Soulful Liberation

Discouragement is a blessing in disguise with Ángela Quijada-Banks What if we could see beyond the discouraging experiences and see the blessing within it? Listen in as Ángela shares her journey and how discouraging experiences helped her get more clear about her evolution of self and purpose. Learn more about JIT for Foster Youth: https://jitfosteryouth.org/ ---- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Angela Quijada-Banks, (she/her) is an American Award-winning author, a transformational speaker, and a holistic health coach. Her book, the Black Foster Youth Handbook earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination (in the outstanding literary work category), and went on to receive several awards including first place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards. Her Ebook, The 7 Day Raw Cleanse gained quick traction and has over 600 downloads. She is currently writing a new book set to release in March 2023. Ángela has touched thousands through her speaking engagements and message encouraging others to alchemize their pain into purpose and power. Through her coaching, she supports women impact leaders who are also wives by supporting their holistic wellness journey to become re-energized for life and reconnect to their passions, purpose, and partner. As a nationally recognized community leader and philanthropist, Ángela started the Soulful Liberation movement, impacting over 30,000 people. This movement helped to revolutionize historically oppressive systems by healing trauma utilizing holistic health, coaching, workshops, training, and programming. Ángela is an adventurer at heart and wife to her amazing husband, Michael who is a United States Marine. The couple currently live in San Diego, California with their 2 cats, Luna and Felix. Ángela enjoys traveling the world, engaging in creative and artful projects including, music, dance, photography and poetry. She also enjoys exploring nature and nestling her head in a good book. On days she is not leading her company, coaching, or community organizing, you can find Ángela binge-watching tv shows, at a concert, learning something new, or getting an adrenaline rush at an amusement park with beloved family and friends. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

In this episode, Ángela Quijada-Banks shares with listeners how she began to envision a life beyond her reality and encourages listeners to expand their vision of who they want to become. She shares a bit about the Black Foster Youth Handbook and in what ways we may need to take a look at ideas that may be holding us back from freedom. ---- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Angela Quijada-Banks, (she/her) is an American Award-winning author, a transformational speaker, and a holistic health coach. Her book, the Black Foster Youth Handbook earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination (in the outstanding literary work category), and went on to receive several awards including first place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards. Her Ebook, The 7 Day Raw Cleanse gained quick traction and has over 600 downloads. She is currently writing a new book set to release in March 2023. Ángela has touched thousands through her speaking engagements and message encouraging others to alchemize their pain into purpose and power. Through her coaching, she supports women impact leaders who are also wives by supporting their holistic wellness journey to prioritize their well-being, recommit to their partners, and reconnect to their passions and purpose. As a nationally recognized community leader and philanthropist, Ángela started the Soulful Liberation movement, impacting over 30,000 people. This movement helped to revolutionize historically oppressive systems by healing trauma utilizing holistic health, coaching, workshops, training, and programming. Ángela is an adventurer at heart and wife to her amazing husband, Michael who is a United States Marine. The couple currently live in San Diego, California with their 2 cats, Luna and Felix. Ángela enjoys traveling the world, engaging in creative and artful projects including, music, dance, photography and poetry. She also enjoys exploring nature and nestling her head in a good book. On days she is not leading her company, coaching, or community organizing, you can find Ángela binge-watching tv shows, at a concert, learning something new, or getting an adrenaline rush at an amusement park with beloved family and friends. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

