"I remember graduating from Pre-K, and when it was my turn, the room was silent. No claps. No cheers. I didn’t have any family there. That silence stayed with me — and it’s one of the reasons I created Somebody Else’s Kids LLC. So no child ever has to feel like nobody’s somebody." 💛🍋

Who I Am 💛

Dei Cole, Founder of Somebody Else’s Kids LLC

I didn’t start this work from a place of theory — I started from experience.

I grew up in kinship care. I remember only having one pair of shoes — worn thin, but still expected to keep up. I slept on a mattress on the floor while the other kids had beds. No privacy, no space, and no one to explain why I was treated differently. But even then, I knew I wasn’t the only one. I just didn’t have the words yet.

In Pre-K, I walked across the stage for graduation, hoping to feel special for just a moment. But when it was my turn, the room was silent. No claps. No cheers. My family didn’t come. That moment shaped me — not in defeat, but in determination.

Despite every obstacle, I became one of only seven in my family to graduate college. I went even further and earned my master’s degree. But even with all those accomplishments, I’ve still found myself losing in the career world — not because I wasn’t qualified, but because I lacked the support systems that help others get ahead.

That’s why I built Somebody Else’s Kids — to give that support I never had.

Because here’s the truth:
Early support makes all the difference.
The way a child is treated in their early years shapes their confidence, their voice, their future. And too many kids like me grow up learning how to survive — not how to thrive.

At Somebody Else’s Kids, we create space for healing, learning, and growth — not just for children, but for caregivers, foster parents, guardians, and kin. I offer services, training, and real conversations to help you:

Cope with difficult placements

Understand how trauma shows up in behavior

Feel supported as a parent, even when the system doesn’t make it easy

Learn ways to advocate for the children in your care

And most of all — feel like you’re not doing this alone

I’ve lived the story. I’ve studied the system. I’ve built a life of service rooted in willpower, resilience, and unshakeable love for children who deserve better.

If you're here, it's not by accident. Whether you're a parent, a kinship provider, or someone navigating this space without a map — I'm here for you. 💛

Let’s make sure no child ever has to feel like nobody’s somebody again.