Workshop Information

Biographies For Today's Presenters

Kristy Allen is a dedicated advocate for children and families, driven by her passion for trauma-informed care. A devoted wife and mother of two daughters, Kristy launched her career as a high school science teacher in rural West Texas, where she inspired students to overcome challenges as a first-generation college graduate. Her family's journey through adoption ignited her dedication to foster care and family advocacy. Currently, as the Collaborative Family Engagement Lead for CASA for the Cross Timbers Area, Kristy works diligently to ensure that children in foster care maintain vital connections while assisting families in navigating complex support systems. Kristy is furthering her commitment to education by pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, enhancing her ability to address the mental health needs of her community. With certification as a TBRI Practitioner from the Karyn Purvis Institute, she is well-equipped to make a meaningful impact on families facing generational trauma. Her dedication to collaboration and community empowerment fuels her mission to create lasting change and support for those who need it most.

Slam Anderson is the Outreach Director for The Kitchen Table Literary Arts Center, a nonprofit organization that builds awareness, appreciation, and support for Women of Color and Black women writers. She is a Youth/Adult facilitator, Spoken word Artist and Writer. Slam uses her words to inspire positive change, self-love, and resilience. She is a founding member of, Unbelievably Resilient, a Non-profit organization composed of foster care alumni. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida (Tampa, FL) with a B.A in Creative Writing; and a native of Alachua/Gainesville, FL. Slam hopes to continue her education in the field of Social Work; and she is currently working on several poetry collections with plans to publish.

Aliscia Brorman journey through the foster care system forged her into a resilient force. Rising from the ashes, she was equipped with many skills crafted from overcoming adversity. From navigating trauma to mastering adaptability amid constant change, she discovered that every obstacle was a stepping stone toward her current success. Her perspective diverges from the conventional foster care narrative, and her story dismantles it entirely. Instead of viewing former foster children through a lens of despair, Aliscia strives to rewrite this story. She champions a paradigm shift, emphasizing the resilience and potential within foster youth and illuminating their capacity to rise above circumstances. As one of the 3% of foster youth who graduate from college, Aliscia leverages her Bachelor's in Communication Studies and lived experience to validate, uplift, and empower the forgotten youth and advocate on their behalf. She is currently pursuing her MBA at Texas Tech University, is a Realtor, a Real Estate Investor, a thriving small business owner, a lived experience expert, and most proudly, a mother to an energetic two-year-old. Aliscia's mission is to unite communities in support of foster children, encouraging them to see past the dark trauma of the child and into the bright diamond they can become. By sharing her transformative journey and highlighting the pivotal individuals who validated, uplifted, and empowered her, she aims to redefine preconceived limitations, nurturing a brighter future for all foster youth—a reality she created for herself with the help of many and now terms: A New V.U.E (Validate, Uplift, Empower)

Lindsey Clark is the Post Adoption Services case manager for DFPS Region 9. I received my Human Development and Family Studies bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in 2007 and started working for DFPS shortly after. I was an Adoption worker for several years before I left the Department. I obtained my M.Ed from Concordia University in 2015. I have been providing Post Adopt services to local families since 2015 as well. Through Post Adoption we are able to provide supportive services to families who have adopted from Texas  foster care. I am married to Sam and we have a 16 year old daughter Katelyn who keeps us on our toes as well as two crazy dogs named Bailey and Stella.

Ever grew up all over East Texas. He was adopted around the age of 4 and was adopted for nearly a decade before being placed back into foster care where he ultimately aged out of the system. Ever was the middle child out of five and was split up from his biological siblings at the age of 15. He is from Tyler, Texas and is currently a senior at Texas Tech. He works full time while also finishing undergrad with hopes of going into law or medical school. After experiencing an adoption and being placed back into foster care, and ultimately aging out, Ever can actually say he’s seen it all and lived to tell the tale. 

Gwen is 15yrs old and is a sophomore in High School. She enjoys sports and has plays basketball and volleyball for her school. She enjoys playing the clarinet, board games and she is very artistic. She has lots of dreams for her future which may include a Degree in Architecture or Engineering. Gwyn entered foster care at a very early age and was placed with members of her Paternal biological family who ultimately adopted her---don't forget about Dad's family! Gwyn is here today to share a very important piece of her foster and adoption puzzle with us—-her Lifebook.

Drew Melton earned his B.A. in Education at Graceland University specializing in mathematics. He has worked in the field of education as a paraprofessional, teacher, and director for over 15 years. Drew also spent 2 years working for BCFS as a case manager for the Preparation for Adult Living program and has experience assisting former foster youth with overcoming obstacles faced when aging out of the foster care system.

Sharon Mendoza- Hernandez with Ella/Techether has worked in the foster care sector for the past 17 years in various roles, including social worker, supervisor, recruiter, trainer, foster family agency administrator, and consultant. She recognizes the importance of technological advancements in foster care, particularly in safeguarding the life stories of children in care, facilitating connections with loved ones and caregivers, and implementing innovative solutions that will bring about a positive change. Over the last five years, she has collaborated with the Foster Love/Techether team to develop these technological solutions and has helped establish partnerships with other foster tech innovations, such as Connect Our Kids, and foster advocacy organizations like Big Country CASA. Additionally, as a mother, coach, and avid runner, Sharon is dedicated to leveraging her passions to create opportunities for youth to feel seen, heard, loved, and cared for, while ensuring they have access to the latest technological advancements available to them. 

