On May 19, 2016, Junior League of Cedar Rapids hosted Fostering Strength, Iowa’s largest foster care advocacy event, with special keynote speaker Travis Lloyd. Travis Lloyd is a mental health professional, speaker, hiphop artist, foster care expert, and mentor. He is also the author of Overcoming Emotional Trauma. You can learn more about Mr. Lloyd on his website.

Learn about past Fostering Strength events here:

2013: Vanessa Diffenbaugh, author of Language of Flowers and founder of Camellia Network

2014: Leigh Anne Tuohy, the mom featured in The Blind Side movie

2015: Dr. Jennifer Arnold from TLC’s docu-drama The Little Couple

2017: Gigi Edwards Bryant, Texas Foster Care Alum and Speaker

2018: Charell Star, Foster Care Alum, Journalist and Media Personality

2019: Steve Pemberton, author of A Chance in the World