Meet Alexandria Ware | CEO & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandria Ware and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandria, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I get asked a lot where I am from! For the longest time I would say Wichita, KS but as I’ve been healing and growing as an person! I am from everywhere in Kansas. As a child, I grew up in the Kansas Foster Care System and I lived all over the state. More recently I’ve been understanding that lately where I am truly from! As someone who grew up without parents and an understanding of her culture or family background. I have been healing and growing through understanding the community that I have built and how my background of foster care has shaped me.

I am a foster kid.
I grew up in 55 different placements.
From ages 3-to 18 I lived with families other than my mother.
Because of this, I am stronger than most, more resilient than most, extremely creative, and protective over what’s mine.
Because of this I am determined for the system to be restructured and changed. I am determined to use my personal story to impact the lives of others. I am determined to ensure that the young people know that they have the POWER to change the system!
Because of this, it’s easy for me to advocate for people who have been silenced (hence the work I do in advocacy). I was built to see and make a way out of no way.
Some hardships were put in place to lead you to greatness. Never forget that!

I am a foster kid.
I am a product of generational foster care!
I grew up in 55 foster and group homes.
I grew up in small and big towns in Kansas.
I grew up in many transracial homes.
I grew up not being part of my culture.
I grew up not learning the importance of my crown and taking care of my crown.
I grew up learning that if people didn’t know how to do my hair, they would cut it off.
I grew up searching and looking for people who looked like me when I was in rural communities.
It wasn’t until recently when my nephew called me a bald-headed blueberry that it reminded me of the experiences that I have experienced in the foster care system.
It was tough to be the only black girl in all-white schools when I was in elementary.
I remember the moments when my hair wasn’t done.
I remember my adopted mother learning how to do my hair.
I remember asking my Comcare worker to teach me how to make soul food.
I remember searching for my community and people who look like me.
Growing up with white people was tough and some of the experiences were exhausting.

I grew up in small and big towns in Kansas.
I grew up in many transracial homes.
One home was different and helped me become the woman I am.
My adopted parents took me in and became my family.
Now I won’t say that I liked them at first but it was something about their vibe, words and actions showed me they were very different than my other foster parents.
Even my grandparents! Specifically my papa! Thank you for taking foster parent classes!
Go at it with joy in your heart!
My favorite saying my papa always told me.
My papa was one of the first people I met when I moved into my adopted families house. He always treated me like his own grandchild.
Thank you for never treating me like I didn’t belong in the family! You taught me how to be in a family and what family means!
You taught me how to love unconditionally! Most of all you taught me to use my voice and stand up for what I believe in.
Thank you all for giving me a family!
Thank you for teaching me about love!
Most of all thank you for being that someone I could call when I would have a panic attacks.
Thank you for being that someone who loves me and reminds me that I am more than my story.
Thank you for showing up and being at my graduations!
Thank you for being someone who cares about the person and not just my story!
Thank you for being someone who knows it’s okay to be vulnerable and loved!
Thank you for always supporting my dreams, goals, ambitious and crazy adventures!

I grew up with my brother until 3rd grade.
I remember what it was like to not know where my siblings where at.
I remember not being explained why I couldn’t see my older sister anymore.
I remember the pain and nights I cried out for them cause I was scared and alone in strangers home.
I remember one day telling my foster parents that I had a dream my brother died but I couldn’t call him because we weren’t allowed contact. I couldn’t hear his voice to confirm nor verify that it was true.
I remember not having those protective factors of my siblings in my life.
I remember attending Bob Johnson’s where my sisters brother in law was there a day before me and sparked the quest to find her.
I remember hearing her voice for the first time and quizzing her because I couldn’t believe the system listened to me and found my sister.
I remember the first time getting to see my brother and sister again.
I remember being so angry that I had lost so much time with them.
I remember the joy my heart felt to know we were going to be allowed to build our relationship.
I remember that I needed my siblings in my life growing up in care.
Because of this, the day I reconnected with my siblings I became an aunt! I had 6 tiny humans that I had this undeniable love for.
Because of this, my siblings and I were granted the opportunity to become a family. My brother and I got to meet all of our family.
Because of this I’m grateful and blessed that I was able to be reunited with my siblings. Even if they annoy me at times. I’m blessed to have people who understood that I wasn’t going to work any program til they allowed me the chance to talk to my siblings.

My story is my why!
Because my momma was a black woman who experienced the child welfare system.
I saw how she was not provided the resources nor did anyone work alongside her to help keep my siblings and me in the home.
My story is my why!
I saw how my siblings and others didn’t receive the same amount of support I did.
My story is my why!
I do this work because I’m a BLACK Woman on a mission to recreate and reimagine the foster care system!!
My story is my why!
I do this work because it’s time to make the difference that we wanted others to make for us. It’s our time and the time is NOW!

What should our readers know about your business?
This organization was founded for my momma!

