Hey Y’all, I’m Yuri Kendrick. Texas-born and bred. My soul is fed with laughter, music, oh… and bread! Cornbread, Sweet bread, Garlic bread, you get it! Blessed to have been able to hear it from my 92 year old grandfather- a sentiment shared by Dr. Russell Ledet,

“I am my ancestors wildest dreams.”

As an African-American girl, I was born searching for my roots, for the air to embrace it, for the water to cultivate it. Struggling as a suburban in my adolescent years, fighting the stereotypes as a young single mom in my 20’s and at last in my 30’s, redefining and normalizing some of those cultural archetypes. It’s that evolution, my evolution that made my “Paw-Paw” share his pride for me and my accomplishments. Aside from his own witness to the advancement of this country and our place in it, he knows my story and this rich life I have, this person I became, well nobody but God knew that.

So Who is Yuri Kendrick?

I am first and foremost a lover of God. Consequently, I strive to live a life of outward gratitude for the blessings that He has given. My greatest blessing being my “hubbeau” Tay, whom I’ve known since I was 10 yrs. old who I met at our little southern church in Round Rock. Together we have been blessed with the honor of nurturing four, very different, yet equally beautiful souls. Ironically, growing up I never saw myself being a mom, I didn’t make up hypothetical names or ever daydream up their faces.      Remember the paper and pencil game MASH from the 90’s? Yeah well let’s just say no matter the outcome- a shack in the country, married to my principal, driving a ice cream truck, the most outrageous prediction to me was always if I’d have more than ZERO kids.

Turns out my love for crafting extended to making humans and I can honestly say it has been unexpectedly and undeniably rewarding.

My twin girls (15) are everything I wish I would’ve been in my teens and I treasure how big and wide open their hearts are. They are absolutely a big part of why we chose to have more children after we got married! My favorite (and only) son (6) is literally God’s personalized gift to me- he has all of the best parts of his dad and I. His level of innocence, intellect and insight leaves us frequently astonished and admittedly always on our toes. Okay So… have you ever been distracted while cooking? Like maybe Montell Jordan’s This is How We Do It comes up on the playlist or all too often, one of those creatures you made starts tugging on your arm but this time… just as you’re pouring the spices and BOOM just like that, something you’ve made before with your eyes closed has a whole lotta extra kick and now you gotta figure out how to make it all work cause well, you can’t start over… this is our baby girl (3). Like God was up there already being funny by “surprising” us with a baby just as we were juggling very busy careers, and all the swivel action it takes to parent preteens and a toddler with severe food allergies. Then it’s as if he tipped his hand and gave this little spitfire all the sass he had on hand (surely a portion of what was supposed to be distributed to several of y’all’s children). Anyways, she’s mine and I love her. Our home is loud, the rooms are full and the “kitchen” is closed.

Since we are indeed going to be friends, you should at least know what you’re getting into, even if you can’t run from it.

I’m the Sugar and the Spice, not like the seasonal pumpkin latte but more like the strawberry jalapeno jam at the local farmer’s market. Everything you wanted and exactly what you needed. I am driven by my passion to make a difference in the world, in my communities and in my home. If I’m quoting those who know me best, I live for do-ING and always find a way to “do the most.”

Yuri Kendrick – Almost 20 years as a Marketing and/or Event planner has creatively fueled this passion and afforded me the opportunity to share in so many joyous moments. However it would be the unpleasantries of life and my transition into an incumbent advocate for food allergies, children with disabilities, diversity, inclusion, equity and discipleship that rekindled my love for writing and public speaking. I’m a melomaniac- always singing, usually dancing but almost completely incapable of JUST listening to music (unless it’s Jazz). As you’ve probably already concluded, I love food. I am resolved to interpreting the scripture John 10:10 (life more abundantly) completely relative to God’s intention for me to eat to my hearts content. I enjoy cooking almost as much as I do eating and I’ve decided it is unarguably, my sixth love language. I love to play games, watch movies, read books and spend time with my tribe. Authentically and purposefully seeking to be a better version of myself and for ways to serve others in a way reflective of the scripture 1 Peter 4:10.

My journey is an imperfectly perfect one, like the singed brown sugar crust on my notorious sweet potato casserole (not so pretty but enhances the flavor and adds character) and I look forward to sharing the pieces with anyone willing to take a bite.

~Yuri Kendrick

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