Our guest on the Soulful Liberation podcast today is the incredible Victor Sims who is featured in the I Am Success Workbook- Youth companion guide to the Black Foster Youth Handbook. Our guest, Victor Sims Victor Sims is a community leader, seasoned speaker and the founder of Guiding Hope Inc, Child Welfare Agency that was founded in July of 2020 because of the growing and expansive needs of the Child Welfare System. As a tedx speaker he focuses on the imperative aspects of social capital for youth in foster care. Although experiencing Florida's foster care system, Victor has traveled the country advising legislators on various issues regarding teens' experiences in foster care. Having been a part of many initiatives and successful pilot programs, Victor's main aim is to inspire hope within others who are experiencing a sense of hopelessness so that they can shift their perspective for good no matter how rough their start was. ---- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Ángela Quijada-Banks is a Holistic health coach for purpose-led professional and entrepreneurial-spirited women who struggle with chronic burnout. She is an NAACP Image Award Nominated, American author of the best-selling book, The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal. She is the Founder of Soulful Liberation which started as a podcast to support young people with trauma navigate their healing journey during the pandemic and has expanded into a movement to liberate one's self and community! As a transformational speaker and artist, she has impacted thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Ángela is a scholar at Legacy Holistic Health Institute studying Holistic Health and wellness. Through her everyday work with helping young people uncover their divine purpose, performing spoken word events, facilitating workshops, and political advisory to legislators across the nation, she aims to aid in a revolutionary change in the areas of holistic health, economic injustices, child welfare disparities, cultural awareness and identity within low-wealth communities of color both on a micro and macro level. Born in Anaheim, CA her reach has spanned across the nation and in several countries. And for her, this is only the beginning of her movement to promote generational soulful liberation of self and community. Between her day-to-day adventures, Ángela enjoys traveling the world, exploring various passions such as dancing, singing, self-defense, and adrenaline rushes at amusement parks with her husband, Michael. She is lovingly called a “graceful powerhouse” by all who know her, as she authentically shares her journey with the world. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

Our guest on the Soulful Liberation podcast today is the incredible Veronica Krupnick who is featured in the I Am Success Workbook- Youth companion guide to the Black Foster Youth Handbook. Our guest, Veronica Krupnick: Veronica Krupnick is a member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona with Jemez Pueblo and Navajo heritage. She is the (MAPS) Program Coordinator with CASA First.She is also a member of the Child Welfare and Race Equity Collaborative, the New Mexico Partners, Tewa Women United and the National Foster Youth and Alumni Policy Council. Her focus is supporting the holistic well-being and healing journey of indigenous people and communities. Learn more about Veronica Krupnick at www.soulfulliberation.com/resources ---- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Ángela Quijada-Banks, (she/her) is an NAACP Image Awards Nominee and American Award-winning author of the Black Foster Youth Handbook. As a transformational speaker, she has touched thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Through her holistic health coaching she supports spiritual wives in business to heal their acne, recover from iron deficiency anemia and prioritize their well-being without the sacrifice of their relationships,purpose or passions. As a nationally recognized community leader and philanthropist, she started the Soulful Liberation movement, impacting over 30,000 people to revolutionize historically oppressive systems through holistic health and healing trauma with coaching, workshops, training, and programming. She is currently writing a new book set to release September 2022. Ángela is an adventurer and wife to her amazing husband, Michael- a United States Marine whom both live in San Diego, California with their 2 cats, Luna and Felix. Ángela enjoys traveling the world, being in creative and artful projects not limited to music, dance, photography and poetry, exploring nature and nestling her head in a good book. On days she is not leading her company, coaching or community organizing- you can find her binge-watching tv shows , at a concert , learning something new or adrenaline rushes at amusement parks with family and friends. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

Our guest on the Soulful Liberation podcast today is the change agent Eric Warner who is featured in the I Am Success Workbook- Youth companion guide to the Black Foster Youth Handbook. Eric Warner (He/They pronouns) first entered care when he was 8 years old. Through a series of traumatic events and rehabilitation he was able to be reunified with his mother. This, unfortunately, would be an unsuccessful reunion and he would re-engage with the child welfare system at 11. While fighting with feeling validated throughout his youth an unwanted, forceful change prompted Eric with the opportunity to make a change in his life. His personal connection to once being a recipient of services from child welfare allows him a unique perspective when engaging in reformation and change implementation for states and nations. Utilizing, further, his skills in navigating the “aging-out” process and accessing services related to higher-education afford him a wide-set view for the changing and adverse needs related to varying populations that make up the foster care and related fields population. After transitioning out of foster care, Eric found himself searching for a heightened purpose and familial connection that would come to him in a unique way. The family connection that has helped him become the person who he is today has been made and entered into with a refreshed gaze and enlightened emotional awareness. This is to describe that he has created the family around him, even to the point of reintroducing biological relatives to his meaning of family and what that would mean to re-engage with him. Through this time in his life he refound his passion for and engaged in higher education and seeking his college degree. He has studied at an array of institutions but now attends courses studying Criminal Justice in his pursuit for his B.A. Eric has had the opportunity to be a public servant for child welfare in varying roles within organizations on a local, state and federal level with each providing more opportunity to enhance his skills and passion for advancing child welfare work and reforming the current structure and ideology of systemic change and implementation. Currently, consultation and collaborative implementation work will allow him the chance to commit his full areas of skill to bring about change needed to promote resilience, self-determination and establish/maintain sufficiency of services and standards for children and young adults in care. - The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

