Redefining normal:
Building healthy families in foster care
Justin Black, author, speaker, and serial entrepreneur, delivered a powerful presentation titled “Redefining Normal.” Black shared his deeply personal journey of overcoming generational trauma and navigating the foster care system to become a successful author and advocate for foster youth.
Black’s presentation focused on how our understanding of “normal” is shaped by the environments in which we grow up — our families, communities, and societies. For those who have experienced foster care, this “normal” often reflects the trauma and instability of their upbringing. Black emphasized the importance of redefining what normal means by creating a new narrative rooted in love, structure, and positive expectations.
In his bestselling book, “Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat the Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness, and Love,” co-authored with his wife Alexis, Black explores their journey of overcoming the challenges of foster care and how they built a healthy and loving family. The book serves as a beacon of hope for others in the foster care system, offering strategies to break the cycle of trauma and build a better future.
Black shared his experiences of growing up in a home filled with generations of substance abuse and domestic violence. He candidly spoke about how these experiences shaped his understanding of respect, love, and survival. “It was normal for me to try to gain respect with violence,” Black recalled. His life took a turn when he entered the foster care system at the age of 9, where he encountered mentors who encouraged him to take control of his future.
Despite struggling academically, Black’s mentors instilled in him the belief that he could succeed. With their guidance, he graduated from college, studied abroad, and became the author of a life-changing book. Today, Black challenges foster parents and caregivers to set positive expectations for the youth in their care and to lead by example. He stressed the importance of consistency, forgiveness, and never giving up on the children who need them the most.
One of the key takeaways from Black’s presentation was the importance of being solution-focused rather than problem-focused. He urged the audience to shift their perspective and look for the strengths in every child, fostering an environment where they can thrive.
Black concluded his presentation with a powerful message: “The only thing I ask is that you please don’t give up on them. Have faith throughout the process.” His words resonated deeply with everyone in attendance, reminding us of all of the critical role we play in the lives of foster youth.
