AS PRESIDENT & CEO OF VOICES FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, KADIE BLACK SPENDS HER DAYS HELPING CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF MORE THAN 1,600 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE.
BY ERIN MICHELLE NEWBERG
Equal parts humanitarian and irrepressible optimist, she leads with uncommon energy, a pair of roller skates never far away, and the rare ability to find possibility in even the most difficult work.
I am inspired by… Joy. Not because life is all sunshine and butterflies, but because joy is a choice. It is how I lead, overcome adversity, and encourage others to believe that what is possible is always greater than what stands before them. Joy isn’t the reward at the end of the journey—it’s the fuel that gets us there. It gives us resilience when life feels uncertain, courage when the path is unclear, and hope when circumstances suggest otherwise.
The leaders who leave a lasting mark… embrace change with optimism, grace, and unwavering purpose. One of my favorite reminders is that flexible people don’t get bent out of shape. The greatest leaders know how to adapt without losing sight of their mission.
My life’s work is centered on… Changing the trajectory of children in foster care. I believe one caring adult, one opportunity, or one moment of hope can alter the course of a child’s future forever. Every child deserves more than survival. They deserve joy, possibility, and people who see their potential instead of their circumstances.
My most unconventional leadership tools? Bubbles and roller skates. People laugh when they see me carrying either, but they remind us to pause, smile and reconnect with wonder. Roller skating teaches balance, resilience and the courage to keep moving, even when life gets wobbly. Joy is contagious. If I can help someone laugh, dream bigger or believe in themselves again, then I’ve done something meaningful.
My message to children in foster care… Let purpose, faith and joy be your compass. Those three things have guided every chapter of my own life and continue to remind me that even the smallest intentional actions can create extraordinary change.
My ethos… I hope people never remember me simply for my title or accomplishments. I hope they remember how they felt after spending time with me—that they left believing a little more in themselves, feeling a little lighter and seeing more possibilities than before. We become reflections of what we put into the world and of the people we choose to surround ourselves with. That’s why I choose gratitude, hope, and joy every day. Joy isn’t soft. It’s transformative. It’s contagious. And when we lead with joy, we don’t simply change organizations or communities—we change lives. voicesmiami.org
