Busta’s Person of the Week: Dr. Kendra Davis opens her heart and doors to Winston-Salem

By Busta Brown

Dr. Kendra Davis is no stranger to the Winston-Salem community or to those of us who are weekly readers of The Chronicle. But something happened that caused Dr. Davis to step up more than ever, and very quickly. She had planned on opening a transitional house for women on April 1, 2020, but things didn’t go as planed. A young lady came to Kendra with an urgent situation that prompted her to open her heart and doors sooner than later. “I told her to come with the little that she has, her clothes and a mattress. She said if she had to live in a hotel, she will. But me knowing the caliber of woman that she is and her mental state, living in a hotel wouldn’t have been the best thing for her.” 

So the Winston-Salem State graduate stepped into action. Dr. Davis’ vision was to have the house fully furnished and in excellent shape before allowing someone to move in. But she knew firsthand that time waits for no one. 

“When I was in high school, I experienced a time of being homeless. We were living in a house with no lights, no water, and no heat. And I didn’t have anywhere to go. I didn’t have any children, so as a teenager, DSS wasn’t my best option. I reached out to a friend at a grocery store where I worked, and her mother allowed me to rent out one of the rooms at her house. 

“During my last two years in high school, I rented a room at Maxine’s house, and for those two years, it was that safe place for me,” said Davis. 

Davis stepped out on faith, shared her dream and desire on Facebook, and then God showed up and showed out. Due to the urgency of her first client, Kendra opened the transitional house for women two months early. With the overwhelming support from her Facebook friends, the house was fully furnished within 25 days. There was plenty of food and other resources as well. Lydia’s House became a safe haven for her first two clients. Although the transitional house for women is located in Winston-Salem, one of the ladies came from Mecklenburg County. “It’s here to help people from all walks of life. These ladies need a second chance, and that’s what Lydia’s House provides. This is a place where they can come and I can help them move from one place in their lives, to the next. I share my life story with them, so they’ll know that failure doesn’t have to be an option. You can choose to do something different.”

Dr. Kendra Davis’ story should be a lifetime movie or a Netflix documentary. It’s a true testament of starting from the bottom and moving to the top. Davis is an internationally certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug counselor, licensed by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, the N.C. Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB), the N.C. Problem Gamblers Program, and the National Association of Forensic Counselors. The Winston-Salem State University graduate is more than qualified and capable to head a transitional house for women who are dealing with substance abuse. 

This phenomenal woman also witnessed the negative effects personally. “My parents were drug addicts. My father went to prison. So, I’m not only able to help my clients with addiction, but to break that cycle of crime and punishment, keep them from getting out of prison and then doing the same thing over again,” she said. 

Kendra’s love for people is very Christ-like. Like Jesus, whatever she does, it’s so that others will have life more abundantly. One of the most praiseworthy statements that she shared with me was “With all of the degrees I have, school didn’t teach what it’s like to live through life. So, my desire is for these ladies to have a place to live, no less than what I would want to live in.” I got chills after she said that. Too bad Dr. Kendra Davis’ name wasn’t on the ballot for presidential candidates. My choice wouldn’t have been so difficult. 

This strong and intellectual woman is always on the battlefield, fighting for justice and equality, even within the religious sector. “I have a doctorate in ministry and I’m always asked to come preach at several different churches locally. But even in 2020, there are some individuals that don’t believe that a woman has the capacity to lead a ministry. Some churches admitted that they’re not ready for a female pastor. That was very hurtful for me.”

Davis refused to wait on others for what she can do for herself. Over the past six years, she had already established a following on Facebook with her Hour of Power. “Every Saturday morning at 8 a.m., I’m there preaching to people who are sick of church. They became my congregation. My delivery was not traditional. Sometimes I’d sing R&B songs or hip-hop. I have a way of bridging the gap between the secular and sacred. I’m talking about gangbangers, hustlers, and drug addicts. I’ve had two people high out of their mind stop me to say they’re watching The Hour of Power. That’s what it’s all about.” 

Dr. Davis performed weddings, marriage counseling, and even funerals during her Saturday ministry. “Then the time came. The people said we want to see you. We want to be able to touch you. When are you going to start a church? I got together with a committee of people, and we established the Kairos Worship Center Church Without Walls. We do two services a month, on the first and fourth Sunday at 3:33 p.m. Then we depart and serve in the community. Our address is 4130 Oakridge Dr. in Winston-Salem.” 

Davis said she’s looking to reach the people the traditional church model doesn’t reach, “… the ones that clubbed all night, or the individuals that work 3rd shift and don’t want to get up to go to an early morning service. Every last Monday outside of the walls, we minister to the homeless. We sing, preach and then provide a meal. And we also do prison ministry as well. We bring them soap, toothbrushes, and other items they need, and give them a church service.” 

The senior pastor also has a counseling service. “When you find what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. I’m in my zone and enjoying life helping people.” 

My Person of the Week is Dr. Kendra Davis. To contact Dr. Davis, call 336-422-7729 or visit info@kendradavis.com.