous. Heavy.Healing doesn’t always happen in isolation—it can happen through service.Impact isn’t numbers. It’s lives changed.Discernment grows when you stop ignoring your gut.You can love your calling and still wrestle with what it costs.Sometimes the organization grows because the leader is willing to grow first.Our Favorite Quotes“Nothing is ever wasted.”“Church is like an emergency room waiting room. Everybody there is hurting.”“I don’t care about numbers. I care about impact.”“We’re not creating products. We’re entrusted with people’s lives.”“I just want my grandchildren to say, ‘My nana helped a lot of people.’”Chapter Markers00:01:12 – The Oldest Child & The Weight of Responsibility00:05:13 – Abuse, Foster Care & Becoming a Young Mom00:10:52 – The Airplane & The Altar00:27:32 – Building Divine Connections From Grief00:38:58 – When the Vision Met Reality00:44:16 – The Sacrifice of Leadership00:55:01 – The Hardest Truth About LeadershipYour TurnThis week’s reflection:What pain in your life might actually be pointing toward purpose?And—Where are you being invited to trust your discernment, even if it feels scary?Sit with that. Journal it. Pray over it.And if this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear that nothing they’ve lived through is wasted.We’ll see you in the next Divine Konversation.🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation GoingWebsite: ⁠⁠https://www.divinekonnections.org/⁠⁠Follow Deyona on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc⁠ 💬 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.MB01QTUMBU8QYPV

What does it mean to build belonging in a place where you’ve never seen yourself reflected?For me, this episode wasn’t just another conversation—it was a piece of home. A piece of identity. A reminder that our stories, our families, and our roots are deeply intertwined with the soil we stand on, even when that soil is frozen half the year in northern Minnesota.In this episode, I sat down with two incredible women—Susana Pelayo Woodward and Melisa Gomez Romo—to talk about what it means to be Latinx in Duluth.This conversation felt personal. For me, as someone adopted from Honduras and raised in the Twin Ports, it’s a lifelong journey of reconciling identity—of learning to see beauty in difference when all you wanted as a child was to blend in. Sitting with Susana and Melissa felt like breathing in recognition.Both women are mothers, leaders, and fierce advocates shaping what it means to belong here—building bridges in schools, faith spaces, and community gatherings where our voices haven’t always been heard.We talked about what it means to raise bilingual children in a place that doesn’t always understand your culture. About navigating racism, creating safe spaces, and the joy (and ache) of trying to give your kids roots when your own story began across borders.Key Themes + TakeawaysIdentity & Belonging: How we hold on to our culture while making space for new definitions of home.Motherhood & Leadership: The emotional labor of showing up for our families and our communities.Resilience Across Generations: Teaching our kids to stand proud in who they are, even when the world tells them otherwise.Community Building in Duluth: From salsa nights at Oasis del Norte to cultural centers at UMD—how representation becomes the foundation of hope.Legacy & Vision: The dream of a Latino Resource Center, more Latino-owned businesses, and political representation that reflects our presence in the Northland.Our Favorite Quotes“Don’t ask me if I can do something just because I have kids—ask me, and I’ll tell you if I can.” – Susana Pelayo Woodward“We’re carving out community from a blank slate. I want my kids to have a home they can come back to.” – Melissa Gomez Romo“I told my son, we’ve always been here. The border moved—we didn’t.” – Susana“You are the only one who knows the strengths of your child. Show up for them, every single time.” – Melissa“We’re here. And we’re not going anywhere.” – BothChapter Markers00:00 – A Personal Beginning02:00 – Susana’s Story: From Mexico City to Ely, MN04:00 – Melissa’s Story: From L.A. to Arkansas to the Northland09:00 – Being Latinx Mothers & Leaders18:00 – Racism & Resilience23:00 – Education & Advocacy40:00 – Sports, Safety, and the Reality of Raising Brown Kids in Minnesota54:00 – The Power of Community01:03:00 – Legacy & What Comes NextYour Turn ✨This week’s reflection: Where are you being invited to show up—for your family, your culture, or your community—even when it feels uncomfortable or unseen?Because when we show up, we make the world a little bit more like home.🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation GoingWebsite: ⁠⁠https://www.divinekonnections.org/⁠⁠Follow Deyona on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc⁠ 💬 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.MB01KXURGY2P6UU