In leu of Black History Month, Ángela Quijada-Banks shares her poem When we became Black people. Listen to hear her powerful words on the complexities of Blackness. ----------- If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share with someone who may enjoy this as well. Thank you for stopping by! --------- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Ángela Quijada-Banks is a Holistic health coach for purpose-led professional and entrepreneurial-spirited women who struggle with chronic burnout. She is an NAACP Image Award Nominated, American author of the best-selling book, The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal. She is the Founder of Soulful Liberation which started as a podcast to support young people with trauma navigate their healing journey during the pandemic and has expanded into a movement to liberate one's self and community! As a transformational speaker and artist, she has impacted thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Ángela is a scholar at Legacy Holistic Health Institute studying Holistic Health and wellness. Through her everyday work with helping young people uncover their divine purpose, performing spoken word events, facilitating workshops, and political advisory to legislators across the nation, she aims to aid in a revolutionary change in the areas of holistic health, economic injustices, child welfare disparities, cultural awareness and identity within low-wealth communities of color both on a micro and macro level. Born in Anaheim, CA her reach has spanned across the nation and in several countries. And for her, this is only the beginning of her movement to promote generational soulful liberation of self and community. Between her day-to-day adventures, Ángela enjoys traveling the world, exploring various passions such as dancing, singing, self-defense, and adrenaline rushes at amusement parks with her husband, Michael. She is lovingly called a “graceful powerhouse” by all who know her, as she authentically shares her journey with the world. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

Our guest, Rimy Morris Rimy Morris: Rimy Morris is 24 year old and has 11 years of lived experience in child welfare. She is the co-founder of Raising Resilience, an organization created to act as a support to minority communities through providing tools, training and custom made resources to support them and the people who work with them. She is also the author of the Foster Parents; Caring in Color and the Foster Parents; Caring in Color Guidebook.Rimy works in multiple spaces in child welfare, nationally and locally, to help young people currently experiencing care to find their voices. Rimy is currently working to expand her public speaking, training and planning to publish more resources to aid in creating change in child welfare. Learn more about Rimy Morris at www.soulfulliberation.com/resources About Raising resilience- https://raisingresilience.squarespace.com/ Grab her books- https://raisingresilience.squarespace.com/foster-parents-caring-in-color -------------------------------------- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Ángela Quijada-Banks is a Holistic health coach for purpose-led professional and entrepreneurial-spirited women who struggle with chronic burnout. She is an NAACP Image Award Nominated, American author of the best-selling book, The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal. She is the Founder of Soulful Liberation which started as a podcast to support young people with trauma navigate their healing journey during the pandemic and has expanded into a movement to liberate one's self and community! As a transformational speaker and artist, she has impacted thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Ángela is a scholar at Legacy Holistic Health Institute studying Holistic Health and wellness. Through her everyday work with helping young people uncover their divine purpose, performing spoken word events, facilitating workshops, and political advisory to legislators across the nation, she aims to aid in a revolutionary change in the areas of holistic health, economic injustices, child welfare disparities, cultural awareness and identity within low-wealth communities of color both on a micro and macro level. Born in Anaheim, CA her reach has spanned across the nation and in several countries. And for her, this is only the beginning of her movement to promote generational soulful liberation of self and community. Between her day-to-day adventures, Ángela enjoys traveling the world, exploring various passions such as dancing, singing, self-defense, and adrenaline rushes at amusement parks with her husband, Michael. She is lovingly called a “graceful powerhouse” by all who know her, as she authentically shares her journey with the world. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

