Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Campbell-Frazier.
Hi Katrina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve lived many lives in one. I’m originally from Washington, DC, the oldest of four girls raised by a single mother who instilled in us the importance of self-respect, kindness, faith, and excellence. Church, discipline, and doing well in school were foundational, and from an early age I felt drawn to advocacy, justice, and self-love.
After high school, I planned to join the Army to study law, but learning I was pregnant with my son changed the course of my life. I became a mother at 19 and spent the next 16 years working in the interior decorating and natural stone industry, later expanding into wardrobe styling.
At 24, I suffered a cerebral stroke while on a cruise—an experience that reshaped my outlook on life. My faith and the fear of leaving my son behind became my strength. While working at a high-end department store, I began noticing how shoppers of color were often ignored or scrutinized. That moment of awareness led me to leave and create my own wardrobe styling company, SLA—Self Love Always—rooted in the belief that confidence begins within and radiates outward.
In 2020, I got married, and my life entered a new season of growth and expansion. I became a licensed realtor, co-founded a nonprofit with my wife, and together we launched an events and entertainment company focused on community and connection. I also worked as a behavioral technician, supporting children and adults with autism—deepening my understanding of emotional regulation, compassion, and human resilience.
During the COVID pandemic, after moving back from Atlanta, I became a certified life coach. I felt called to be a catalyst—to help people heal, set healthy boundaries, and reconnect with their sense of worth and purpose.
In 2025, my world shattered when I lost my only child. That loss changed everything. Grief reshaped my identity, my mission, and my voice. From that pain, purpose was born. I became an author, writing Boundaries, Balance & Becoming as well as S.T.A.Y—a reflection of the inner work required to survive, heal, and transform—and founded Grief Relief, a support space dedicated to helping others navigate loss. Today, I advocate openly for mental health awareness, grief support, and honest conversations around healing.
Every chapter of my life has led me here—using my voice, my lived experience, and my work to remind others that even after unimaginable loss, becoming is still possible.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. My journey has been marked by constant pivots, reinvention, and survival. Becoming a mother at 19 meant learning adulthood in real time while carrying responsibility much earlier than planned. I faced moments of fear, financial pressure, and the weight of always needing to be strong for someone else.
Surviving a cerebral stroke in my twenties forced me to confront my mortality and redefine what strength really meant. Professionally, choosing to leave stable careers to build my own businesses came with uncertainty, self-doubt, and the challenge of being underestimated—especially as a woman of color advocating for equity and self-worth.
The greatest struggle came in 2025, when I lost my only child. That loss fractured everything I thought I knew about life, faith, and identity. Grief was not linear, gentle, or quiet—it was consuming. I had to learn how to live again while carrying unimaginable pain.
What sustained me through every struggle was faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to healing—both my own and others’. Each obstacle refined my purpose. The road has been hard, but it has also been transformative, shaping the work I do today and the voice I now use to advocate, write, and lead.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work centers on healing, advocacy, and transformation. I am a certified life coach, nonprofit founder, author, and grief advocate, and everything I do is rooted in helping people navigate life’s most difficult transitions with honesty, compassion, and purpose.
I am the founder of the KCF nonprofit, which focuses on community impact, mental health awareness, and creating safe spaces for conversation, education, and support. Through this work, I also founded Grief Relief, a support group created for individuals and families navigating loss. Grief Relief is not about “moving on,” but about learning how to live again while honoring pain, love, and memory.
As an author, my work reflects the same mission. My book Boundaries, Balance & Becoming & S.T.A.Y were born from lived experiences—loss, survival, self-discovery, and healing. I write for people who are learning how to rebuild themselves after life has disrupted everything they once knew. My writing encourages honest self-reflection, healthy boundaries, emotional regulation, and intentional becoming.
What ties all of this together is my work as a certified life coach. I don’t coach from theory—I coach from experience. I specialize in helping individuals navigate grief, identity shifts, emotional overwhelm, and life after trauma. I am known for creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces where people can be real, vulnerable, and seen without pressure to perform healing.
What I am most proud of is my ability to turn pain into purpose. I didn’t just survive my experiences—I allowed them to shape meaningful work that serves others. What sets me apart is that my work is deeply personal, grounded in lived truth, and led with empathy. I don’t offer quick fixes; I offer real tools, honest conversations, and support that meets people exactly where they are.
At the core of everything I do is one belief: healing is possible, even after unimaginable loss—and becoming never stops.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
While I live in Maryland, Baltimore holds a special place for me. What I love most about the city is its soul—the art, the food, the culture, and the creativity. Baltimore has a raw, expressive energy that shows up in its murals, music, small businesses, and the way people tell their stories. There’s a deep sense of resilience here, and that creativity feels authentic, not manufactured.
What I like least is that the city’s challenges often overshadow its brilliance. There is so much talent, heart, and potential, yet systemic barriers and lack of equitable resources can limit opportunities for many communities. I would love to see more consistent investment in mental health support, the arts, and community-based programs that allow the city to fully thrive.
Despite its struggles, Baltimore is powerful—and when its people are supported, the city shines.
Contact Info:
- Website: kcfnonprofit.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/kcf_nonprofit
- Facebook: facebook.com/katrinacampbellfrazier
