Kiya Edwards

I am proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities as a Game Changer! Thank you, Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, for matching me with a Big Sister growing up, and trusting me to help guide a Little Sister today. I invite you to join me in changing the game for Twin Cities youth through mentoring. Your gift creates and supports mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Let's go!

• $250 donation = Meet & Greet Invitation 🤝 You will receive an invitation for a Meet & Greet event with Kiya before July 2025. The meet & greet will take place near Minneapolis, MN.
• $100 donation = Cameo-style video 📹 You will receive an email in after 11/1/24 with information on how to redeem your video. Videos will be delivered via email by December 15, 2024.
• $50 donation = signed photo 📷 Photos will be shipped by FanHQ in November.

Who (was/is) a Game Changer in your life?

Growing up, I was a Little Sister within Big Brothers Big Sisters for about 10 years, and my Big Sister, Elizabeth, was a game changing mentor. I grew up in a single-parent home. While there were many wonderful moments, I also experienced disappointment whenever plans with my other parent fell through. Elizabeth’s consistency in getting together with me showed me I was someone worth being around, which boosted my self-compassion.

What did you want to be when you were little?

In kindergarten, I told people I wanted to be a clown. LOL! Then from 1st grade through most of high school, I wanted to be an actress. Senior year of high school, I realized I wanted to become a journalist. By then, I’d studied in Germany for a year as an exchange student. I figured journalism would be a good way to combine my longtime passion, storytelling, with my newer interest, international awareness.

Why is mentoring important to you?

As a former Little, I just had to give back to the community that raised me by becoming a Big! Watching my Little, Courtney, grow from a girl to a teen has been heartwarming. Her maturity never ceases to impress me. She’s excited to get her first job so she can have her own money. She’s talked about one day becoming a police officer or an entrepreneur. At the same time, she’s said things like, “When I’m an adult, I’m going to order 2 large fries and just go home.” I don’t have my own kids, and my adult friends are often busy. I forget about that when I hang out with Courtney.

Question from a Little:

Little Brother Carter: “What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?”

Kiya: “Mint chocolate chip!”