A native of Chicago’s southside, Dr. Foster began her post-secondary matriculation at Western Illinois University, earning a B.A. in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. She continued her educational pursuit by earning a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University and, recently, earned a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership from National Louis University.

Dr. Foster’s work experience directly parallels to her dissertation title, “An Examination of Community Members’ Reactions to Violent Viral Media and their Perceptions of its Impact on Black Communities.” She has dedicated 10 years to diligently working in the social justice/youth mental health field. Dr. Foster is currently the Director of Community Program for Ignite—an organization serving young people ages 14-26 who experience homelessness in the city of Chicago and surrounding areas, while overseeing the Drop-In resource center, outreach program and aftercare program.

Passionate about working with young people and helping them transition from trauma to triumph, she likewise currently sits on the Board of Directors for One Roof Chicago—a new and innovative program incorporating intergenerational supportive housing that focuses on workforce training for youth ages 18 and older and seniors identifying as LGBTQ.

A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, Dr. Foster has willingly dedicated her time to community outreach through community cleanups and giveaways; team trainings through her own agency; providing non-violent crisis intervention trainings and has even committed her time to speaking out against racism through anti-racist protests in her community. She is, too, the curator of the GRIT podcast (God. Resilience. Integrity. & Tenacity) which focuses on the lives and stories of Black men and women and their journeys of healing.

She is also the proud mother of 2 year-old, Sincere, who continues to motivate her work.