What does it mean to belong when you’re never quite “enough” for either side? Growing up biracial in Minnesota, that question followed us into classrooms, workplaces, and even the most ordinary spaces—like the grocery store or the dentist’s office.In this episode, it’s just the two of us—Tatianna and Tatiana, aka T²—sitting down to have a conversation we haven’t shared much about publicly: what it’s like to be biracial in Duluth, MN. Our stories are different—I grew up in an all-white adoptive family in Superior, while my co-host spent summers in Duluth before moving here permanently. But in so many ways, the threads of identity, hair, family, and belonging weave together.We talk about code-switching before we even had the language for it, the stares and awkward questions that follow biracial kids, and how spaces like Divine Konnections have finally given us room to show up as our whole selves.Key Themes + TakeawaysThe “Where are you from?” question. How curiosity can carry an undercurrent of exclusion.Code-switching + survival. Learning to “speak white” or minimize parts of ourselves to fit in.Hair as identity. From relaxers and straighteners to embracing curls, and how professional spaces still police Black hair.Family dynamics. What it means to grow up with blended, multiracial families and the assumptions strangers make.Spaces of belonging. How Divine Konnections has created a home where we can bring our whole selves without apology.Advice to our younger selves. “It’s going to be okay. You are enough."Pull Quotes“Sometimes I shut down the part of me that’s a woman of color just to get my point across in white spaces.”“My favorite answer when people ask about my braids? A random number. It keeps them guessing.”“If you didn’t feel like you belonged before, this is the space where you do.”“I can be professional with my natural hair, my nails, my lashes—or without any of it. I am still enough.”“It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to talk different, act different, look different. You are enough.”Chapter Markers00:00 – Growing up biracial in Minnesota06:10 – The “Where are you from?” question10:01 – Code-switching + survival in white spaces12:35 – The hair conversation: relaxers, braids, and respectability20:00 – When professionalism gets tied to straight hair23:44 – Finding belonging at Divine Konnections27:50 – Parenting biracial kids in Duluth35:16 – Small-town mapping + the mental weight of stares43:10 – “Am I Black enough?” and the fight for belonging49:30 – Spaces of empowerment + representation56:01 – Advice we’d give our younger selvesYour Turn (Reflective CTA)This week’s reflection: When have you felt the pressure to shrink or hide part of who you are just to fit in—and what would it look like to show up as your whole self instead?🙌 Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation GoingWebsite: ⁠⁠https://www.divinekonnections.org/⁠⁠Follow Deyona on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/divine_konnections_inc⁠ 💬 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.

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.