Kay grew up living in impoverished homes with my family. Often, the homes we would live in would not have any electricity or heat and we could never afford food. My siblings and I were very neglected and very abused by our biological parents by the time I was taken into foster care. I was never placed in school until the age of 16. I had no prior schooling so I had to attend extra classes and tutoring before/after school to catch up on 16 years worth of school I had missed. I graduated high school by the age of 19 years old with a 3.5 GPA. I aged out of the system at the age of 21 and graduated with my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the age of 23. I am now a full time registered nurse and public speaker to spread awareness and raise money for foster youth. My public speaking has aided in the combined total of nearly 1 million dollars raised for foster youth. I am now in my second year masters degree for nursing education, a public speaker, and I work as a scholarship committee member for Foster Love.

Kestra  entered the foster care system at the age of 17 years old after spending my life in poverty, without education, electricity, heat, or food, and forced to work under the table jobs to assist in providing for my family. Once placed in foster care, I was belittled and told I would never amount to anything. After being told I would not graduate high school due to my age, suffering abuse by many foster families, and being provided no resources, I left the foster care system at 18 years old. 
Since leaving, I have completed college-level classes in automotive sciences and become proficient in automotive mechanics. I now work as a service advisor for Mack trucks and am one of their top service advisors. I work as a bar tender on the side. I live in Wisconsin with my dog Nova, and plan to go back to school next year to enhance my automotive engineering degree. 

Michael Klein an Ella Specialist/Techether is a passionate storyteller and dedicated advocate for foster youth, with over five years of experience in the field. His journey began with Foster Love, where he discovered the profound importance of preserving memories for those navigating the complexities of the foster care system. Michael joined the Ella Life Book team with the shared goal of saving the memories of every foster youth in America. Combining his storytelling expertise with an understanding of emerging applications and SaaS platforms, he is excited to provide easy to use and secure solutions to agencies all over. Michael’s commitment to amplifying the voices of foster youth continues to shape his work, ensuring that their stories are not only heard but remembered.

Brandon J. Logan, J.D., Ph.D., is the Executive Director of One Accord for Kids. Brandon has served as the executive director of 2INgage, the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) for foster care in Region 2, which includes Abilene and Wichita Falls, and as the Director of the Center for Families & Children at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Brandon began his career in child welfare as an attorney, representing hundreds of children as attorney and guardian in child welfare courts throughout Texas as a Child Welfare Law Specialist. Brandon earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University. He holds a law degree and doctorate in human development and family studies from Texas Tech University, where he also taught courses in child welfare policy and family dynamics. His academic work includes child maltreatment, abuse trauma and treatment, and family and father engagement.

Drew Melton earned his B.A. in Education at Graceland University specializing in mathematics. He has worked in the field of education as a paraprofessional, teacher, and director for over 15 years. Drew also spent 2 years working for Baptist Child Family Services (BCFS) as a case manager for the Preparation for Adult Living program and has experience assisting former foster youth with overcoming obstacles faced when aging out of the foster care system.

Minister Marquese Dukes-Samuels, is a philanthropist, preacher, singer, and musician with an ever evolving vision for making a difference. From an early age, Marquese demonstrated a deep passion for music. He taught himself to play several instruments and began developing his vocal talent. Even as a toddler, he would sing and preach to his toys. His first public performance came at age five when he sang “Here & Now” by Luther Vandross at his Kindergarten teacher Kim Barowski’s wedding. Marquese also gained early recognition by starring in The Legend of Najee Harris Bleacher Report commercial and appearing in the Khalief Browder documentary. At 15, Marquese embraced his calling to the preaching ministry after his pastor recognized God’s hand on his life. He was licensed to preach on December 2, 2018, at St. John Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. J.D. Williams. Since then, through God’s grace, he has traveled extensively, preaching, singing, and actively serving his community. In 2019, Marquese founded Love Over Loathe, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to supporting the well-being and needs of youth in Eastern New Jersey. He has been featured on Fox News, NJ.com, Canvas Rebel, among other notable platforms for his contributions. Marquese aspires to expand his activism by launching a nationwide organization to assist homeless and foster youth in overcoming challenges and rising above the system, as he has. A 2022 graduate of the Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts, Marquese now attends Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, with a Major in Religion. He serves as a Chapel Assistant under Reverend Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. He plans to further his education by pursuing a master’s degree in divinity and a Ph.D. Guided by his faith, Marquese holds steadfast to Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” While others may see the sky as the limit, Marquese believes it is merely the beginning of where he intends to go, reaching for heights only God can envision.

Trevor is 24 years old and he moved to Wisconsin from Oklahoma his sophomore year in high school. After graduating  Trevor attended one year of college but did not complete his post high school education. Trevor is currently working as a youth development specialist at a treatment program for kids who are struggling with things such as delinquency and mental health. This job is very rewarding and he loves working with the kids and seeing them grow. Before this, Trevor worked corrections in both jail and prison settings for about two years. As for family he is married and has a four month old boy. Trevor enjoys traveling, being outside and enjoying nature, and he would say photography but he is not out there taking award winning photos.

Mark Yarbrough was elected as the Lamb County & District Attorney, and served for 20 years, prosecuting everything from death penalty cases to DWIs. During his tenure, in 2002, he was awarded the M.A.D.D. regional prosecutor of the year. He served on the board of directors for the Texas District & County Attorney’s Association, and is a member of the National District Attorney’s Association. He also is one of the founding fellows of the Texas Prosecutor’s Society. Mark is listed by the Lawyers of Distinction as one of the top 10% of lawyers in the United States, and by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys as one of the “10 Best Attorneys” for Texas. Mark graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1984. Following that, he worked as a loan officer for Dallas Federal Savings. In 1987, Mark went back to law school at Texas Tech School of Law where he graduated in1989. At the end of 2012, Mark retired as District Attorney and travels the country giving motivational speeches regarding Burnout. He has also written and been published on the subject of Burnout. Mark’s interests include – golf, basketball, karaoke, and tropical vacations.