
Cosona Kendrick was born in Alabama, but raised in Cleveland, OH. The mother of four moved to Atlanta in 2007 to see her daughter graduate from high school. Prior to participating in the Nia Project, she established a successful career as a housekeeping supervisor of four-star hotels (e.g., DoubleTree, Sheraton, Comfort Inn, Fairfield Suites). She also received her CNA license and was able to receive housing. After 40 years of smoking cigarettes, she stopped smoking and has been cigarette free for one-and-a-half years. Through Nia she has had the opportunity to reconnect with her passion for art, which has been a source of healing and self-expression. Her art/paintings have been featured in the Nia Project’s publication, The Purpose of Life is a Life of Purpose. According to Cosona, one of the most rewarding aspects of her journey has been finding her purpose and living it knowing where there is fear there cannot be purpose and where there is purpose there is no fear. She has been working on starting her foundation "Co'sona Vases of Kindness," which seeks to spread joy and compassion through art. She is deeply grateful for the support and guidance received through Nia Project and is proud to be a part of the community and looks forward to continuing her growth and service.