We were lucky to catch up with Ebony Hemphill recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ebony, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I’ve always had a heart to help, I didn’t realize the full capacity of what that looked like until going head on with the Juvenile Justice(JJ) system with my family. When facing the JJ system with my son who was then 10, there were a few lessons I learned. I leaned the age of reason is 7 in Michigan, which means a youth as young as 7 can be introduced to the JJ system. I learned school incidents could be turned into JJ system issues as well. These lessons took a while for me process. When I processed the information, I decided I wanted to help other families going through the JJ system. I really feel like my purpose found me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I relocated in 1999, to pursue higher education. I had plans to leave Kalamazoo, Michigan, but before I could I met my husband. We have a beautiful family. I’m beyond grateful to have a beautiful family and to serve my community right here in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Family Support and Student Advocacy
Bent Not Broken offers guidance and peer support to families as they advocate for their students involved in school discipline hearings and court proceedings. One of the tenets of participatory defense are Family Justice Hubs, which connect impacted families with one another. These relationships provide much-needed support and guidance as well as serve as an organizing entity when system changes are needed.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Determination, Steadfast, and Resilience. You have to truly surround your self with like minded people. You don’t see growth with your current circle, you need a new one. Your circle should be pushing you into your next level.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
The biggest area of growth for me over the last 12 months was trusting myself. Trusting myself has been amazing for not only me as an Individual but for me as the Founder and Executive Director of Bent Not Broken as well. Leaning into trusting myself, I now have a team, who can support the daily operations and allow me the opportunity to focus on the future of the organization. Through this journey I also realized there are people have placed doubt on me, this made me doubt myself. Just keeping the record clear, I’m clear! I’m fulfilling my purpose. I’m beyond grateful for the village of peeps who have believed in me and pushed me.
Contact Info:
- Website: bentnotbroken.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070028775215&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Lena Shorter captured two of the photos and I captured one