Our guest on the Soulful Liberation podcast today is the inspiring Cedric Riley who is featured in the I Am Success Workbook- Youth companion guide to the Black Foster Youth Handbook. Our guest, Cedric Riley Cedric Riley: Resiliency Expert dedicated to community leadership and success for himself and others. He is the creator of “America's Next Motivator!” Tv show and the founder of Motivatefosterkids.com. Riley is a marathoner, scholar and family man whose motto is “Success is a Choice!” Determined to provide a source of motivation to the youth and a breath of fresh air to their leaders, Cedric believes that his work will uplift the community domestically and nationally. Learn more about Cedric Riley at www.soulfulliberation.com/resources Watch America's next motivator- https://www.facebook.com/AmericasNEXTMotivator/ Connect with him at www.motivatefosterkids.com & www.cedricriley.org ---- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Ángela Quijada-Banks is a Holistic health coach for purpose-led professional and entrepreneurial-spirited women who struggle with chronic burnout. She is an NAACP Image Award Nominated, American author of the best-selling book, The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal. She is the Founder of Soulful Liberation which started as a podcast to support young people with trauma navigate their healing journey during the pandemic and has expanded into a movement to liberate one's self and community! As a transformational speaker and artist, she has impacted thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Ángela is a scholar at Legacy Holistic Health Institute studying Holistic Health and wellness. Through her everyday work with helping young people uncover their divine purpose, performing spoken word events, facilitating workshops, and political advisory to legislators across the nation, she aims to aid in a revolutionary change in the areas of holistic health, economic injustices, child welfare disparities, cultural awareness and identity within low-wealth communities of color both on a micro and macro level. Born in Anaheim, CA her reach has spanned across the nation and in several countries. And for her, this is only the beginning of her movement to promote generational soulful liberation of self and community. Between her day-to-day adventures, Ángela enjoys traveling the world, exploring various passions such as dancing, singing, self-defense, and adrenaline rushes at amusement parks with her husband, Michael. She is lovingly called a “graceful powerhouse” by all who know her, as she authentically shares her journey with the world. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

Our guest on the Soulful Liberation podcast today is the inspiring Tamisha Macklin who is featured in the I Am Success Workbook- Youth companion guide to the Black Foster Youth Handbook. Our guest, Tamisha Macklin Tamisha Macklin: 6 years as Elevating Connections Program Manager, 3 yrs as Housing Navigator at Urban Peak, Writer, and Poet Learn more about Tamisha Macklin at www.soulfulliberation.com/resources ELEVATING CONNECTIONS's vision is: To be a community resource in reuniting siblings separated in foster care. That we reduce the number of youth who are left without permanent connections upon emancipation, thereby increasing the number of emancipating youth who are able to lead happy, productive lives. Connect with them at https://www.elevatingconnections.org/ ---- Order your copy of The Black Foster Youth Handbook here. About our hostess- Ángela Quijada-Banks is a Holistic health coach for purpose-led professional and entrepreneurial-spirited women who struggle with chronic burnout. She is an NAACP Image Award Nominated, American author of the best-selling book, The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal. She is the Founder of Soulful Liberation which started as a podcast to support young people with trauma navigate their healing journey during the pandemic and has expanded into a movement to liberate one's self and community! As a transformational speaker and artist, she has impacted thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Ángela is a scholar at Legacy Holistic Health Institute studying Holistic Health and wellness. Through her everyday work with helping young people uncover their divine purpose, performing spoken word events, facilitating workshops, and political advisory to legislators across the nation, she aims to aid in a revolutionary change in the areas of holistic health, economic injustices, child welfare disparities, cultural awareness and identity within low-wealth communities of color both on a micro and macro level. Born in Anaheim, CA her reach has spanned across the nation and in several countries. And for her, this is only the beginning of her movement to promote generational soulful liberation of self and community. Between her day-to-day adventures, Ángela enjoys traveling the world, exploring various passions such as dancing, singing, self-defense, and adrenaline rushes at amusement parks with her husband, Michael. She is lovingly called a “graceful powerhouse” by all who know her, as she authentically shares her journey with the world. The Soulful Liberation movement- is all about alchemizing your pain to purpose and power. To explore what freedom, joy, love and the human experience is without the shackles of our past trauma, and generational cultural norms that create harm. It's about being on a journey of holistically healing so that you can go back and support someone else's journey in healing and revolutionizing oppressive systems. Holistically heal. Be Free. Be You. www.soulfulliberation.com

