Soul of 78- Kiranda Robbins
Program Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Walker and Winston Counties
Words by Jessica Kirkland | Image by Justin Hunter
In every community, there are individuals whose influence is felt long before their names are widely known. Their service is steady, understated, and rooted in a genuine desire to help others grow. For nearly two decades, Kiranda Robbins has been one of those quiet forces in Walker and Winston counties, serving children, strengthening schools, and shaping the next generation through her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham.
Kiranda began her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters 19 years ago as a college intern who already knew she was meant to work with youth. With a natural gift for empathy and connection, she saw the organization as a place where her strengths could serve something greater than herself. What was originally meant to be semester-long placement quickly became her life’s work.
Today, Kiranda serves both counties by matching high school “Bigs” with younger “Littles,” in schools and throughout the community. She works closely with Curry, Meek, and Jasper City Schools, interviewing mentors and mentees, listening carefully to their stories, and determining which pairings will foster the most meaningful relationships. Her role may not be highly visible, but its ripple effects are powerful and long-lasting.
“Every young person needs a mentor,” Kiranda says. “Not only children who are struggling or living in poverty. Every child needs encouragement, support, and someone who believes in them. Mentoring isn’t about fixing a problem. It’s about being present, building resilience, and helping a child grow into who they’re meant to be.”
Much of Kiranda’s work happens quietly, in small moments. It may be a thoughtful conversation with a high school student, a reassuring word to a worried parent, or the careful consideration that goes into pairing a Big and a Little. While these moments may seem small, the relationships they help create are anything but. They change lives, strengthen schools, and improve communities.
Kiranda is especially passionate about dismantling the stigma that mentoring is only for “those kids.” As she explains, “Children are not problems to solve, rather they’re people to invest in. Every child benefits from connection, no matter their background, personality, or circumstances.”
One of her hopes is to see every school in Walker and Winston counties partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Another is to see a significant increase in community mentors, especially adults who can offer consistency, encouragement, and time. With tear-filled eyes, Kiranda shares, “All of us, at some point in our lives, will need someone to walk beside us, and right now, the clock is ticking, and children are waiting.”
The difference between a child who struggles alone and a child who thrives often comes down to one willing adult. Without a doubt, the time we invest in our youth today builds a stronger community for tomorrow.
Kiranda’s service may not always be noticed, but its impact is unmistakable. In her, our community has a shining example of what it looks like to give quietly, serve faithfully, and change lives-one child at a time. 78