The Global Achievers Issue 1/2021 | Page 56

To Live Without Roots: How 2 Foster Kids Redefined Their Normal

Justin & Alexis Black

To live without roots is to roam the earth without air in your lungs. The role models in Justin and Alexis’ lives stole the very life that they granted them at birth. Even before Alexis and Justin entered the foster care system, the normal they knew distorted their idea of love, relationship, and happiness.

Justin grew up with the weight of three generations of domestic violence and at least two generations of drug abuse in his family. His childhood circumstances consisted of abandoned