Member Monday – CanDice Miller

CanDice Miller is a transformational speaker, advocate, minister, servanthood leader, author and Military Veteran. Miller officially founded Beauty From Ashes Foundation, Inc. (BFAF, Inc.) in July 2020. She and her children, Tara and Tyrece, began to conceptualize the organization in 2016 after the trauma of sexual assault destroyed their family. Questions like, “How can we prevent this from happening again, to anyone?” and “How can we stand in the gaps of the system that allowed us to fall through the cracks so that other families don’t have to hurt, feel alone, or become homeless, like we did?”, fueled their desire to help others through their healing process. Developing BFAF, Inc. aided in the healing process for Miller’s family. She has always felt that even in the darkness of her grief, she can still shine light on hope for others.” The lessons Miller learned and heartaches endured serve as catalysts for the organization’s conception, inception and successful fruition.

While in uniform, Miller served as a Unit Supply Specialist (92Y), AFGE Union President, Public Relations Manager, Suicide Prevention Liaison, and Volunteer Chaplain for her local Family Readiness Group. As a civilian, she has also served the community by working in the mental health industry and for a Veterans organization that served the homeless, and at risk of becoming homeless, Veteran population. As a Job Developer and Outreach Specialist, she: aided the Veterans in obtaining gainful employment, connected them with other Veteran resources to address their mental and physical health concerns, provided peer-to-peer counseling and referrals to agencies that assisted with emergency and long-term housing solutions. Miller has always been very passionate about developing solutions that address present needs and eliminates future issues. She pays acute attention to detail and logistical processes.

Miller is a servanthood leader with a genuine desire to make things better. She is passionate about progress and compassionate about meeting the needs of others. Miller has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Communications from Eastern Michigan University, a Mini-MBA in Business Management for Military and Veterans from Rutgers University and is presently working on a Master’s of Science and licensure in Marriage and Family Therapy, with future plans to become Dr. Miller, PsyD.

Miller proudly serves as one of the first African American, female Vice Presidents for the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce. She has previously served as Member Relations Manager and Business Developer for the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey where she supported the Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program (SBBRAP) in partnership with the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

Miller is a self-proclaimed “Southern Belle with Northern exposure” as she was born and raised in Texas and has resided in New Jersey for the past 20 years. She loves laughing, spending time with her family, ministering, singing, speaking at various events, playing basketball, football, volleyball, kickball, going hiking and making TikTok videos.

Miller’s military, academic and civilian background, coupled with her passion for excellence and love for God and her family are the driving forces behind Beauty From Ashes Foundation, Inc.