Kelis Houston

Advocate and organizer | Policy strategist | Champion for Black family preservation

Kelis Houston is a relentless and compassionate force—a leader who shows up for families regardless of time or recognition. As a grassroots policy strategist, her mission is to transform the child welfare system by centering family preservation and racial equity. Grounded in her experience as the eldest of five in a close-knit family, she has spent the last decade organizing, advocating and legislating on behalf of families disproportionately harmed by punitive child protection practices. 

She is the founder of Village Arms, a Christ-centered organization supporting African American families impacted by child protection, offering direct services, advocating for systems change and spearheading policy reform. In 2024, landmark legislation that Kelis championed—the African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act—was signed into law in Minnesota, marking a national first in child welfare reform. 

Kelis is known to be a voice of clarity in the midst of difficult situations. She speaks hard truths while uplifting her community with love, faith and a belief in community accountability. With the Bush Fellowship, she will deepen her policy expertise, build a national coalition for child welfare reform and pursue mentorship and training that expand her capacity to advance systemic change.

What has informed your approach to leading change in your community?

My approach to leadership is shaped by deep faith, family values and a profound sense of responsibility to protect others. As the eldest child, I grew up stepping in to care for my siblings, which taught me early on that leadership is service. My leadership comes from love. It’s also informed by years of walking alongside families impacted by a system that too often punishes poverty and fractures communities. 

What have you learned from the people you lead and serve alongside?

I’ve learned that we are not voiceless—we have simply gone unheard. Families impacted by the system have shown me that healing and restoration must be central to any vision of justice. True leadership is rooted in community accountability and driven by the needs of those who are most vulnerable. Their resilience keeps me grounded in humility and reminds me to lead with integrity, no matter the resistance.