Program & Entertainment

Keynote Speaker, Kelis Houston

Kelis Houston is the founder of Village Arms, a Christ-centered organization established to address the overrepresentation and inequitable treatment of African Americans across the child welfare service continuum. With over a decade of experience in social services, Kelis has been a tireless advocate and voice for marginalized communities. Her personal mission is to eliminate racial disparities in child welfare through legislative action, family advocacy, policy reform, and community engagement. Kelis developed and advocated for the African American Family Preservation Act in the state of Minnesota. This landmark legislation promotes the stability and security of families by establishing standards to prevent the unjust removal of African American children from their homes. In addition to leading Village Arms full time, Kelis serves as Chair of the NAACP Minneapolis Child Protection Committee. She is also a trusted cultural advisor and policy consultant, working alongside social service professionals and organizations to address systemic inequities in child welfare. Through her leadership, Kelis continues to drive transformative change, pushing for macro-level reforms that uphold the dignity, stability, and well-being of African American families.