Roots in Englewood: A Foundation of Resilience
Dr. Cheryl Slaughter-Hurst is the Assistant Dean for Academic Development and Student Affairs, as well as a professor in the Department of Medicine at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
Dr. Slaughter-Hurst’s story begins in the Englewood community on Chicago’s South Side, a neighborhood that shaped her understanding of community, resilience, and the power of education. She graduated from Ralph J. Bunche when it was still an elementary school and continued her education at William R. Harper High School, which has since closed—institutions that represent important chapters in Chicago’s educational history and in her personal journey.
It was during her time at Harper High School that Dr. Slaughter-Hurst discovered a calling that would shape her entire approach to life and leadership. As a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), she learned foundational principles that would guide her throughout her career and personal life.
“I was a member of the ROTC where I first learned to be mission-driven, demand excellence of myself and others, and lead with integrity,” she reflects.
In her personal life, Dr. Slaughter-Hurst is the co-founder of the Fostering Futures Foundation (FFF), a nonprofit organization committed to helping foster children succeed. She is a proud mother of 8, two of whom she adopted from foster care. Her eldest daughter is currently pursuing her education at Rutgers University.
Writing has provided her eldest daughter with peace and healing, serving as a therapeutic outlet. She has even been published, which inspired them to establish a foundation for foster children nearing the age of emancipation, who often have no guidance on what to do next.
“I thought to myself, ‘Okay, I will do it.’ My mentors decided to offer scholarships. My daughter introduced the idea of therapeutic writing. And, when we shared our stories alongside three other foster families who became adoptive families, we realized we had an opportunity to raise money for the foundation. So, we went for it.”
When asked. How will FFF address the needs of Foster children? Dr. Slaughter-Hurst says the programs they will offer are service learning for high school and college students; scholarships, mentoring from professionals and college students, and therapeutic writing opportunities that could become published works.
. FFF’s funding will primarily support scholarships for children aging out of the foster care system. They also intend to use these resources to provide stipends for students who take on administrative roles within the foundation. These stipends will support students pursuing higher education, helping them develop their skills in areas where there is a significant need, like social work and child psychology. The funds will also aid interested participants in turning therapeutic writing into entrepreneurial endeavors.
However, FFF has partnered with Bowens Publishing House to produce and market future works for potential income to FFF participants.
Although FFF is based in Englewood, NJ, most of its board of trustees are from Chicago, specifically the Edgewater, Englewood, and South Shore communities.
“These individuals are dedicated to serving youth who have experienced foster care, and they truly deserve to be celebrated: Anthony Hurst, Gwendolyn Slaughter-Sharkey, Cynthia Hurst-Gamble, Gwen Jones-Robinson (soon to be Hurst), and Dr. Leonard Goldstein.”
“As many know, children in foster care in the United States are predominantly from marginalized communities, and overrepresented by people of African and Latin descent.” The city of Englewood, NJ, where FFF is housed, and the Englewood community on the south side of Chicago, are no exception to this rule.”
However, she believes their board would define success as individuals being published and sharing their stories in their own unique ways. “We see success as people thriving—transitioning from foster care to finding their path in life, like the celebrities we know. Many people are unaware that Seal, the singer, and comedians, Tiffany Haddish and Eddie Murphy were all foster children, even if only for a short time.”
In addition, FFF collaborates with organizations such as churches, nonprofits, and government agencies that support children and families in need. In the near future, they will create a resource library on their website to inform patrons about services available beyond what they provide.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Slaughter-Hurst has emerged as a powerful voice in the foster care and adoption communities through her deeply personal book, “Memoirs of an Adoptive Mother’s Meltdown: Motherhood, Mayhem, & Mental Health.” This compelling work represents more than just a memoir—it serves as a resource of truth, vulnerability, and hope for families navigating the complex landscape of foster care and adoption.
The book Memoirs of an Adoptive Mother’s Meltdown is deeply personal and combines the stories of four foster mothers.Their stories are told through the life of a fictional character, Sheila, who narrates their intertwined experiences as though they were her own. She shares the tragedies and triumphs of seven little girls who were at one time in foster care and were ultimately adopted by the four mothers Sheila’s character embodies.
Sheila is a doctor, like the woman she represents. This situation is typically unusual, as many foster parents are from low-income backgrounds and see it primarily as a source of additional income. However, these professional women embraced the opportunity to become mothers because they were childless.
“In the book, we recount our children’s journeys before they came to us, told through the perspectives of two fictionalized characters, Shayla and Nala. They represent a combination of the experiences of all seven daughters, including those who have gone on to become doctors. We wrote this book to share our story and to help each other heal. It allowed us to come together and find a sense of community.”
This decision enabled them to raise funds for the foundation, as 100% of the book’s proceeds go directly to FFF.
“This funding has allowed us to incorporate and become the people we are today.”
By integrating her book into her broader work, Dr. Slaughter-Hurst demonstrates the power of storytelling as a tool for change, education, and healing. She demonstrates that sharing our most vulnerable moments can foster connections, challenge existing systems, and ultimately transform lives. The book can be purchased online at www.doctorcheryl.org.
Looking forward, Dr. Slaughter-Hurst envisions a celebrity who has come out of foster care becoming the spokesperson for FFF, helping to raise its profile on a national scale. She sees FFF generating significant funds to support individuals pursuing their artistic passions—whether it be singing, writing, or acting.
“Our mission is rooted in the concept of paying it forward; as we develop more professionals, they can give back by helping others. Those who succeed can become board members and create a lasting legacy for families in need. For individuals who haven’t had a family, Fostering Futures Foundation will symbolize a place where they can find belonging, identity, and a path toward healing as our journey continues…”
