BBI Stories: Meet Sad’e

Workforce Development

On a scale of 1 to 10, I am a 9.5 since joining BBI,” says Sad’e. “My boys have grown up here and I now have a 2-bedroom apartment in NW DC, and I love teaching.

The only reason I’m not a 10 is because I’m still saving to buy a car.” Life wasn’t always a 9.5 for Sad’e. Four years ago, she was a single mom, struggling to raise her child and hold a job. She was living in an unsafe neighborhood and didn’t have the resources to pay for childcare. It was a robbery at gunpoint that finally prompted her to make drastic changes. Sad’e’s stepmom recommended BBI as an opportunity for her to access quality childcare and focus on her education and well-being. She immediately signed up and entered BBI’s Workforce Development Parent Internship program. Through this program, she completed her Child Development Associate (CDA) license and is getting ready to sit for the final exam. As Sad’e was working towards her CDA, Workforce Development staff worked with Sad’e on mapping her career and life goals, making sure she received the resources needed. Through this process, she also realized her entrepreneurial spirit. Sad’e started her own candle business, which she sees as therapy for managing the trauma she experienced during her home robbery.

Now a full-time substitute teacher at BBI, Sad’e wants to foster her love for children by becoming a Lead Teacher while she continues to grow her candle business. Her 5-year-old son graduated from BBI last June and her 2-year-old son is currently enrolled at BBI and thriving. Life is pretty good these days for Sad’e. All she needs is the car to make it just about perfect.