Fostering Solutions

Shamika Robinson spent most of her life in a suburb of Los Angeles, California, and has been living in Charleston, WV since late 2015. She was raised in a family that emphasized helping others, which shaped her career dedicated to service. Shamika worked for five years at the Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority in Charleston, WV, starting as a Housing Specialist and quickly rising to Inspections...

Morgan Morrison, the co-owner and founder of Rock City Cake Company, a unique bakery and music venue nestled in the heart of West Virginia. Morgan's journey as an entrepreneur exemplifies resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to bringing a modern twist to a beloved classic.   Beyond the bakery, Morgan serves as the Vice President of the Downtown Charleston Association, demonstrating...

Attorney Kusimo-Frazier has built an illustrious career, beginning as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Kanawha and Jackson Counties, West Virginia, where she excelled by winning nearly all her trial cases. She transitioned into private practice with a Charleston law firm, successfully defending numerous clients in criminal cases across municipal, state, and federal courts.   After several year...

Dr. Yvonne S. Lee-Long , a licensed Graduate Social Worker, has been practicing since 2011. She holds a PhD in social work with a focus on Family Intervention and Preservation, where her research explored the relationships between stress, family support, and family resources among custodial grandparents in Appalachia.   An entrepreneur, Yvonne owns "My September Case Management," which assists age...

Morgan Robinson is the owner and Chief Marketing Officer of Focus Marketing Company, where she brings over two decades of experience in marketing, branding, and public relations. Morgan has established herself as a national speaker and facilitator, regularly sharing her insights and strategies at numerous conferences and events. Her career began with a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector, wher...

Owner, Founder, and proud West Virginia transplant, Angelica Gilleran has called the mountain state home for over a decade. With a proven record of growth in digital marketing and brand development, Angelica's skills stem from her belief that in order to excel we must prioritize serving others. In addition to running StrongRapport, you can catch Mrs. Gilleran aka 'Lady Luck' on live tv as the on-a...

Tamara Rush, a proud alumna of West Virginia State University, has dedicated two decades to the field of social work and community service. Growing up in Washington Manor, a Charleston Housing apartment complex in Charleston, West Virginia, Tamara's childhood environment inspired her passion for fairness, advocacy, and community service.   Tamara's career began as a Child Protective Service Worker...

Ashley Wright   Ashley Wright is a second-generation restaurateur who developed her entrepreneurial spirit early on by working in her father’s businesses before and after school.    Before joining the family business at Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill in 2017, Ashley enjoyed a successful 10-year career as a department manager at Publix Supermarket. Her management experience at Publix equipped her with...

Consandra D. Leonard is a seasoned Risk Management Property Adjuster with 32 years of dedicated service, licensed in nine states across the country. Her academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from West Virginia State University. Consandra is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Charleston Institute Alumnae Chapter, serving on the Executive Le...

Today's guest: Dr. Jerica Wesley, a proud native of West Virginia, has dedicated over a decade to serving her community as a Licensed Professional Counselor. With extensive experience in both school and community settings, she has supported the mental health of youth and adults in roles such as school counselor and community mental health provider.   Dr. Wesley's academic journey began at Marshall...

This special episode of Fostering Solutions showcases the authors who will be part of the Midwest Region stop of Delta Authors on Tour on May 4, 2024, at the Kanawha County Public Library, downtown branch. Whether you're a fan of gripping fiction, thought-provoking nonfiction, captivating memoirs, or children’s books, there's something for everyone. Listen to this episode to get a preview of the a...

Justin Clark is the Executive Director of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Charleston, West Virginia. Justin moved to the Mountain State in May of 2021 and led the process of reopening the Clubs to in-person programming following a 15-month COVID-19 related closure. During his tenure, the Clubs have been recognized at the state and national level for successes in programming and advoca...