In this episode, Ángela Quijada-Banks shares with listeners about 3 powerful take-aways from 2021. Mentions: Soulful Liberation : www.soulfulliberation.com The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal (on amazon) I Am Success Workbook - Youth Companion guide to the Black Foster Youth Handbook Learn more about Ángela at www.angelaquijadabanks.com

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: “Do not follow where a path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” -Ralph Emerson Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: “Success occurs when preparation meets opportunity.” -Zig Ziglar Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: “What does it mean to succeed? Is it easily labeled by the cliché of going to college followed by an excursion of unlimited educational milestones to a doctoral degree? Is it the white picket fence, lavish outings, and marriage with 2.5 children? Is that truly the goal? Well, for some, but for me, it's not exactly in that order. My life has been a sum of one of a lifetime experiences, travel, trauma, healing, intense love, and many many lessons. Some say I have reached success already, but for me there is always another rock to discover, another idea to be birthed, another feeling to be understood and another breath to be meditated upon. Life is a journey, not a destination, and there is never a true end with success, if you set your mind on it.” - Ángela Quijada-Banks Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: “Start getting into a mindset where you expect something unexpected to happen. Like a sudden shift. An out of the blue miracle. A possibility of an instant breakthrough. Let yourself loosen up about how things will happen. Trust more. Believe more. Be open to receiving.” -Idil Ahmed Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: "All success starts with one. One step. One client. One order. One sale. While dreams of greatness are great, we must remember to appreciate the joy of the start." -Muhammad Ali Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: "Stop counting your days and start making your days count." -Muhammad Ali Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: "For as long as I am Black...I am historic. I do not need a month...I exist for a lifetime." -Karl Burrow Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal I am your host, Ángela Quijada-Banks & so excited you've decided to join the journey toward Soulful Liberation! Today's Quote: “When you're in a dark place, you sometimes tend to think you've been buried. Perhaps you've been planted, bloom.” -Unknown Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal Today's Quote: “Be good to people for no reason. Not because they speak English well. Not because they look well put together. Not because they have a vast vocabulary. Not because you like the way they did their hair. Not because they have expensive shoes on. Not because they look like they have money. Not because they have something to offer you. Not because you may feel sorry for them... Not because you think you'll be blessed later. Just be a decent human being to others. Does that seem too hard?” -Ángela Quijada-Banks Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal Today's Quote: “You might be temporary in their lives or they might be temporary in yours. But there is nothing temporary about the love or the lesson.” -Tonia Christle Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation Twitter: @Soulful_lib

Welcome to our segment to expand on the quotes featured in The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully age-out of foster care and holistically heal Foster Care is a whole other world that most of the world's population knows little to nothing about. Many people do not know the very low statistics young people endure in order to successfully age-out of foster care. Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or susceptible to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo. Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigenous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care's navigation through foster care and healing beyond it. Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people's lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you. Learn more about The Black Foster Youth Handbook here: https://www.blackfostercareyouthhandbook.com/ Learn more about the mission of Soulful Liberation at www.soulfulliberation.com Instagram: @souful_liberation

Welcome to the journey toward Soulful Liberation :)! Kwanzaa's seventh principle is Imani. Imani means faith: "To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle." Listen as Ángela Quijada-Banks recounts how the start of 2020 did not determine her year and how you can completely change what's possible for you in 2021 and beyond! If you are someone looking to write a book or for a mastermind community, head over to www.soulfulliberation.com and apply ! See you next time !

