Mental Wellness Awareness Month – 2021

Alexis D. Owens is an Oakland, California native where she attended Oakland Public Schools, and was raised in the West Oakland Community by her great-grandmother. Alexis learned valuable lessons at an early age such as the benefits and the power of faith, love, and education.

Ms. Owens is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, with over 4 years of serving diverse populations in private, group, and community organization settings. Her desire is to provide all clients with a person-centered approach of which demonstrating empathy, genuineness and acceptance is a
top priority. Alexis received her undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the California State University, East Bay after transferring from Xavier University of Louisiana due to the horrific events of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Alexis was determined to continue her education, and eventually earned a
Master’s Degree in Counseling psychology from Holy Names University, Oakland, CA. in 2017. The wealth of her clinical experience includes serving individuals, groups, and organizations in matters of Anxiety/Depression, Co-Occurring Disorders, Self-Esteem & Self-Care Habits, Trauma, and a host of other categories. She enjoys being a positive facilitator for client concerns and trauma, while exploring the possibility of healing and joy, for each client. Alexis thoroughly enjoys training organizations, and was recently certified as Mental Health First Aid Adult Instructor in 2019.

In all endeavors, Alexis has kept her relationship with God at the forefront of all she does. She has had the pleasure to serve in ministry at the Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Gregory B. Payton, where she has been a member since the age of 6. Her faith in God and spiritual maturity has been tested and has evolved over the years, by the grace of God. Alexis serves as Servant Leader of the Junior Women’s Ministry, a faithful teacher of the Sunday School Department and a proud member of the Echoes of Zion Choir.

Alexis Owens, MFT, professional history includes her current position as a full-time Social Worker for Contra Costa County, Child Protective Services, where she has the privilege to collaborate with families as they navigate the court process of Juvenile Dependency cases. Ms. Owens has also been a Lead Care
Navigator for the Alameda County Care Alliance Collaborative in Oakland, CA since 2015. She conducts ACCA program recruitment activities at Greater St. John, one of the five original ACCA churches, as well as community events and local, regional and national conferences. As a Care Navigator, she has worked
closely with over 300 persons needing advanced illness care and caregivers, helping to identify needs across 5 cornerstones: spiritual, advance care planning, health (physical and emotional), social and caregiving. In addition to identifying participant needs, Ms. Owens works to meet these needs by
researching and providing trusted resources and empowering participants to become their own advocate through use of ACCA program tools and training. As one of the original hub navigators, Ms. Owens has helped to coach new care navigators and liaisons as they joined the program.

Ms. Owens attributes her ability to serve and grow in any capacity as a blessing and a honor from God, as she strives to keep Him at the center of it all.

Shawneece Stevenson is a wife, mom of two teenagers and a college student on the Peninsula. She has parented her own students with a variety of health and educational needs. She’s a social worker and newly elected Board of Trustee, Sequoia Union High School District (to be confirmed December 16, 2020). She recently started a new company, Spark&Passion, a personal coaching and consulting service. But most importantly, she has a heart for addressing health disparities, mental wellness, and supporting parents, children and families. She looks forward to talking about self esteem.

Sean Chatmon is an African American mental health therapist in the bay Area who was born and raised in East Palo Alto Ca. Growing up Sean witnessed and experienced traumatic events and noticed how these events as well as the experiences of his peers, shaped him and changed his way of thinking of the world. Sean took an interest in finding solutions or ways that people can deal with their emotions and experiences in a positive way and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Whittier College and got his Master’s degree in counseling psychology at Santa Clara University. Today Sean works as a  licensed program supervisor for a family and children’s program and early intervention program at Catholic Charities Santa Clara County. Sean loves to spend his free time connecting with family and friends or alone working on music and poetry.

Ren Moodie has over 10 years of experience counseling individuals suffering with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation just to name a few.  He prides himself with the work he does with family dynamics, dysfunctional communication styles, and addicts within a family system.  Currently, Ren is finishing up his doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology while studying to take his LMFT exam.

Hello my name is Angelequea Bradley and I am an LCSW. I have over 10 years of experience working with children, teenager, young adults and adults. I have a Masters in Social Work from University of Southern California and a Bachelors of Arts from University of California, Riverside. I use a person-centered, non-judgmental approach to assist individuals in working through depression, past trauma, anxiety, and myriad of life stressors and situations that can impact our daily lives.

Antwon Chatmon is a proud East Palo Alto native who loves to serve the community through his music, spoken word artistry, work as an educator and mental health professional. After growing up in East Palo Alto and graduating from Palo Alto High School in 2010, Antwon traveled to Southern California to obtain his Bachelor’s in Psychology from Whittier College. During his summers in college, Antwon worked back home in East Palo Alto as a peer mentor for the Sponsored Employment Program (SEP) through One East Palo Alto. After graduating from college in 2014, he moved back home to the Bay Area and continued to serve in several roles as a mental health clinician, mentor and counselor. Antwon graduated with a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2019 and has continued serving as a mental health therapist for teens and young adults on Juvenile probation throughout Santa Clara County. As an Associate Marriage and Family therapist, speaker, music and spoken word artist, Antwon is passionate about connecting with, showing love to and uplifting others.

