Episode description

EPISODE 487 - Kate Kennedy Author of Once Upon a School, building a school to serve children without housing

I am a mom, a wife, a sister, and a daughter. I am a visionary and a dreamer of big dreams. I am a writer and a theology nerd. I am passionate about empowering others to share their stories through the sharing of my own. My study and research interests include identifying the places where the church meets the world and gathering the beautiful tapestry of stories that live quietly in our community.

I began my professional career as a Writer/Producer for Turner Network Television before transitioning into a career in service and ministry. I earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wake Forest University and a Master of Religion and Public Life degree from Emory University. I am currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminar with a particular focus in Creative Writing and Public Theology.

In 2018, I founded and led a tuition-free private school for children experiencing homelessness in Atlanta. We began with 9 young scholars and now serve over 60 scholars. The journey to begin this change-making organization is a pivotal part of my story.

About the Book       

What do you do when you see something you can’t ignore? That’s what happened to Kate Kennedy one day as she drove down the Courtland Street corridor in Atlanta, Georgia. After that day, she could not look away. Once Upon a School shares the story of a stay-at-home mom of four who ignited a wave of community change by building a school to serve children without housing. One dollar and one day at a time, Kate pushed against all odds to build a program that cares for the most vulnerable children. In the process, she learned more about herself than she ever imagined . . . even when it all began to fall apart.

With humor and vulnerability, Kate shares the story of challenging the status quo and digging deep into her own story to find connection, hope, and new answers to old problems.

Once Upon a School is a story of racial inequity, generational poverty, and finding community in the most unlikely places. It’s about building a school, standing up for children, and finding your place in the world. As the story unfolds, Kate invites readers to challenge themselves and their own communities through the lenses of social impact, personal growth, and theology.

Once Upon a School is about daring to dream big and learning to bounce back. This journey reminds us, writes Kate, that “we all have the capacity to make lasting community change in our own unique ways if we can find the strength and courage to take the first step and keep on walking.”

https://www.katekennedywrites.com/
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