Clinton Arnold is the CEO of KISRA, Inc. This nonprofit organization provides life, business, affordable housing, mental health, and coaching programs for the recovery, transitioning, and youth populations throughout West Virginia. He is also a West Virginia State University professor, teaching entrepreneurship, marketing, and business operations courses.   Clinton is a former business owner and t...

After nearly 15 years of a serving several different non-profit organizations throughout the Kanawha Valley,  in the fall of 2015 Jessica Hudson took her passion and desire to positively impact people and communities to Huntington, where she became the Executive Director of Dress for Success River Cities, which recently opened a branch in the Kanawha Valley.  After attending Concord University,  J...

Dural is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of KYFC, Inc. Through partnership and mission focused drive, Dural has been able to apply leadership and community support to strategies designed to meet individual and collective social needs of family and community. Since 2006, Dural and his team of committed volunteers and professionals have been able to positively impact community wellness by mo...

Ms. Lansdale is the President/CEO of the Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.. She joined the Center in 1994 and brings over 40 years’ experience in health and health care resulting from her work in both the private and public health sectors. The Center is a private nonprofit that works to strengthen West Virginia’s health care system and improve the health of West Virginians. Before entering...

Sarah began her career with the YMCA of Kanawha Valley in August 2020 where she serves as the President and CEO. The YMCA of Kanawha Valley is comprised of the Charleston Family Y and the Cross Lanes YMCA Child Development Center with $4.5 million in annual revenue. Prior to the Y, Sarah served as the WV Executive Director for the American Heart Association for close to a decade. Before then, she...

A native of Charleston West Virginia, Stephanie Tyree is the Executive Director of the WV Community Development Hub ( The Hub ).    With fifteen years of experience in policy, community development and community organizing, she has dedicated her career to advancing community-based, systemic solutions for rural, coal-impacted communities in Central Appalachia. Her primary area of expertise has cent...

Jennifer Reed Goddard, APR, has served as the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Charleston, West Virginia since 2022. She first joined the organization in 2016 as their Chief Program Officer.    Jennifer started her career as the Director of Communications for the West Virginia Kids Count Fund where she wrote and produced the first four annual data books and developed the communications and outreach...

Born in Los Angeles, California, Mavery Davis moved to West Virginia on a football scholarship. Although his scholarship did not fully materialize, Mavery remained in West Virginia, completed his degree, and had a career filled with ups and downs, as he candidly shares. Maveryis a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), breaking the chains of poverty and creating wealth. He is a CPA by day, serving as...

Melanie Seiler is the founding Executive Director of Active Southern West Virginia, with 20 years of experience in business ownership and management. Melanie has an Associate's degree in Adventure Sports and a Bachelor's in Adventure Recreation Management. She is also certified in CDC Work@Health T3, Diabetes Prevention Program, American Canoe Association stand-up paddle boarding, Professional Ski...

Co-Founder of the Healing House, Inc., Nakia Austin, is an Inspirational Speaker, Professional Counselor, and Certified Life Coach offering over 15 years of experience in strategic thinking and tactical approaches to overcoming adversity. The Healing House, Inc. is a holistic behavioral health program that serves and empowers women. They help trauma-impacted women heal and rebuild. They provide an...

Jennifer Waggener is the founder and executive director of Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley. A South Charleston native, Jennifer attended West Virginia University. Most of her career was spent in corporate administration and marketing, including a long-term role as the Director of Marketing for the Mid-Atlantic region of Skanska, an international construction firm. The Waggeners reloc...

Margaret O’Neal, President of United Way of Central West Virginia, is Dr. Foster’s guest on this episode. The United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community. Margaret discusses the organization's critical support services and the upcoming signature event that includes Dr. Foster and other local leaders.  

Chenelle Coy-Williams, LaToya Davis, and LaQwanza Jackson are social workers with Kanawha County Schools, passionately supporting students and their success.    Her friends describe her as passionate with a big heart. Chenelle Coy-Williams is a woman who wears many hats in the Charleston community. Chenelle has been a Keep Your Faith Corporation (KYFC) therapist for the past year and a social work...