Meet Ki’yha Moore | Founder and Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ki’yha Moore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ki’Yha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The KiYha Moore Foundation was born out of a deep personal experience that ignited a passionate drive to make a difference. The inspiration for starting this organization stems from a heartbreaking situation that occurred with Ki’Yha Moore, an 11-year-old girl from the South Suburbs of Chicago. Despite her best efforts to ignore the bullying she faced daily, it only grew worse, eventually pushing her to a point of despair where she felt that dying was better than living another day in this painful reality.

Witnessing her daughter’s suffering, as well as dealing with buying herself at an early age, Mikkita Moore, Ki’Yha’s mother, and the Co-Founder of the KiYha Moore Foundation, knew that something had to change—not just for her own daughter, but for countless others who were enduring similar struggles. Mikkita couldn’t sit idly by; she needed to create a space for healing, understanding, and support. So, in that pivotal moment of heartbreak, she and Ki’Yha came together and founded the KiYha Moore Foundation with the mission to empower young people, raise awareness about the impact of bullying, and provide a safe, supportive community.

The thought process behind starting the foundation was rooted in the belief that change must begin from within the community itself. The foundation seeks to be the change we all need, to foster a supportive and nurturing environment where children and families can come together as a “village” to support one another. By sharing Ki’Yha’s story, we aim to raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying and offer resources for those who are experiencing similar challenges. We want to be the family and village that others can lean on when they feel alone, hopeless, or unsure how to move forward.

Through this foundation, we hope to inspire resilience, spark change, and create a world where no child or family feels isolated in their struggles. Every step we take is about lifting each other up and ensuring that no one has to go through their battles alone.

What should our readers know about your business?
The KiYha Moore Foundation (KMF) is an organization based in the south suburban area of Chicago, with a mission to provide a safe, supportive space where youth can build confidence, strength, and resilience through mentorship. Our primary focus is to empower young people, ages 6 to 17, particularly those who are underprivileged or have experienced bullying, violence, and drug use. What sets us apart from others is our holistic approach to supporting youth—we don’t just offer mentorship, but also create a strong community where kids can grow in every aspect of their lives.

One of the things I’m most proud of is our Buddy Club, a group of young people who stand against bullying, violence, and drugs. This initiative encourages kids to be leaders, advocates, and allies for each other. We help foster a sense of belonging and responsibility, which builds their self-esteem and empowers them to make positive choices. We also provide a wide range of resources, from group activities, fun classes, and tutoring, to education on personal hygiene, academics, and even human anatomy to help kids understand body growth and changes.

As we’ve worked to combat bullying, violence, and drug use, we’ve learned how important it is to address mental health as well. That’s why we offer monthly group counseling sessions with a licensed therapist and provide referrals for individual counseling if necessary. We know that providing these resources is crucial to helping kids develop emotional strength and confidence.

The road to where we are today has definitely not been easy. The challenges of running a nonprofit, especially one focused on such important and sensitive issues, have been many. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and resilience to keep the foundation running and to ensure that we’re making a lasting impact. There have been moments of doubt, financial struggles, and emotional exhaustion, but the impact we’ve seen in the lives of the young people we serve keeps us going. Overcoming these challenges has taught me the value of perseverance, the importance of community support, and the need for compassion in everything we do.

What excites me the most is the continued growth of the foundation and the lives we’re touching. I want the world to know that KiYha Moore Foundation is not just a place to come for help; it’s a family, a village where every child and family matters. Our story is one of resilience and hope, and we’re committed to helping young people build the confidence and strength they need to face the challenges life throws at them.

Ultimately, I hope that through our work, we can create a world where kids don’t have to suffer in silence. We want to be a source of hope, encouragement, and empowerment for every child who walks through our doors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend, who’s 14 years old, were visiting, here’s how I’d plan an epic week for us—packed with teen-friendly fun, food, and activities in and around Chicago!

Day 1: Explore Downtown Chicago

* Morning: We’d grab breakfast at The Bongo Room, known for their super tasty pancakes. After that, we’d head to Millennium Park to check out “The Bean” (of course, we’re taking tons of selfies!) and then hang out in the park, maybe even try out some cool interactive art.
* Afternoon: We’d go shopping at Water Tower Place—there’s everything from H&M to Forever 21, and the vibe is totally teen-friendly. Then, we’d grab some lunch at Giordano’s and dig into some Chicago deep-dish pizza (totally a must-do!).
* Evening: To end the day, we’d check out The Chicago Riverwalk and just chill by the water, maybe grab a smoothie or snack at one of the little cafes along the way. If we’re in the mood, we could even check out a cool rooftop for some nice views of the city.

