Today we’d like to introduce you to Selina Ealey.
Hi Selina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been one of heartbreak, resilience, faith, and purpose.
I founded Ke’Niya Speaks Foundation after the loss of my firstborn daughter, Ke’Niya, who passed away at just four months old after spending her entire life in the NICU. Losing her changed my life forever, but it also gave me a mission: to ensure that no parent feels alone in their grief and that hope can still be found after unimaginable loss.
Life continued to bring challenges. My kidney transplant, which had given me 14 years of freedom from dialysis, eventually failed, and I had to begin dialysis treatments again. As a wheelchair user, I have also learned to navigate life with physical challenges while continuing to pursue my dreams. My husband and I were blessed with our son, Keng, who was also born extremely premature. Watching him overcome obstacle after obstacle has been another reminder that miracles still happen.
Through every setback, God continued to open new doors. I became a Realtor, an author, a speaker, and an advocate for families facing grief, disability, and life’s unexpected challenges. My nonprofit has grown beyond infant loss to include women’s empowerment, mental health awareness, community outreach, and support for premature babies and their families.
One of the projects closest to my heart is The Healing Tea Experience, an event that brings women together to share honest stories of healing, resilience, and hope. It was born from a vision God placed on my heart and has become a safe space where women realize they are not alone in their struggles.
Today, everything I do is rooted in service. Whether I’m helping a family find a home, hosting community events, speaking on a stage, or simply encouraging someone through a difficult season, my goal is the same: to remind people that our pain does not have to define us. Our stories can become someone else’s hope, and even after life’s hardest moments, healing and purpose are still possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs and nonprofit founders, I’ve faced financial challenges, self-doubt, and the difficulty of building something meaningful while balancing work, family, and personal responsibilities. But beyond the typical challenges of starting an organization, I’ve also had to navigate some deeply personal battles.
The loss of my daughter, Ke’Niya, was the most devastating experience of my life. Learning to live with that grief while trying to help others heal has been a journey in itself. Years later, my kidney transplant failed after 14 years, and I had to return to dialysis while continuing to work, raise my son, and lead my nonprofit. As a wheelchair user, I’ve also had to overcome barriers that many people never have to think about.
Building a nonprofit from the ground up has required persistence. Funding is an ongoing challenge, and there have been times when I’ve questioned whether I had enough resources to continue. I’ve learned that passion alone isn’t enough—you also need patience, consistency, and faith.
Despite every obstacle, I believe each challenge has strengthened me and given me greater compassion for the people I serve. Those experiences allow me to connect with others in a genuine way because I’m not speaking from theory—I’m speaking from lived experience. Every setback has become another reason to keep going and another reminder that purpose is often born through perseverance.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ke’Niya Speaks Foundation ?
Ke’Niya Speaks Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in honor of my daughter, Ke’Niya, whose life continues to inspire everything we do. While our mission began with supporting families affected by prematurity and infant loss, it has grown into a broader movement focused on healing, hope, empowerment, and community.
We provide support through community events, educational initiatives, and meaningful conversations that remind people they are not alone. One of our signature programs is **The Healing Tea Experience**, an intimate women’s empowerment event where women courageously share their stories of overcoming grief, divorce, illness, trauma, financial hardship, motherhood, and other life-changing experiences. The goal is to create a safe space where healing begins through connection, vulnerability, and encouragement.
We also recognize **Prematurity Awareness Month** each November by raising awareness, honoring the journeys of NICU families, and supporting parents who have experienced premature birth or infant loss. In addition, we host community outreach initiatives such as school supply drives and other programs designed to meet practical needs while strengthening families.
What sets Ke’Niya Speaks Foundation apart is that everything we do is rooted in lived experience. We don’t simply talk about overcoming adversity—we have walked through it ourselves. Every event, every initiative, and every conversation is built on authenticity, compassion, and the belief that our greatest pain can become our greatest purpose.
The brand is centered on creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. We want people to leave our events with more than information—we want them to leave with hope. If someone walks away believing they can take one more step forward because they heard someone else’s story, then we’ve accomplished our mission.
As we continue to grow, our vision is to expand our impact through larger community programs, partnerships, and advocacy while remaining true to the foundation’s purpose: transforming pain into purpose and reminding people that healing is possible.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
One thing that might surprise people is that although they often see me as strong, positive, and constantly serving others, I’m still on my own healing journey. I don’t have it all figured out, and I don’t pretend to. I still grieve the loss of my daughter, I still face the realities of living with kidney disease and dialysis, and I still have days that are difficult. The difference is that I’ve learned healing and purpose can exist at the same time.
People may also be surprised to know that many of the events and initiatives I create begin with prayer. Before there’s a flyer, a venue, or a plan, there’s usually a quiet moment where I’m asking God for direction. My faith is the foundation of everything I do.
Another thing people may not realize is that I’m naturally more of a behind-the-scenes person. Speaking at events and sharing my story wasn’t something that came easily to me. I stepped into those roles because I realized my story could help someone else. Every time I speak, host an event, or advocate for families, I’m reminded that our greatest impact often comes from the very experiences we once wanted to hide.
If there’s one thing I hope people remember about me, it’s that I’m not trying to build a platform for myself—I’m trying to build a legacy of hope. If my life encourages even one person to keep going, then every challenge I’ve faced has been worth it.
