Raising Our Kings: How Anya Owensbrown Turned Fear Into a Movement

OUR KINGS was born from grief, fear, and love — and grew into a movement. In this episode of RISE Urban Nation, Anya Owensbrown shares the powerful story behind OUR KINGS, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the brilliance of Black boys and supporting the families raising them. From Mommy & King to Kings to Kings, this conversation explores community, belonging, identity, and what it truly means to raise Kings in today’s world.

Anya bio: 

I’m Anya Owensbrown — an early childhood educator, a mom of five, and the founder of OUR KINGS. This work started from something real: looking at my own sons and realizing the world didn’t always see them the way I do. I noticed there was a gap — no one was pouring into our boys early, during those critical years from birth to 13.

So I created OUR KINGS.

We celebrate, support, and uplift Black boys from the beginning. We build a village around them — one that shows them they’re worthy of joy, protection, and a strong foundation. We do this by partnering with schools and community organizations, running in-school programs, and offering yearly membership options that keep our boys connected, engaged, and growing, building a strong brotherhood and an united village.

And when we say KINGS, we mean it: Kind, Intelligent, Noble, Gifted Sons of Queens and Kings. THAT’S WHO THEY ARE— and that’s how we treat them.

Because I’m a mother, I understand how important it is to have a village, so we have created a just that by supporting families by giving them the tools and knowledge to advocate for their sons — especially when navigating health care, the education system, or the justice system. Because strong boys need strong support, and no parent should have to figure it out alone.

This isn’t just a nonprofit — it’s a movement grounded in love and built for real impact. We start young, stay consistent, and never let them forget how powerful they are. That Black boy joy is real and they deserve every bit of it

Media: 

• Website: Ourkings.org 
• Instagram: ourkingsanonprofit 
• TikTok: ourkingsanonprofit 
• Facebook: OUR KINGS 
• email: anya@ourkings.org (inquiries sponsorships )
• Info@ourkings.org ( volunteer, collaborations, partnership opportunities) 
• BBJOY to 53555 to donate 

Resources & Links:

🌐 Website: https://ourkings.org

📧 Contact: anya@ourkings.org

Credits:

Host: Taryell Simmons

Guest: Anya Owensbrown

Music: Will Maker

Production: RISE Urban Nation

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