Listen as Leyda and Ángela ( Angie ) chat about Navigating her culture and loss of a parent while graduating a semester early with her BSW

Listen as Laquita and Ángela ( Angie ) chat about Overcoming Podophobia in foster care, being a co-founder to a non-profit for foster youth and navigating self love

Laquita Howell's poem about a time when she was a high schooler in Fostercare, going through lots of struggles to find her own voice and self worth. Laquita Howell is the co-founder of Opportunities Knocking TLP : An organization for foster youth, providing enhanced opportunities and experiences to young adults so they can take accountability of their professional and personal lives and build a better community. Opportunities Knocking tlp can be found on Facebook under oktlp IG: @laquitahowell In our next episode we dive into How she overcame a very unusual fear and made it a powerhouse of confidence instead! //Connect with us on IG : @Soulful_Liberation Twitter : @Soulful_Lib //Lola's Instagram IG: @queen_sophisticated_ //Angi's Instagram : IG: @Originalsoulflower Visit www.originalsoulflower.com to learn more! July is here! The Black Foster Youth Handbook available for PRE-ORDER JULY 8,2020 on www.originalsoulflower.com

In this episode, Angi talks about -What Juneteenth is -Why's it's so important and -How we can celebrate it this year and the many years to come! Today is independence day for people of African Descent , those that have ancestors that were enslaved. Today marks a day where many years ago, a union general by the name of Gordon Granger gave an order that officially ended the enslavement of people with a certain shade of skin color. Connect with us on IG : @Soulful_Liberation Twitter : @Soulful_Lib Lola's Instagram IG: @queen_sophisticated_ Angi's Instagram : IG: originalsoulflower Read the Emancipation Proclamation here: http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/emancipate.htm Check out Angela Quijada-Banks's New book for BLACK FOSTER YOUTH on her website: Available for PreOrder July 8th,2020 www.originalsoulflower.com

Angela Quijada-Banks poem about foster care " Caged in Care" I wrote this poem while in Okinawa, Japan. It is featured in a collaborative book with other alumni of the foster care system, social workers and foster parents published by The EMPTY FRAMES INITIATIVE, a non profit organizations that supports foster youth. Connect with us on IG : @Soulful_Liberation Twitter : @Soulful_Lib Lola's Instagram IG: @queen_sophisticated_ Angi's Instagram : IG: theoriginal_soulflower May is #mentalhealthawareness & #fostercareawareness How are you bringing light to these issues this month? What is one way you have shown resilience in spite of mental health/ foster care challenges?

Own Your Emotions In this episode we taking time to take a deeper talk around "Emotion". How do we handle emotions like anger and what we We hope you enjoy it! Connect with us on IG : @Soulful_Liberation Twitter : @Soulful_Lib Lola's Instagram IG: @queen_sophisticated_ Angi's Instagram : IG: theoriginal_soulflower May is #mentalhealthawareness & #fostercareawareness How are you bringing light to these issues this month? What is one way you will focus your energy in motion?

There are many thoughts around how one should feel in comparison to others. Listen to Lola's perspective as she conveys her take on this, in her poem : Emotion. We hope you enjoy it! Connect with us on IG : @Soulful_Liberation Twitter : @Soulful_Lib Lola's Instagram IG: @queen_sophisticated_ Angi's Instagram : IG: @originalsoulflower May is #mentalhealthawareness & #fostercareawareness How are you bringing light to these issues this month?

Welcome to your space of community and freedom! Tune in here to start your journey to learn the intention behind the cohosts ; Ángela Quijada-Banks (Angi) & Loreal Bunn ( Lola)'s -motivation behind this podcast. -How this came to be and what to expect ! -Who this podcast is for -Where to connect with us Twitter @SoulfulLib Instagram: @soulful_liberation Angi's Instagram : @theoriginal.soulflower Lola's FB : Loreal Bunn