Former Foster Youth in Fashion Tells His Story to Encourage Others

We rarely hear about individuals in the entertainment and fashion industries — music, modeling, acting — who have a past in the foster care system. One side of that is that some people may not find it beneficial to share that part of their journey in life, and are more comfortable suppressing it. The other side is that, well, many don’t make it into those spaces because somewhere in their lives it has been embedded in them that it is an impossible goal to achieve. Contrary to popular belief, there are individuals who are willing to share their experiences as former foster youth who do in fact have successful careers in the entertainment industry.

Meet Keundre Hawkins, a 23-year-old man from Houston who spent time in foster care beginning at age 7. He is now living out his dreams as a fashion model and has been featured in ads for Academy Sports and Outdoors, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and J.C Penney. Hawkins graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Houston,  and is now working as a signed model with the Page Parkes Center of Modeling and Acting, which has represented many well-known faces such as Angelina Jolie, Channing Tatum and Hilary and Haylie Duff. 

Hawkins, though admitting to never fully opening up about his past before, understands the degree to which his story could impact and motivate so many with or without similar backgrounds to his own. Hawkins now wants to do more to advocate for foster youth in chasing their dreams in spite of their reality which may seem more set to hinder than to help them.

What were your aspirations growing up in the foster care system?

I never really had any aspirations growing up. I just knew that I didn’t want a life anything like the one I was living while in custody. 

How did you get started modeling? What/who motivated you?

I didn’t start modeling until my freshman year of college. I was 18 at the time. I was at my uncle’s house one day. We were just hanging around, taking pictures, and he was like, “I think you should model.” So I sent the photos out to a few agencies. I sought out four different agencies prior to deciding to sign with Page Parkes.

What was the determining factor in you making the choice to sign with Page Parkes?

Well, after doing some research, I was down to my final two options: Page Parkes and another agency. Of course, I had to spend some money to get my career started, and Page Parkes was the more expensive agency. But I was looking at it like, you get what you pay for. So I felt it would be more beneficial to my career to go their route.

As a former foster youth chasing your dreams and trying to get into the fashion world, what would you say you struggled with the most?

I feel like I doubt myself more than I should. I doubt myself when I consider the standards I’ve set for myself and my ability to meet them. Then, I reflect on how far I’ve come and what I’ve accomplished and use that as motivation to further propel me forward — to ground me, and to calm the discouraging thoughts I sometimes have. I often ask myself, “Am I doing enough?” And then I have to remind myself that it’s a journey. And I can’t be consumed by the need for instant gratification. I’m only 23 years old.

Would you say that these thoughts of doubt are connected to your upbringing?

I would say so, especially support-wise. A lot of things I’ve done, I’ve done on my own. 

Do you ever find yourself yearning for a stronger support system?

I definitely feel like I need more support. Support helps with your sense of motivation, so I feel like it would help me in that department. Though I think I’m pretty self-motivated, the extra support would definitely help me — just feeling even more motivated by those around me.

What are your long-term goals in the field of fashion modeling?

I really do like modeling, it gets me to open up a bit more. I’d like to go as far as this career path will take me. I can definitely see myself crossing over into acting. 

What services would you suggest foster care programs around the country implement to assist youth who have aspirations of entering the entertainment world, fashion specifically?

I guess you could just say: support them. Because support goes a long way no matter who it comes from. For those who didn’t really grow up on love or support, [I’d suggest] programs and activities specifically intended to motivate them and teach them how to see something they probably didn’t see in themselves.