About Women of 4D
Our PURPOSE is to empower single mothers pursuing higher education to overcome educational barriers, achieve financial stability, access resources, and maintain emotional well-being. To provide tools needed for women impacted by incarceration through reintegration and post release advocacy.
Our MISSION is to empower single mothers, including women impacted by incarceration, through support and resources needed to overcome challenges, navigate reintegration, achieve personal resilience, educational success, and financial stability.
Our VISION is a society where families and communities thrive, with access to resources that create positive change and transformation.
Founders
Kadetra Cooper
Founder
Renee Ridley
Founding Board Member
Board of Directors
Kadetra Cooper
Currently serves as President of Women of 4D. She is a passionate advocate for personal growth and development with a deep understanding of self-awareness in personal transformation. Kadetra equips individuals to handle life's challenges, even in the face of unexpected circumstances.
Becoming a mother at 20 was a pivotal moment for Kadetra, as she navigated the challenges of being a single parent while juggling the demands as a working college student. This experience sparked her passion for helping other mothers, especially single mothers, overcome the obstacles of motherhood while fostering empowerment and resilience.
As the proud mother of two creative young adult children, Kadetra draws from her personal experiences to inspire, educate, and empower others to look beyond their now. Her commitment to community service is evident through her volunteer work with organizations focused on women and education. She is also, an active member of her church, and has served in administrative leadership roles.
Kadetra's professional credentials include:
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing & Merchandising
• Master of Business Administration in Management
• Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) designation
She is the Founder and Principal Officer of a business consulting firm and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence.
Kadetra is committed to creating a platform that uplifts single mothers socially, financially, emotionally, spiritually, professionally, and intellectually, through a supportive, healing, and diverse sisterhood network.
Renee Ridley
Vice President and Acting Treasurer of Women of 4D, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Her dedication to helping those in need, particularly single mothers, stems from her personal journey as a young unmarried mother.
Renee's story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that goals can be pursued and achieved while navigating the challenges of single parenthood. With a strong belief that obstacles are opportunities for growth, Renee attributes her success to her willingness to take calculated risks. Her ability to "beat all odds" has led to numerous rewarding opportunities.
Currently, Renee balances her professional life with her roles as a wife and mother to an athletic and intelligent young adult daughter.
Renee's impressive educational and professional background includes:
• Bachelor of Science and Art in Business Administration, Management
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology
• Certified Money Laundering Specialist
• Certified Fraud Examiner
• Certified Financial Crimes Specialist
• Certified Global Sanctions Specialist
Cheryl Edwards-Cannon
Secretary of the Board at Women of 4D, Cheryl brings valuable expertise and dedication to the team. She is the Lead Consultant and CEO of a consulting company specializing in guiding families through end-of-life decisions and plays a significant role in the organization.
Cheryl has a master's degree in management and a Certificate in Gerontology. Her combined academic knowledge with practical experience provides comprehensive support to families facing elderly care challenges.
As an Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Cheryl shares her expertise with the next generation of professionals. Her work as a caregiver professional has gained recognition in various publications, including:
• Women's Lifestyle Magazine (2015)
• Grand Rapids Press (2014)
• Toledo Blade (2014)
• USA Today (2010)
Cheryl's commitment to helping families navigate elderly care challenges is further exemplified by her published book Taking Care of Miss Bee Bee: Stories by a Daughter Extraordinaire and caregiving story in "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Alzheimer's and Other Dementias" (2014).
Her expertise in end-of-life care and gerontology adds a valuable dimension to our organization, particularly in addressing the needs of single mothers caring for aging parents.
Why Women of 4D
Kadetra was a guest of the Morning FUEL Podcast to talk about the mission of Women of 4D and why she is committed to creating a platform to be a resource and advocate for single mothers through a diverse network of sisterhood.