Alexandria grew up in the foster care system and learned first hand the good, the bad, and the ugly. She was fortunate enough to find mentors who helped her find purpose in life and overcome an array of challenges, and to whom she attributes her success in life. Now paying it forward, she went on to found Culture Creations, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to supporting black and brown young adults in the foster care system (and who have aged out) through a community-first model of healing and support.

Her goal is to unfailingly support and love these people and help them take control of their lives. Her organization opens doors to new opportunities, provides career services, and fosters a safe community where each member helps each other to reach their highest potential.

‍ Why This Matters
25% of foster youth will not receive a high school diploma
50% of foster youth will develop a substance addiction
20% of foster youth will become homeless once aging out of the system
50% of foster youth will be unemployed despite having a high school diploma or GED
Only 10% of foster youth will receive a college degree
70% of people who age out of the foster care system rely on government assistance
Most people who age out of the foster care system earn less than $7,500 per year (the poverty line for one person in the United States is $12,880)

I am blessed and beyond grateful to have a network of resiliency! I am blessed to have been given the chance to use my voice and story to highlight the issues that can occur in the foster care system. I hope to use my story to highlight the struggles that children who are both in and have aged out of the foster care system face.

I do this work because it’s my passion.
I do this work because I have a unique perspective to share.
I do this work because the foster care system has affected my whole family.
I do this work because I know what it was like to feel not valued and unheard.
I do this work because I know what it’s like to feel powerless.
I do this work because no young people should have to go through what the system makes them go through.
I do this work because I know that the system needs a fundamental shift in priorities to walk alongside the youth.
I do this work because I know what it’s like to not have your basic needs met and have to fight for those needs to be met.
I do this work because I’m a BLACK woman on a mission to recreate and reimagine the foster care system.
I do this work because it’s time to make the difference that we wanted others to make for us.
It’s our time and the time is NOW!

I have dedicated my life to helping make a difference for kids in the foster care system. I have made it my life’s mission to create an organization by foster care alumni for foster care youth, young adults, and other alumni.

Culture Creations, Inc. supports black and brown young adults in and from foster care (ages 16-21) by returning to indigenous modes of healing, community, and transformation — ensuring they leave foster care with the right foundation in place to live healthy and meaningful lives.

I created Culture Creations, Inc. because black and brown youth need to be able to heal, thrive and create community. Culture Creations equips future generations with community connections, tools, and resources to succeed.

BABY!! I’m JUST getting started!! Again, I am BLACK Woman on a mission to recreate and reimagine the foster care system!

Culture Creations, Inc. mission is to support Black and Brown young adults in and from foster care (ages 16-21) with returning to indigenous modes of healing, community and transformation, ensuring they leave foster care with the supports in place to live holistically healthy lives.

The work we are doing in Child Welfare is centered on holistic healing, recreating and reimagining the foster care system!
Culture Creations is recreating a culture that black and brown youth will thrive and heal in. By creating a foster care system that reflects culture, healing, rituals and community for youth. Our organization is moving from pain points to what the results look like! Culture Creations is reimagining how youth ages 16-21 and over are supported in healing after foster care. Bringing healing and transformation to black and brown youth and young adults in and from foster care.
Healing and transformation – bringing this to youth and young adults in and from foster care. For Black and Brown Youth (BIPOC)

Our organization is moving from pain points to what the results look like. We will work with the youth and not for them. Meaning we are here to be with them on their journey and walk beside them during their time of transformation. We will help provide them with resources and skills to help them with healing, rituals and community. We are creating a revolutionary child welfare system. Culture- Learn by doing and racial/equity/indigenous teachings – Infused in the culture of the organization – not teased out. CREATIONS- ties into healing, holistic health. Build resiliency around the youth – not expect youth to be resilient. Building Community!!!!!!!!

Culture Creations: equipping future generations with community connections, tools and resources to succeed and heal.

I’m really proud of our first grant we received from Annie E Casey Foundation within our first year! I’m excited about our pilot peer to peer circles that are focused on well-being!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spot in Wichita is The Keeper of the Plains! I love sitting and journaling there!

The best spot is Sports Burger on Hillside! Be sure to bring cash and get there before 3pm!

My favorite drinking spot is Jenny Dawn Winery Cellars LLC! Go support black owned business!

My favorite spot to hangout is Old Town and with my family!

I feel with Wichita it is somewhere that you can experience many things! Someone always knows where to go and try new spots!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mother, my mentor (Nikki), my Papa Whit and my nieces and nephews! Without these people pouring love into me and allowing me to know it’s okay to fail I would not be the woman I am today! I wouldn’t be where I am at without the resiliency wrap around me!

Website: https://www.culturecreationsinc.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturecreationsinc/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandriarware/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultureCreationsInc

Other: To keep up with all the things I do here is my personal linktree! https://linktr.ee/alexandriarware?fbclid=IwAR1zqiWmYk-M7aT_NWRkj8AoTHo1rwSf1fB9Mpo9Vib9TNsZAKvITPX-kZM Check out the podcast I helped Co-Found and Co-Host Diaries of a Black Girl FC https://linktr.ee/blackgirlsdiariesfc