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What does it really take to protect and preserve Black families in a system that was never designed with us in mind?

This episode is personal. It’s layered. And it’s needed.

We’re talking about what triggers Child Protection cases, how families can advocate for themselves within the system, and the very real harm that comes when biases and bureaucracy collide with Black parenting.

ChaQuana is a mother, a grandmother, a wife—and a former social worker who’s worked in our community for years. Her perspective is rare and so necessary. She’s lived on both sides of the system: as a parent who’s experienced a CPS case, and as a professional who’s had to carry out the decisions that change people’s lives.

In this episode, we get honest about what opens a case, how fast things can escalate, and what families need to know—both to prevent involvement and to survive it when it happens. We talk about the power social workers really hold, the fears families carry, and the weight of being a Black parent under a constant microscope.

This conversation isn’t just for families. It’s for the social workers, too. The ones in the field. The ones in the meetings. The ones who care—but might not always see the full picture.

🔑 What We Talked About

How poverty and bias open doors to CPS involvement

Why language, school attendance, and cultural misunderstandings matter

The difference between being “real” and being “wrong” in front of a caseworker

The hard truths about family placements and licensing

Why every Black parent should document everything—and what to do if your file is wrong

What both families and social workers need to unlearn

✨ Standout Quotes

“Eyes on Black families is the beginning of an open case.”

“Your raw emotions are not necessary in that space. Be real. Don’t be wrong.”

“Stop thinking you’ve got time to be angry. Get busy if you want your kids back.”

“Families are fighting for their children. Social workers are fighting for the child. And we end up fighting each other.”

“We don’t need capes. We need foster homes.”

⏱️ Chapter Markers

02:26 What really triggers a CPS case

05:19 ChaQuana’s personal story—when her own son opened a case

07:13 Who really has the power in these cases

09:48 Why family placement doesn’t always happen

13:09 DHS, licensing, and the truth about relative care

17:17 Three prevention tips for Black families

21:44 Emotional intelligence and documentation

26:37 Mistakes families make—and what to do instead

30:12 Final words for community, parents, and social workers

📓 Your Turn

If you’re a parent, a provider, or just someone who cares about our community—pause and ask yourself:

“Where in my life do I need to slow down and get serious about documentation, support, or systems that impact my family?”

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about protection. It’s about truth. And it’s about staying ready so we don’t have to get ready.

Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation Going

Website: ⁠www.divinekonversations.org⁠ 

Follow Divine Konnections on Instagram: ⁠@divine_konnections_inc⁠

💬 Love what you heard?

Share this episode with a friend, and leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify to help this show reach more hearts and homes.

✨ This is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. Thank you for being part of it.

What if the system was never built to protect us—but we rose up and did it anyway?

There’s a moment in this episode that stopped me in my tracks. We were talking about navigating systems that weren’t designed with us in mind—school systems, child protection services, medical systems—and someone said: “They just have a title. They’re broken people, too.” That stayed with me.

Because what do you do when the help you need comes from people who don’t understand your story?

You gather your sisters. You speak the truth. You don’t wait for permission. And that’s exactly what we did in this conversation—six Black women, all of us deeply connected to community, family, and the sacred work of healing.

The Women in the Room

This roundtable was a heart-led, no-holds-barred conversation with women I deeply respect:

ChaQuana McEntyre – A fierce mama of ten, former social worker, and truth-teller who speaks from lived experience.

Mikilia Carroll – Founder of Aid for Autism, advocate, and the kind of mother every kid deserves in their corner.

Porsche Gordin – A therapist and licensed alcohol & drug counselor who brings both clinical wisdom and lived empathy to the table.

Jebeh Edmunds – Educator, Liberian American, and founder of Jebeh Cultural Consulting. Her work reshapes how schools honor identity and culture.

Tatianna Kirk – My daughter and co-host, always grounding us in grace and purpose.

We didn’t hold back. We talked about what we’ve lived, what we’ve seen, and what we’re still fighting for.

