Kaia Dream Hodge

Kaia Dream Hodge was born on February 13, 2006 as an only child to Ebony Madison and the eldest to Kenneth S. Hodge at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx, NY. For the past 10 years she has also been blessed to have her stepdad, Lamar Smith imparting his wisdom and showering her with love. Education has always been the gateway to access and opportunity. At 2.5 years old, Kaia began her education at Harvest Prep Academy, Bronx, NY. Shortly thereafter she also enrolled in Fancy Feet Dance Studio where twice a week she studied modern dance, tap and ballet, but quickly discovered ballet was her favorite and soon transitioned to ballet only. In the summer of 2011, five-year-old Kaia performed her first ever ballet recital. Her love for dance continued as a Praise Dancer in the Youth Church at Cathedral United Baptist Church, Bronx, NY where she was Christened at 3 months old by Presiding Bishop James Eugene Berry. From kindergarten through third grade, she attended Saints Philip and James Catholic School at which she begged to attend public school like many of her friends and church peers. While enrolled as a 4th and 5th grader at Baychester Academy, Bronx, NY, Kaia would come into her own. It was here that she began to enjoy socializing, volunteering, Halloween parties, attending father/daughter dances and so much more that was different from the confinements of Catholic School. To Kaia, public school was EVERYTHING! She rounded out her NYC education at Manhattan’s West Side Collaborative Middle School, where Auntie Natasha taught, and Jada also attended. In July 2018, the family left NYC and moved to Charlotte, NC where Kaia attended Quail Hollow Middle School and graduated virtually. Now a 9 th grader, she began high school at South Meck. As a child, Kaia enjoyed cars, an interest further fueled by watching her Stepdad in his profession, such that from grades 9 through 11 she was engaged in the automotive pathway which taught the basics of automotive care. As a Senior, she spent the school year working at the help desk in the main office, serving as a member of the South Meck Ambassadors and regularly attending Black Student Union meetings. Notably throughout high school, Kaia held 3 different jobs (all which Kaia and Jada worked at together). Each teaching Kaia work ethic and the responsibility of having a job. All work and no play make you dull, and Kaia was never dull. While she could “jack up a car”, she was undeniably a girly girl who loved makeup and shopping! It would not have come as a surprise if she’d dabbled as a makeup artist to earn extra cash while in college. In contrast to NYC’s cold winters, Charlotte’s warmer climate meant she could enjoy NC's expansive trails for walks and bike rides. Free time was also spent creating Pinterest boards, attending school sporting events, parties, gatherings with friends and of course, family fun (riding scooters, movie nights, golfing, volunteering, bowling)!! Summer 2023, Kaia accomplished her dream of traveling abroad. The trip to Italy with her peers and teachers was an unforgettable opportunity that she cherished, so much so that she spoke of living abroad after college. Last fall, Kaia began applying to college and had recently been accepted to 5 of 5 colleges via early decision. She had finally made up her mind to accept the invitation to study Marketing at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. On the brink of a dream fulfilled, Kaia was days away from contacting the University and submitting payment to confirm enrollment and secure a dorm room when the fatal accident took place. Kaia is survived by a loving family of grandparent, younger siblings, Godparents, God sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. We will always remember Kaia and her tenacity to achieve her dreams!

Kaia Dream Hodge

February 13, 2006 - March 8, 2024