What do you do when the system doesn’t see your child the way you do?As a parent of a Black child with autism, that question isn’t just theoretical—it’s a daily reality. And today’s conversation is one I’ll carry with me for a long time. Mikilia Carroll is a fierce advocate, the founder of Aid for Autism, and most importantly, the mother of three—including her son Logan, who has shaped her life and calling in the most profound ways.This episode wasn’t just informative—it was a heart-to-heart. Mikilia shows up with her full truth: the overwhelm, the systems that gaslight parents, the beauty of raising a child who sees the world differently, and the powerful reminder that you are your child’s best advocate.This one is for every parent who’s ever been dismissed in an IEP meeting, every caregiver who’s cried behind a locked bathroom door, and every community member wondering how to show up better for our children.Meet Mikilia CarrollMikilia is the founder and CEO of Aid for Autism, a community-based organization built from the ground up with lived experience. Her journey began with her son Logan, and what started as a personal mission became a movement.She’s a mom, an educator, a fighter, and someone who never backs down from asking the hard questions. This episode is a masterclass in advocacy, but it’s also a love letter to the parents who are out here doing the most—and still feeling like it’s not enough.What We Talked AboutWhy your child’s diagnosis is not the final wordHow to advocate in IEP meetings when you feel ignoredPlanning for transitions like adulthood and independent livingGuardianship, paperwork, and the systems no one explainsThe emotional weight of caregiving—and the beauty in showing up anywayWhy extended family and community matter more than everFavorite Quotes“If I would’ve listened to those doctors, my son would be sitting in a corner somewhere tying shoes. He knows so much more than they gave him credit for.”“Every IEP is different. Don’t let them hand you a packet and call it a plan.”“Just because they have a diagnosis doesn’t mean they don’t feel. Don’t talk about them like they’re not in the room.”“We’re not asking for pity—we’re asking for partnership. Be a village. Let me take a nap.”“You’re not alone. There are people who get it. Let us guide you.”🔖 Chapter Markers01:20 Meet Michaela + her son Logan03:00 What Black parents should do after a diagnosis05:50 Why you can challenge the professionals08:00 How to advocate effectively in school meetings11:30 Navigating big transitions + preparing for adulthood13:05 Guardianship 101: what no one tells you14:56 Signs of caregiver burnout—and what to do18:30 How community can truly support parents21:45 Having “the talk” with your child about being Black and autistic26:00 Services + waivers parents don’t know they can ask for29:00 The importance of empathy, visibility, and asking the child directly31:00 Michaela’s final word to every parent: You are not alone📝 Your TurnThis week’s reflection prompt:“Where in your life are you being called to speak up, even when it feels like no one is listening?”Whether you're a parent, educator, or ally—this episode invites you to look deeper, ask questions, and trust your intuition. Our kids are watching. Let’s show them what advocacy looks like.🙌 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/⁠ 💬 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.

What does advocacy look like when you’re juggling survival, culture, and a complicated system?Sometimes, it looks like showing up. And sometimes, it looks like sending someone in your place—because your child still deserves to be seen.This week on Divine Konversations, I sat down with Jebeh Edmunds—a powerhouse voice in education and cultural consulting, and someone I deeply admire. Jebeh spent 18 years as a classroom teacher and now leads Jebeh Cultural Consulting, where she helps bridge the gap between schools and the BIPOC families they serve.This conversation isn’t just about education—it’s about dignity, advocacy, and the power of showing up for our kids even when the system feels like it wasn’t built for us. Whether you’re a parent navigating IEP meetings, chronic health concerns, CPS involvement, or just trying to decode school communication—it’s all here. Jebeh brings clarity, compassion, and truth.🌿 Key Themes + TakeawaysHow to stay involved in your child’s education, even when life makes it hardWhat an IEP really is—and how the process is supposed to workThe importance of parent communication and how to make your presence known (even if you can’t physically be in the room)How unconscious bias shows up in classrooms—and how to challenge itThe red flags families should never ignore in school communicationWhy protective styles, cultural assumptions, and lived experiences matter in educationHow immigrant and first-gen families can find community and advocacy supportMemorable Quotes“I may not be there physically, but I have a voice. And I have a right to advocate for my child.”“We’re not just raising students—we’re raising humans navigating systems that weren’t always designed for them.”“You need to see my face. That’s how you’ll know I’m here.”“Teachers talk. But every child deserves to walk into a room as a clean slate.”“Even if it’s just a bruise from the park or a bad night’s sleep—tell your teacher. It’s all part of the story.”⏱️ Chapter Markers02:00 Meet Jebeh: Faith, family, and founding Jebeh Cultural Consulting04:28 What is an IEP—and how should that process unfold?08:50 What to look for when evaluating schools11:11 Navigating school meetings when you’re involved with CPS14:00 How to protect yourself from neglect accusations if your child is chronically ill17:00 Red flags in school communication that parents overlook21:00 Why cultural context—like protective hairstyles—matters24:30 How unconscious bias shows up in the classroom26:45 Pushing for change without burning bridges28:30 How immigrant families can find support and community✨ Your Turn: This Week’s ReflectionWhat’s one small way you can show your face—literally or symbolically—at your child’s school this month?Whether it’s a quick check-in email, asking a question, or letting someone know what’s going on at home, your voice matters.📌 Stay ConnectedJebeh’s Website: www.jbaedmunds.comJebeh’s Podcast: Cultural Curriculum Chat*Jebeh’s Book (coming Fall 2025): Orange BlossomSign up for her newsletter to follow the journey.🙌 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/⁠ 💬 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.