Danielle is a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC 9053). She describes therapy as “holding people’s hands while they find their feet.” A lifelong learner, she holds degrees in business, ministry, and counseling. Her Professional Clinical Counseling degree is from Liberty University.

Danielle blends academic learning and life experience to create a supportive, empathetic partnership with her clients. She has survived divorce, layoffs, and trauma. She shares tools that have helped her with her clients.

Danielle provides therapy in individual and group formats. She supports people experiencing issues with self-worth, relationships, communication, couple conflicts, depression, anxiety, and trauma. She is supervised by Kristen Hannah, LMFT 97199 and Valerie Doyle, LMFT 52103.

This is my fourteenth year in the helping profession. Initially, I began my undergraduate studies at  Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately, I was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.  In spite of the displacement, God allowed favor! I began matriculation at Scripps College, of the Claremont  Colleges Consortium. God opened an opportunity, in which I was extended an invitation to be a Resident  Advisor. This covered room and board. In May 2007, I received my B.A. in Psychology and a Minor in Black  Studies. Immediately following my collegiate B.A. credential, I have obtained a position with a Human  Services Agency (HSA) in San Mateo County (SMC). Prior to transitioning (after 8 years) in children-families service, HSA-SMC, I began matriculating as an MSW graduate candidate at the University of Southern  California’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck, School of Social Work, via Virtual Academic Center (VAC). By 2016, I obtained my USC Master of Social Work (MSW) and clearance for the Pupil of Personal School Credential.  (PPSC). Additionally, to date, I am registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) as an Associate  Clinical Social Worker (ACSW). Currently, I am in pursuit of licensure – LCSW. Once an LCSW, my prayer  is to launch and be the CEO of my own private practice. Also, to date, I am a USC Field Instructor (FI) for two second-year USC MSW candidates.  

I am a father, husband, mentor, and community leader. I was born and raised in East San Jose. I love spending as much quality time as I can with my son and wife. I also enjoy watching and playing both football and combat sports.

I graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1995, where I played football and ran track. I continued to compete in Track & Field at Fresno State University, a Division I school, where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology with a specialization in Victimology. I also earned a Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University in 2004 and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from San Jose State in 2006. I have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 13 years (2007) and have a private practice in downtown Campbell, CA while also working for the Oak Grove School District as a District Mental Health Counselor for 17 years.

Najma, was born in Buffalo New York but raised in Tappahannock Virginia! She went to high school at Shenandoah Valley Academy in the mountains of Luray VA and then went off to college and attended an HBCU, Oakwood University in Huntsville Alabama. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. While she was there she was Miss United Negro College Fund of Oakwood University from 2016-2018.

Najma then went on to get her masters degree in Clinical Social Work at Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU in Atlanta Georgia.

Najma currently lives in Atlanta Georgia and works at Wellspring Living an organization that serves youth and women that have been sex trafficked.

One of Najma’s favorite things to do is travel and do missionary work. She started on her first mission trip at age 14 when she travelled to Arizona to help children and families on the Holbrook Indian Reservation. Her travels have taken her to Mexico, Panama, Brazil, Kenya, Cape Town, South Africa, Dubai, and Bali!

Najma is also the Founder of the She Can Movement, a movement that inspires girls and women all around the world to be who they are called to be!

In Najma’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, going on adventures, blogging, spending time in nature, and eating Chick-fil-A!

As a newly BSW graduate from Oakwood University, Lauren has worked in the Social Work space since 13 years old. She has served over the years as a mentor and tutor at Lauren’s House 4 Positive Change and in the community of East Palo Alto. Her most vivid memory was when in the 8^th grade, she helped a 6^th grader stop his plan of suicide at school. As a young person, she would often be found volunteering at the homeless shelter in the community, feeding the homeless on the streets, and passing out Christmas gifts to incarcerated parents’ children. This summer, Lauren will be attending Ohio State University to earn her Master’s in Social Work. In her free time, she likes to practice self-care.

Myron is a funny, loving husband and supportive father and mentor. His God-given mission is to empower marginalized men to walk in their purpose by overcoming their struggles and recreating the best version of themselves through Christ. On any given Saturday, it’s possible to find Myron preaching the Gospel to Grace Community in Cleveland, Ohio, and anywhere in the world.

Myron is an innovative community activist committed to stopping the prison to pipeline crisis in the Euclid, Ohio, area. As a leader, he has established a leadership consulting firm to help other leaders maximize their potential. When he is not preaching around the travel, you might find Myron in the kitchen whipping up a pound cake, cultivating the family garden, or playing sports.