Versandra Kennebrew

Versandra Kennebrew

Since her own homeless experience, Versandra Kennebrew has spent more than a decade dedicating her life and lending her voice to ending poverty and homelessness. A massage therapist, speaker, author and soon-to-be yoga instructor, she has a passion for inspiring people who are experiencing major life transitions to never give up on themselves or their dreams.

She supports other formerly homeless speakers to strengthen their skills in the art of storytelling through the Gateway Center’s Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau. She also uses her voice to propel emerging leaders as a Toastmaster’s Area Director, and coaches entrepreneurs to seek balance in their lives while building their empires.

Kennebrew recently completed a year of national service in the Americorps VISTA program where she worked on projects to alleviate poverty. She also served on the board of directors for Detroit’s Coalition on Temporary Shelter’s Human Services Committee, and was elected as a Community Services Commissioner for the Detroit Department of Human Services.

Author of the memoir on overcoming homelessness, “Thank God for the Shelter,” Kennebrew has shared her story across the nation, including for the Institute for Children In Poverty, the National Conference on Ending Homelessness and Gateway Center.