What does it really take to protect and preserve Black families in a system that was never designed with us in mind?This episode is personal. It’s layered. And it’s needed.We’re talking about what triggers Child Protection cases, how families can advocate for themselves within the system, and the very real harm that comes when biases and bureaucracy collide with Black parenting.ChaQuana is a mother, a grandmother, a wife—and a former social worker who’s worked in our community for years. Her perspective is rare and so necessary. She’s lived on both sides of the system: as a parent who’s experienced a CPS case, and as a professional who’s had to carry out the decisions that change people’s lives.In this episode, we get honest about what opens a case, how fast things can escalate, and what families need to know—both to prevent involvement and to survive it when it happens. We talk about the power social workers really hold, the fears families carry, and the weight of being a Black parent under a constant microscope.This conversation isn’t just for families. It’s for the social workers, too. The ones in the field. The ones in the meetings. The ones who care—but might not always see the full picture.🔑 What We Talked AboutHow poverty and bias open doors to CPS involvementWhy language, school attendance, and cultural misunderstandings matterThe difference between being “real” and being “wrong” in front of a caseworkerThe hard truths about family placements and licensingWhy every Black parent should document everything—and what to do if your file is wrongWhat both families and social workers need to unlearn✨ Standout Quotes“Eyes on Black families is the beginning of an open case.”“Your raw emotions are not necessary in that space. Be real. Don’t be wrong.”“Stop thinking you’ve got time to be angry. Get busy if you want your kids back.”“Families are fighting for their children. Social workers are fighting for the child. And we end up fighting each other.”“We don’t need capes. We need foster homes.”⏱️ Chapter Markers02:26 What really triggers a CPS case05:19 ChaQuana’s personal story—when her own son opened a case07:13 Who really has the power in these cases09:48 Why family placement doesn’t always happen13:09 DHS, licensing, and the truth about relative care17:17 Three prevention tips for Black families21:44 Emotional intelligence and documentation26:37 Mistakes families make—and what to do instead30:12 Final words for community, parents, and social workers📓 Your TurnIf you’re a parent, a provider, or just someone who cares about our community—pause and ask yourself:“Where in my life do I need to slow down and get serious about documentation, support, or systems that impact my family?”This isn’t about perfection. It’s about protection. It’s about truth. And it’s about staying ready so we don’t have to get ready.🙌 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/⁠ 💬 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.

