Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kendra Marsh . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kendra , appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.
A defining moment that changed my career was when I was able to participate in Mayor Pugh (Baltimore City) nursing program at Maryland Center for Adult training. I was able to receive my, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) certificate. It opened a door for me because I have a passion for helping others. I did not know how I would pay for classes, but the program was offered free of charge. I currently been in the nursing field for six years now.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was in foster care from 13 to 21 years old. While I was in foster care, I was able to participate on this board called, The Youth Advisory Board. I was able to discuss good and bad advantages about the foster care system. I was able to change different laws when it came to the foster system as well. Then, an opportunity appeared to me about joining, The People’s Commission To Decriminalize Maryland. That was the state board in Maryland. It was same type of work I was doing locally, but in a broader position now. I came into position as, Chair for the Youth Workgroup. Then, I became Co-Chair for the organization. The organization is no longer functioning anymore as of 2023.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was in foster care from 13 to 21 years old. While I was in foster care, I was able to participate on this board called, The Youth Advisory Board. I was able to discuss good and bad advantages about the foster care system. I was able to change different laws when it came to the foster system as well. Then, an opportunity appeared to me about joining, The People’s Commission To Decriminalize Maryland. That was the state board in Maryland. It was same type of work I was doing locally, but in a broader position now. I came into position as, Chair for the Youth Workgroup. Then, I became Co-Chair for the organization. The organization is no longer functioning anymore.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn is, I have to do everything on my own. The reason I had to unlearn this is because it has been tremendous of individuals who have helped me in my career. Being able to have the opportunity to be a Justice Ambassador for the Prison Fellowship based in Virginia, Chair and Co-Chair for a State Board focused on youth in Maryland, and being able to work side by side with lawyers, judges, politicians, etc, with, The People’s Commission To Decriminalize Maryland.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
If I could go back, would I choose the same profession, yes I would. I have currently been CNA/GNA a for six years now. I have college credits with Baltimore City Community College for the Registered Nurse (RN) program. I’m close to graduation for the, Medical Office Assignment (MOA) program at Fortis Institute. I have experienced having to use the skills I have learned in school in the real world. I have dealt with an adult and child situation. I’m using what I learned in school, to help others in life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasmine_forthepeople/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-marsh-5b9169145
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/mskey1895
- Other: https://www.namiwalks.org/participant/442223 https://www.prisonfellowship.org/ http://landing.nuna.ai/kendramarsh23