CLICK TO DONATE TO SISTA'S FAMILIES OF COLOR DCFS PROTECTION FUND.

On May 21st 2021, Maurquon (11) & Marques (7) Carter were wrongfully removed from the custody of their long-time guardian and caregiver, Dr. Cynthia 'Sista Soulja' Mendenhall, and taken from the supportive community she built for them at the Imperial Courts Housing Projects in Watts, CA.

After taking custody of Maurquon & Marques in February 2019, Sista put her career on pause and committed herself to raising both boys as if they were her own. From the beginning, Sista's goal has been to move herself & her foster family out of the projects. But, over the past 2+ years, every request Sista submitted for relocation assistance has been denied by Lori Speights and DCFS.

With her job on hold and DCFS refusing aid, Sista was left without any affordable options for relocating Maurquon & Marques. So, she took action, made connections, and brought the resources/services to them.

Spending their days in the Watts Empowerment Center, Maurquon & Marques had access to Virtual Learning Support, Tutoring, Virtual Mentorship & Programs, Basketball Practice, Music Production Mentorship, Boys Club, and more.

Further, after being introduced to Social Justice League (SJL) in December 2020, Sista, Maurquon & Marques quickly became spotlights within our SJL organization and across our national network. As active participants in pilot mentorship programs, community service, and youth development initiatives, the boys have not only benefited from working with SJL, they’ve also been critical in helping SJL grow and improve the impact our programs create for underserved youth across the country.

On May 21st, Spectrum SoCal News arrived in Watts to interview Sista, Maurquon & Marques for a feature story on their show 'Beyond the Sport'. Throughout the morning, Spectrum's crew captured the powerful & inspiring story of how Sista united their family with SJL and Los Angeles Clippers player Terance Mann, using community services as an outlet for bringing structure, accountability, mentorship, and support to her two boys (watch SJL Highlights)

As they shared their mutual appreciation for each other on camera, their interviews were interrupted by social workers who represent a system that has actively, aggressively, and illegally targeted Sista in attempts to remove the boys from her custody.

Arriving unexpectedly and unannounced, DCFS forced Maurquon, Marques, and Sista to walk from their interview to their home, to pack the boys belongings into trash bags, and to say their goodbyes.

Why? Because Sista was unable to afford relocation from her home in the Imperial Courts Projects, which Social Worker Lori Speights deemed to be a danger to the children.

• Even though her address was the same when they gave her custody.
• Even though they denied every relocation request she submitted over 2 years.
• Even though, because she couldn't afford to leave, she brought organizations, influencers, services, and her community together in the projects, all with the shared mission of uplifting her two boys.

Cynthia 'Sista Soulja' Mendenhall is a seasonal foster mother, with a honorary Doctor of Humanity degree, who's dedicated the last 30 years of her life to Watts community service, youth development, and direct support of Black & Brown families in-need.

As a caregiver to Maurquon & Marques, Sista had done everything she could to uplift both boys, despite a complete lack of support and wrongful behavior from DCFS, their assigned social worker Lori Speights, and supervisor Robert Guzman II. And, as a result of injustices done to her by DCFS, Sista's Foster License has been wrongfully revoked, meaning she's no longer eligible to foster ANY children. 

Damage has been done, but our fight is just beginning. Please join Social Justice League in demanding justice from DCFS and demanding justice for Sista Soulja, an incredible caregiver and foster mother. By revoking Sista's Foster License, DCFS has not only denied her from doing what she does best, they've also denied at-risk youth from the opportunity to better their lives under her care. Please sign, share, and support our fight to make things right.

CLICK TO DONATE TO SISTA'S FAMILIES OF COLOR DCFS PROTECTION FUND.