During Black History Month, we are highlighting different African American leaders within the field of child welfare. Kamilah Bunn is the CEO of the National Adoption Association. It is the only national organization focused exclusively on supporting the educational needs of those in the adoption profession. They serve adoption exchanges, private child-placing agencies, and public child welfare systems by engaging members in discussions to eliminate barriers to permanency for children.
Here’s what she says about what led her to where she is now:
“Service was a big part of my childhood. My mother provided respite care. My grandmother was known to take people in who needed a place to stay. My father, who was especially handy, would constantly help our neighbors in our community. As a family, we volunteered all the time. My early roots and experiences led me to child welfare. For me, service to others is natural so when I graduated I decided to try to help children and families who were involved with the system.”
Kamilah says that she is motivated by the ability to transition power back to those most negatively impacted by systems. She shared that she sees that transition happening in child welfare, and continues to want to be a part of the change.