Day 2: Teen Hangout Day

* Morning: We’d start with breakfast at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe. After that, we’d take a walk over to Lincoln Park Zoo because it’s free and there’s so much to do. We could see some animals and maybe even catch a feeding session.
* Afternoon: Next up, we’d head over to Lincoln Park Conservatory, which is like stepping into another world full of plants and flowers. For lunch, we’d try Portillo’s for a classic Chicago-style hot dog.
* Evening: Afterward, we’d hang out at Arcade Odyssey or Dave & Buster’s, where we could play tons of games and win tickets for prizes. If we’re feeling up for it, we could hit up a movie at one of the cool theaters downtown.

Day 3: Shopping, Fun, and the Sky

* Morning: We’d grab some breakfast at Beatrix (they’ve got the best options for a good start), then go shopping at The Shops at North Bridge, which has all the stores we’d want like American Eagle and Aerie. We can shop till we drop!
* Afternoon: For a thrill, we’d head to the Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower, and stand on the glass ledge for an epic view of the city—if we’re brave enough!
* Evening: After that, we’d grab some casual dinner at Shake Shack because who doesn’t love burgers and shakes? Then we could check out Navy Pier, maybe ride the Ferris wheel and get some cotton candy.

Day 4: Chill and Explore the Arts

* Morning: We’d start the day by grabbing breakfast at Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!, which has amazing food for a fun day out. Then, we could head over to The Museum of Science and Industry where we can do hands-on exhibits and check out cool things like the submarine and space exhibit.
* Afternoon: After lunch at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, we’d check out The Art Institute of Chicago (there’s cool art but also interactive things for younger people).
* Evening: To wrap up the day, we could head to Aire Chicago, a trendy rooftop bar with beautiful views of the city, even though it’s more of a chill hangout spot for older teens (with a casual vibe perfect for unwinding). Alternatively, we could go to The Godfrey Hotel’s Roof Top Lounge, which offers an awesome view of the city and a cozy space to enjoy the night.

Day 5: Adventure and Fun Outdoors

* Morning: We’d start off the day by grabbing breakfast at Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!, which has amazing food for a fun day out. Then, we’d head to Grant Park to just walk around and take in the views.
* Afternoon: For some outdoor adventure, we’d rent bikes and cruise along Lake Michigan—it’s such a great way to see the city from a different perspective. We could stop at Montrose Beach for some sand and a chill vibe.
* Evening: For dinner, we’d try RPM Italian for some pasta, and afterward, we could hit up Lincoln Hall for a live music show or find a nearby ice cream place like Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream for a sweet treat.

Day 6: Teen Fun in the Suburbs

* Morning: We’d take a trip out to Oak Park to check out the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio—the design is so cool and something teens can appreciate too. Then we’d grab brunch at The Original Pancake House—their pancakes are legendary!
* Afternoon: We’d hang out at Brookfield Zoo for some more animal fun, or even stop by Elmhurst Art Museum for a chill vibe.
* Evening: We could try some food from Firehouse Pizza before heading to Woodfield Mall, one of the biggest malls around with tons of teen stores to shop at. It’d be fun to just hang out, shop, and try some of the food spots.

Day 7: Chill Out and Reflect

* Morning: We’d start with breakfast at Café des Architectes, which has amazing pastries. Then, we’d head to The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago to check out exhibits that are really cool for our age group.
*Afternoon: For lunch, we’d hit up Joe’s Seafood Shack for some chill seafood. After that, we could go hang out at Montrose Harbor, or visit Lincoln Park for some relaxed vibes.
* Evening: To wrap up our week, we’d go to Garrett’s Popcorn for some Chicago-famous popcorn, then end with a fun movie night at one of Chicago’s teen-favorite movie theaters.

The week would definitely be packed with non-stop fun, shopping, cool food spots, and activities to make sure my best friend had an amazing time exploring the best of the city!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my mom, Mikkita Moore. She’s the reason the KiYha Moore Foundation exists today, and I can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done. When I was struggling and feeling hopeless, my mom didn’t just watch; she stepped in and turned all of that pain into something powerful. She didn’t just help me; she also helped me create a whole space for other kids and families who were going through the same things.

Her love for me and her determination to make a difference has been the driving force behind everything. She’s been my biggest supporter, and honestly, she’s been the voice for so many others who felt unheard. My mom is the reason we’re able to help so many people, and I’m so proud of her for everything she’s done with this foundation.

So, this shoutout is for her. She’s my hero, and the KiYha Moore Foundation wouldn’t be here without her. Thank you, Mom, for always being there for me and for everyone else who needed someone to believe in them. You’re everything.

Website: https://kiyhamoorefoundation.org/

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