What if the system was never built to protect us—but we rose up and did it anyway?There’s a moment in this episode that stopped me in my tracks. We were talking about navigating systems that weren’t designed with us in mind—school systems, child protection services, medical systems—and someone said: “They just have a title. They’re broken people, too.” That stayed with me.Because what do you do when the help you need comes from people who don’t understand your story?You gather your sisters. You speak the truth. You don’t wait for permission. And that’s exactly what we did in this conversation—six Black women, all of us deeply connected to community, family, and the sacred work of healing.The Women in the RoomThis roundtable was a heart-led, no-holds-barred conversation with women I deeply respect:ChaQuana McEntyre – A fierce mama of ten, former social worker, and truth-teller who speaks from lived experience.Mikilia Carroll – Founder of Aid for Autism, advocate, and the kind of mother every kid deserves in their corner.Porsche Gordin – A therapist and licensed alcohol & drug counselor who brings both clinical wisdom and lived empathy to the table.Jebeh Edmunds – Educator, Liberian American, and founder of Jebeh Cultural Consulting. Her work reshapes how schools honor identity and culture.Tatianna Kirk – My daughter and co-host, always grounding us in grace and purpose.We didn’t hold back. We talked about what we’ve lived, what we’ve seen, and what we’re still fighting for.🧭 What We CoveredThe weight of raising Black children in a system not built for themAutism advocacy, early signs, and why diagnosis isn't defeatThe thin line between discipline and shame—and why we need to stop hiding behind “that’s just how we were raised”What really changes when parents apologize to their kidsWhy reunification after foster care takes more than just paperworkThe unspoken grief of losing time with your childrenAnd the bold truth: prayer matters—but so does therapy, parenting classes, and showing up🗣️ Quotes Worth Sitting With“Your master's degree is a piece of paper. Being a Black woman—that’s what makes me show up the way I do.”“Give your kids the gift of believing in them.”“Voluntary services? Not really voluntary. It’s an offer with strings attached. Know that.”“Don't wait until the system checks you. Check yourself.”“Stop relying on Black resiliency to carry your kids. They're not okay. They're tired, too.”⏱ Chapter Markers03:01 Who we are and why we do this work14:34 Parenting lessons that changed how we show up23:42 Early signs of autism and the power of a mother’s instinct30:59 Cultural silence: why Black families delay diagnosis37:15 Mental health vs. “bad behavior”—how to tell the difference50:32 How shame and culture block us from getting help54:00 What to do when the school system fails your child1:04:00 Reunification and the real work it takes1:09:24 Final encouragement: therapy, prayer, accountability💬 This Week’s ReflectionWhere in your parenting (or your healing) journey are you relying on silence instead of support?What would it look like to ask for help, even if it feels uncomfortable?You don’t have to do it alone. But you do have to start.🙌 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/⁠ 💬 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.

What if the thing that broke you becomes the very thing you build with?This podcast started from a promise—to my mother, to my daughter, and to every young mom still fighting to be seen.I’m Deyona Kirk, founder of Divine Konnections and host of Divine Konversations. This episode is s story about pain, purpose, and why this work is so personal. I had my first child at 12. I’ve been through foster care, homelessness, and addiction. I know what it’s like to be counted out. And I also know what it’s like to come back stronger—and bring others with you.This show was born out of everything we’ve lived and everything we’re still learning. You’ll hear from me, from my daughter Tatianna, and from our teammate Tatiana Bergum, as we open up about why Divine Konnections exists, how we got here, and where this podcast will take us.These conversations are not easy—but they’re necessary.🔑 Key Themes + TakeawaysThe roots of Divine Konnections and how it grew from a personal calling to a community movementThe challenges of opening a culturally specific house for young BIPOC moms in DuluthWhat we weren’t prepared for: the mental health crisis, the systems failing our families, and how COVID changed everythingWhy this podcast is a tool—for families, for advocates, for systems that need changeA sneak peek at the powerhouse voices coming in future episodesOur Favorite Quotes“I had a baby at 12. I had that experience. But I was still able to make it out—and it became my responsibility to go back and help someone else.”“We thought we were ready. We weren’t ready. What these moms are carrying? It’s layers and layers of trauma.”“People ask why we serve BIPOC moms. Because those are the ones falling through the cracks. Because representation matters.”“This podcast is for the families—but it’s also for the systems that say they care. Let’s have the real conversation.”Chapter Markers00:00 Welcome to Divine Konversations00:56 Deyona shares her story—and her why04:07 Meet Tatianna Kirk and Tatiana Burgum08:00 From Texas to Duluth: How the house got started10:20 The realities we weren’t prepared for13:57 Why Black and disabled mothers are losing their children16:48 What we’re doing—and who we’re bringing in20:06 Stories from school, policy, and parenting22:15 What to expect from this podcastYour TurnThis week’s reflection:Where in your life are you being called to turn pain into purpose?Maybe it’s something you’ve survived, something you’ve witnessed, or something you’re just now finding the courage to speak out about. Journal on what it would look like to be part of someone else’s healing.🙌 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/⁠ 💬 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.

Episode 1 and 2 coming August 4th 2025!🙌 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/⁠