Partnerships
Valon Alford
MSW, LCSW, LICSW, PMH-C
Valon Alford is an award winning clinical social worker with advanced training and
certifications in Sex Education, Sex Therapy, and Maternal Mental Health. Currently, Valon
works as a Clinical Instructor and Psychotherapist with the University of North Carolina’s
Women’s Mood Disorder Clinic. Additionally, Valon is the Owner of Vitality Wellness
Solutions, PLLC, a sexual health organization that promotes pleasure, wellness, and advocacy through workshops, consultation, and therapy. In past professional roles, Valon has worked with children and families across the lifespan in various capacities, including permanency & adoption social worker, intensive outpatient mental health clinician with veterans, medical social worker & psychotherapist for active duty military personnel, and liaison for retired NFL players. Valon’s work embodies cultural humility and emphasis on intersectionality, or the ways in which multiple systems of oppression affect Black people (and Black women) in particular, especially as it relates to mental, sexual, and maternal/reproductive health.
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Valon is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional through Postpartum Support
International. She completed the Sexual Health Certificate Program at the University of
Michigan School of Social Work in 2019, where she obtained a certificate in sex therapy and
sexuality education. Valon received dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Human Development & Family Studies and African American Studies with a minor in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2009. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Howard University in 2011. She is licensed as an independent clinical social worker in the District of Columbia and North Carolina. Valon currently lives in Durham, NC with her family.
Ariassa Wilson
Aka "Coach Rees"
Ariassa Wilson, known as Coach Rees is a dynamic, authentic, growth minded individual. Former head college basketball coach, current student, retention manager, supervisor, professor, curriculum developer and consultant; she brings 15 years of leadership, teaching and coaching experience from basketball courts, classrooms, to boardrooms and Zoom.
Coach Rees’s passion for life and seeing other people grow, led her to:
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Earn a Bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry and Psychology
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A Masters in Coaching and Administration
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Playing professional basketball in Brazil
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Create a non-profit geared towards leadership and life skill development for marginalized youth.
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Visit all 50 states and 26 countries
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Hard work, passion and purpose driven are a few phrases to describe Rees. Coach Rees has coached up individuals across the globe, in countries like Colombia, to rural parts of Alaska; speaking at assemblies and numerous college leadership development events. Her background includes coaching individuals from all walks of life, from first generation college students, professional athletes, professors, entrepreneurs, to real estate investors.
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Coach Rees’s life conviction is to empower others to believe they are worthy of investing in themselves. This is done through passion, love, repetition, relationship. Rees will assist you in discovering your life's mission, vision and purpose. Using specific tactics that contribute to growth in your emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and behavioral finance, empowering you to thrive with confidence by centering yourself.
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When not serving others, Rees is working to complete her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, running real estate investment companies, and traveling the world. Rees is proud to lead and serve and to be a role model for others while dismantling injustices and stereotypes, to promote anti-racist structures.
Lauren Jones
LICSW, LCSW-C
Hey, my name is Lauren, and I am the Founder and Executive Director of Propel Productions Center, Inc.
I'm a Clinical Social Worker and while working within the realm of mental health, I've noticed that there are no "fun" or "engaging" agencies that truly meet people where they are. That had to change! I decided to create an organization that inspires people to want to participate in mental health. I wanted to design a place that I needed when I was younger...a space to process difficult emotions and create. As an adult, I need this space now more than ever!
I love so many different forms of expressive arts. However, my favorite art genre is dance. I'm able to tell stories through my body that I may struggle to convey through words alone. Recently, I've also gravitated towards gardening (herbs & succulents) and aromatherapy. There's something purely magical when you play in the dirt. I'm looking forward to baking with my fresh ingredients soon.
Anyway, it's so important that we begin to prioritize our mental health. It is at the foundation of who we are and how we function. Using the expressive arts to do that makes emotional wellness more manageable and enjoyable.
I envision PPC becoming the 'Parks & Rec' of the mental health and wellness space. A community pillar for healing.
Founder & Executive Director | Propel Productions Center Inc.
Website: www.propelproductionscenter.org
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Shanicka Tairu
ACE Certified Personal & Small Group Trainer
Purposely Fit, LLC is a faith-based fitness organization that focuses on women of all ages and married couples. In the midst of fitness training, we work on breaking down the societal norms of beauty. Becoming an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, was birthed from my passion to help individuals be the healthiest versions of themselves, as well as being a college volleyball athlete. Our desire is for all clients to see that they can and will as long as they believe.
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My name is the Shanicka Tairu. I was born in Orlando, Florida and raised in Jonesboro, Georgia. The HBCU that I always dreamed of attending is where I played volleyball. I walked on my freshman year and earned my scholarship for the last 3 years of my college career. Bethune-Cookman University, in Daytona Beach, Florida, is where I graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education in 2011. Which led me to becoming an Educator at Westside Elementary for the past 8 years. Daytona Beach, Florida has been home to myself and college sweetheart. Here is where we have birthed 3 daughters (twin girls and single daughter). We are now really excited to be introducing our first son to this world in June 2021. Life just continues to get better and better.
Tiffany Touissant
LCSW
Tiffany Angelique Toussaint hails from the beautiful island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin
Islands where she was born and raised. In 2005, she relocated to Daytona Beach, Florida where she attended Bethune-Cookman University and later graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Tiffany’s heart for helping others grow into their full potential holistically continued to blossom into a passion for social work. This led to her attain a Master’s degree in Social Work. Over the years, Tiffany has worked with a number of local agencies to affect change in the lives of many.
Today, Tiffany is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and works as a full-time Mental Health Therapist with Volusia County Schools. She is known as being an advocate with a passion to help others overcome areas of obstacles and stagnation in their lives. After the tragedy of
losing her mother in 2017, she was able to heal and overcome with the help of prayer, therapy, and lots of love and support from family and close friends. The magnitude of this loss is something that will always be felt, however, she has decided to use weight of the loss to her mother’s legacy here on Earth. Tiffany wants everyone that she encounters to feel at ease, comfortable, excited, engaged, motivated, and ultimately, empowered.
Jenae Pierre Ingram
MSW, LCSW
I am a licensed clinical social worker and mental health coach with a love for sports. I have served as a high school coach for Track and Field, Cheerleading and Cross Country as well as an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) advisor and a Football academic advisor for several years.
As an athlete myself, I understand the importance and correlation of athletic performance and mental health. Through my experience as a coach, athlete, and therapist, I have the first hand knowledge of what teens today struggle with as well as my own experience balancing the challenging demands of being a student-athlete.
My love for sports, GOD and mental health has driven me to blend the three to provide youth engaged in athletics with a truly comprehensive and fulfilling experience in mental health. It is my ultimate desire for those who participate in LITT services to leave feeling confident, aware and committed to living intentionally in who they are called to be in and outside of their respective sports.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Mental Health Coach
Website: https://www.livingintentionallytotransform.com/
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