🧭 What We Covered

The weight of raising Black children in a system not built for them

Autism advocacy, early signs, and why diagnosis isn't defeat

The thin line between discipline and shame—and why we need to stop hiding behind “that’s just how we were raised”

What really changes when parents apologize to their kids

Why reunification after foster care takes more than just paperwork

The unspoken grief of losing time with your children

And the bold truth: prayer matters—but so does therapy, parenting classes, and showing up

🗣️ Quotes Worth Sitting With

“Your master's degree is a piece of paper. Being a Black woman—that’s what makes me show up the way I do.”

“Give your kids the gift of believing in them.”

“Voluntary services? Not really voluntary. It’s an offer with strings attached. Know that.”

“Don't wait until the system checks you. Check yourself.”

“Stop relying on Black resiliency to carry your kids. They're not okay. They're tired, too.”

⏱ Chapter Markers

03:01 Who we are and why we do this work

14:34 Parenting lessons that changed how we show up

23:42 Early signs of autism and the power of a mother’s instinct

30:59 Cultural silence: why Black families delay diagnosis

37:15 Mental health vs. “bad behavior”—how to tell the difference

50:32 How shame and culture block us from getting help

54:00 What to do when the school system fails your child

1:04:00 Reunification and the real work it takes

1:09:24 Final encouragement: therapy, prayer, accountability

💬 This Week’s Reflection

Where in your parenting (or your healing) journey are you relying on silence instead of support?

What would it look like to ask for help, even if it feels uncomfortable?

You don’t have to do it alone. But you do have to start.

Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation Going

Website: ⁠www.divinekonversations.org⁠ 

Follow Divine Konnections on Instagram: ⁠@divine_konnections_inc⁠

💬 Love what you heard?

Share this episode with a friend, and leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify to help this show reach more hearts and homes.

✨ This is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. Thank you for being part of it.

What if the thing that broke you becomes the very thing you build with?

This podcast started from a promise—to my mother, to my daughter, and to every young mom still fighting to be seen.

I’m Deyona Kirk, founder of Divine Konnections and host of Divine Konversations. This episode is s story about pain, purpose, and why this work is so personal. I had my first child at 12. I’ve been through foster care, homelessness, and addiction. I know what it’s like to be counted out. And I also know what it’s like to come back stronger—and bring others with you.

This show was born out of everything we’ve lived and everything we’re still learning. You’ll hear from me, from my daughter Tatianna, and from our teammate Tatiana Bergum, as we open up about why Divine Konnections exists, how we got here, and where this podcast will take us.

These conversations are not easy—but they’re necessary.

🔑 Key Themes + Takeaways

The roots of Divine Konnections and how it grew from a personal calling to a community movement

The challenges of opening a culturally specific house for young BIPOC moms in Duluth

What we weren’t prepared for: the mental health crisis, the systems failing our families, and how COVID changed everything

Why this podcast is a tool—for families, for advocates, for systems that need change

A sneak peek at the powerhouse voices coming in future episodes

Our Favorite Quotes

“I had a baby at 12. I had that experience. But I was still able to make it out—and it became my responsibility to go back and help someone else.”

“We thought we were ready. We weren’t ready. What these moms are carrying? It’s layers and layers of trauma.”

“People ask why we serve BIPOC moms. Because those are the ones falling through the cracks. Because representation matters.”

“This podcast is for the families—but it’s also for the systems that say they care. Let’s have the real conversation.”

Chapter Markers

00:00 Welcome to Divine Konversations

00:56 Deyona shares her story—and her why

04:07 Meet Tatianna Kirk and Tatiana Burgum

08:00 From Texas to Duluth: How the house got started

10:20 The realities we weren’t prepared for

13:57 Why Black and disabled mothers are losing their children

16:48 What we’re doing—and who we’re bringing in

20:06 Stories from school, policy, and parenting

22:15 What to expect from this podcast

Your Turn

This week’s reflection:

Where in your life are you being called to turn pain into purpose?

Maybe it’s something you’ve survived, something you’ve witnessed, or something you’re just now finding the courage to speak out about. Journal on what it would look like to be part of someone else’s healing.

Stay Connected + Keep the Conversation Going

Website: www.divinekonversations.org 

Follow Divine Konnections on Instagram: @divine_konnections_inc

💬 Love what you heard?

Share this episode with a friend, and leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify to help this show reach more hearts and homes.

✨ This is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. Thank you for being part of it.

Episode 1 and 2 coming August 4th 2025!