We were lucky to catch up with Kenya Croom recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kenya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents believed in me from the start. They listened to my opinion early on. As a teenager and in my early twenties, I had input on how family business should run. They really allowed me to have a voice my entire life. That alone built my confidence.

I was introduced to the criminal justice system early as my father spent time in the CA State prison system and in Federal prison. On family visits, my dad would spend the morning time reading the newspaper with me and discussing current events. He would pick a topic, we read and then discuss. It sounds small but for an 8 year to digest and discuss current events was impactful especially considering the circumstances. My dad parented through incarceration.

My mom contributed to my voice and confidence equally. She also encouraged me to have an opinion and made space for me to share my thoughts. As I started having children I realized how much of a super hero my mother is. She never limited me by being discouraging, projecting her own fears and she never told me I couldn’t do something…even though she hadn’t experienced any of the things I was doing herself.

Kenya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I lead A Step to Freedom which is a nonprofit organization started by my father in 1991. ASF provides Interim Housing and support services to single adult males who are justice involved, experience mental health issues and are faced with homelessness.

We have 4 sites in South LA consisting of 96 beds. In addition to Interim Housing we provide a robust Workforce Development Program and a thriving Dad’s program to reconnect families.

I’m most proud of the 49 employees that we staff. These are folks from South LA who have an opportunity to impact the community they live in. We’re a Second Chance employer and many of our employees have lived experience of homelessness or incarceration. We promote from within and we are a family! I am proud to SERVE alongside these folks.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

For 10 years I ran a thriving boutique in Inglewood. During that time, A Step to Freedom was my side gig. I love fashion! I’ve worked in fashion since 1998. I have product development degree from FIDM. And my jewelry designs have graced Vogue, Essence, Harper’s Bazaar and more. But in 2019 God whispered in my spirit that it was time to pivot from what I loved to what I called to do.

Service is so fulfilling and rewarding. I do not regret leaving that business because I know that I am being obedient to God’s call. I did not plan this, I just surrendered! And in doing so doors have opened that I could not imagine.

Providing employment for Black and Brown people in LA is something I’m really proud of! I have an opportunity to mentor, train and develop people who most would have thrown away. It’s truly a blessing.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

We built our reputation by maintaining service excellence. We stand on the promise that our sites will be clean, safe and drug free. We do our very best to maintain that although it can be difficult considering the population we serve.

In the early years it was very important to build solid relationships with client case managers because we depended on word of mouth to spread the word about open beds. We also committed to providing our partners service excellence in the way we served our mutual clients, communication, responsiveness and willingness to take difficult clients.

We also leaned on brand exposure. We visited behavioral health offices, probation meetings, any forum on homelessness. We were extremely present in the space to make sure people knew who we were.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.asteptofreedom.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astep2freedom/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AStep2Freedom
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asteptofreedom/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@astep2freedom

Image Credits
Please credit Leroy Hamilton for the 2 photos of me in the Black SERVE hoodie.