Kissena Frazier was born in Atlantic City, NJ, but has been living in WNY for much of her life with Buffalo having been home for the last 12 years. Always being active in her community and a helper of others, it was only fitting that Kissena decided to pursue a Masters in Social Work.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
-Muhammad Ali
Leading with emotional intelligence, service, and empathy, Kissena is a strong community and social services professional with over 15 years of experience as a social worker in numerous capacities. Her knowledge of child welfare and ability to render services spans from birth to adulthood. With a demonstrated history in assisting children and their families in areas of mental health, advocacy, and goal setting with the end goal being self-sufficiency, Kissena has made it her life’s work to help others.
Kissena currently serves as the Project Director for D’Youville University Upward Bound, a national year-round pre-collegiate program that provides equitable support for first generation high school students who are of a historically underserved and underrepresented population. She’s the Interim Internship and Career Pathways Program Supervisor at Say Yes Buffalo where she supports Say Yes scholars (college students) by linking them to paid internships, providing resume and interview coaching, as well as professional development. For the last eight (8) years Kissena has held many positions at Homespace Corporation, and she’s currently a Youth Support Specialist where she helps foster care youth 14-21 forge a better life for themselves and their children.
“Education is the passport for the future, for tomorrow, belongs to those who prepare for it today.” -Malcolm X.
Understanding that education is the surest pathway out of poverty, in 2022 Kissena founded AKcess Granted, LLC where the mission is breaking barriers to college access and accessibility for students who are in underserved communities and of marginalized populations. College access for this population is biased, inequitable, and not in their favor even though they have the most need. Kissena believes that a student’s zip code, race, or parental education should not predict their college success outcomes and future successes. As the founder and CEO, Kissena provides quality and engaging college access events, workshops, and one-on-one support and services for students that will unlock their full potential with education as the key.
It’s a beautiful thing when career and passion come together….
Kissena has coined herself as the ‘College AKcess Champion’ and will continue to work for equitable college access for all with full time entrepreneurship in her future plans. She’s a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a mother of two amazing daughters, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her partner in love, friendship and faith.
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