Kenisha Edwards, Cert. ’26, recently became licensed to operate Cathy’s Embrace, a residential facility serving children with special needs, named in honor of her mother, Cathy Barton, who was a foster parent and passed away on Dec. 4, 2016.

“Her love for children helped shape the woman I am today, so this facility is more than a business. It is her legacy continuing through me,” Edwards said.

Edwards taught with the Los Angeles Unified School District for 13 years, owned and operated a family daycare in Compton for six years, and today owns a daycare in Las Vegas.

“My journey may not have followed a straight line,” Edwards said, “but apparently, I don’t do boring routes! Every classroom, daycare, field trip, child, challenge and degree has brought me closer to the same purpose: serving children with special needs and at-risk youth.

“I founded EXPOSED, my nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk youth by connecting them with mentors, educational resources and field trips that expose them to landmarks, opportunities and experiences beyond their communities. Sometimes a child just needs to see that there is a bigger world waiting for them.

“I’ve spent most of my life pouring into children, especially those who need someone to see their potential before they can see it for themselves. In June 2026, I got to celebrate a milestone of my own: graduating from UCLA with a certification in early education. And yes, I was proud walking across that stage! Education has always been my purpose, but UCLA reminded me that you’re never too experienced, too busy or too grown to keep learning.

“I’m still learning, still building, still serving and still believing that exposure plus education can change the trajectory of a child’s life. And at this stage of my life, I’m just getting started.”