We recently connected with Kami Redd and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kami, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

3 Kings Ranch & Rehabilitation Center is a new non-profit organization in East Texas, driven by a mission to house and educate young men in foster care. Our vision is to offer hope and opportunities to Texas foster children through agriculture. Our programs focus on education, sustainable farming, entrepreneurship, and responsibility.

By providing a nurturing home, comprehensive education, and practical skills in agriculture, we aim to empower these young men to become self-reliant, responsible, and confident individuals who can positively impact their communities.

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 have had the privilege of being featured in several of your publications across different cities, most recently in the Dallas issue. Today, I’d like to share the story behind my journey and purpose. When I relocated to Texas to serve as a Program Coordinator for a nonprofit in Morris County, I became acutely aware of the challenges faced by children in the Texas Foster Care System. Although I initially aspired to become a Foster Parent, I sensed a divine calling guiding me in a different direction. God bestowed upon me a powerful vision, urging me to follow this path instead.

As a result, I am now actively working towards establishing a housing facility and school in a ranch-style environment. This endeavor aims to provide a nurturing home and comprehensive education for the young men between the ages 11-24 that are in need. Through this project, I hope to make a lasting impact in their lives and offer them opportunities for a brighter future. My journey has been one of purpose and determination, and I am committed to fulfilling this vision to better the lives of these children in the Texas Foster Care System.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This journey has been anything but smooth. There came a point where I needed to take a step back for a few months, questioning whether this path was truly right for me. During a property search one day, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a mix of fear and self-doubt. As a city girl, the idea of embracing country living and building something from scratch seemed daunting and impossible. Those negative thoughts were driven by fear, clouding my mindset.

To make matters even more challenging, the loss of one of my closest friends deeply shook me to the core. I found myself retreating from the vision I had and trying to find shortcuts to avoid confronting the difficulties ahead. However, it was in those moments that divine intervention intervened, guiding me back to the original plan and rekindling my determination. Despite the obstacles and emotional turmoil, I am now more committed than ever to see this vision through, understanding that growth often emerges from the most challenging moments.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

I bravely took on a marketing risk by writing a book that delves into the connection between black boys in foster care and the disproportionate representation of black men in prison.

The book, titled “UNVEILING THE TANGLED PATH: BLACK LIVES IN A BROKEN SYSTEM,” presents an unbiased exploration of how subconscious racism influences the treatment of both groups, from the removal of children from their homes to their subsequent incarceration.

Undeniably, this was a huge risk, particularly in Texas, where I have been receiving various forms of hate mail. Nevertheless, I firmly believe in the importance of shedding light on these issues. It’s remarkable to witness the emotional reactions to the book’s title, even from those who haven’t read it yet. This response only reaffirms the significance of the information shared within its pages and its potential to drive positive change in these flawed systems.

I am thrilled to announce that the book is set to be released in October, and I am deeply grateful for some of the overwhelming support I have received so far. For those who are interested, “UNVEILING THE TANGLED PATH” is available for pre-order on the 3 Kings Ranch Texas website. Your support and engagement in this critical conversation are invaluable, and I hope that together, we can make a meaningful impact on these deeply entrenched issues.

In addition to our main mission, we also introduced “Kami’s Milkshake Kids” as a creative initiative. Understanding the importance of privacy and confidentiality for foster kids, we refrain from openly sharing their pictures, names, or personal stories. Instead, we have carefully crafted a group of endearing characters inspired by milkshakes, each representing a foster child and providing valuable insights into their lives and journeys.

This innovative approach allows us to raise awareness about the experiences of foster kids in a sensitive and respectful manner, while still conveying the essence of their stories and the challenges they overcome.

Through “Kami’s Milkshake Kids,” we hope to foster understanding, empathy, and support for these remarkable children who deserve every opportunity to flourish, while also raising funds for maintaining of 3 Kings Ranch & Rehabilitation Center for Young Men

Contact Info:

• Website: 3kingsranchtexas.org
• Instagram: KamiReddTx
• Facebook: 3 Kings Ranch & Rehabilitation Center for Young Men
• Linkedin: 3 Kings Ranch & Rehabilitation Center for Young Men
• Youtube: 33 Kings Ranch & Rehabilitation Center for Young Men
• Other: You can also find me on social media as KamiReddTX

Image Credits
All images were created or captured by me.