Creator of Opportunities
Alexis Lenderman-Black has never been one to sit and wait for opportunities to come her way. Instead, she creates them. Having spent time in the foster care system as a child, she found numerous ways to flourish at WMU, and ultimately secured over $200,000 in scholarships to fund her education. Along the way, she participated in an incredible eight study abroad trips, which fueled her passion to become a true citizen of the world.
After graduating with degrees in entrepreneurship and global and international studies, Lenderman-Black teamed with her husband, WMU graduate Justin Black, to co-author the bestselling book, “Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat The Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness and Love.” Together, they have transformed their book into a company where they have worked to continue the conversation on important topics through keynotes, workshops and more. She now operates three companies: Redefining Normal, ROSE Empowerment Group and The Scholarship Expert, with hopes of helping others break societal barriers and thrive.
Favorite Kalamazoo Attractions: “Airway Lanes, Kalamazoo Candle Company, WMU Starting Gate and Can-Do Kitchen.”