Local veteran overcomes homelessness, builds business to address health issues in the Black community

November 10th, 2023

Army veteran Yolanda Neals-Kindred talks Tiffany Griffith, the supervising producer for “Closer Look,” about overcoming homelessness and creating The Kindred Healing Center to address health disparities in within the Black community. ( LaShawn Hudson/WABE)

Yolanda Neals-Kindred, whose spiritual name is Oriola Esuleke, enlisted in the U.S. Army through a pilot program to recruit African Americans in the intelligence field in 1990 during the height of the crack epidemic. Esuleke says, at the time, she was in her early 20s and wanted to expand her life, pay for her educational expenses and provide a better life for her son.

Esuleke, who had to overcome many life challenges before and after serving in the armed forces, was a guest on Friday’s special edition of “Closer Look.” Just one day ahead of Veterans Day, the show focused on honoring the service and contributions of veterans.

Esuleke talked with supervising producer Tiffany Griffith about how she has used the lessons she learned while serving in the military to overcome homelessness and help address health issues within the Black community through her business, The Kindred Healing Center.