In 2005, Keida relocated to Indiana with a single goal in mind: buying a home. Just two years later, she achieved that dream, closing on her first home with us in 2007. Over the years, her family grew as she married and had more children. Her husband decided to change career fields and return to school. Motivating her husband throughout his education sparked something within Keida. She realized it was time to pursue her next goal of finishing college.
“You can go back at any time, and it was my time,” she says.
Today, Keida juggles numerous responsibilities. She works full-time in internal auditing at Optum, part-time as an associate at Walgreens, and is enrolled online at Capella University, pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business accounting. With just six classes left, Keida is set to graduate in the spring of 2025. This scholarship will help her reach the finish line as her financial aid runs out. Reflecting on her journey, she admits to experiencing “that last year itis” but is determined to set her goals, stay organized, and work ahead on her assignments.
“After graduating, I’ll have the opportunity to reach new positions in the company,” Keida shares. Her dream is to one day own her own accounting firm, providing financial education to those in the Black community who might not afford or realize they need financial advisement. “Wherever this leads me, I’ll go,” she says, excited about the possibilities her education will bring.
“Women always multitask! By the grace of God, I am really doing this.”
Balancing her roles as a wife, mother, student, and ministry leader, while working two jobs is no easy feat. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to reflect and regroup through her new hobby, growing house plants. “Seeing them grow and creating more life is therapeutic for me,” she explains.
What’s next for Keida? Looking ahead, she is excited about taking a family vacation, the first since 2021, to celebrate her graduation. Her next big dream is buying a new car, and continuing to cheer on her oldest daughter, now in her third year at Indiana University, and her husband, who is pursuing his master’s degree.
Reflecting on her 17 years as a homeowner, Keida acknowledges the impact her Habitat home has had on her family. The stability and space have allowed her and her husband to devote more time to their children’s education. “It’s really the space and personal time we spend with the kids to be on top of it,” she says. Keida recalls when her husband first went back to school, and she financially supported the household alone. “The bulk of the finances fell on me. Having the payments set up the way they are through Habitat is a blessing,” she notes. They are now close to joining the paid-off mortgage club.
