What is the Compton Wellness Collective (CWC)?
A collective of healers who work together to "heal the hood" by using various healing modalities to disrupt inter-generational toxic behavioral cycles and improve maladaptive coping habits.
How will the be done?
- On a micro level : via one-on-one services such as socio-emotional coaching and providing access to culturally relevant resources.
- On a macro level: community wellness workshops, psychoeducational groups, and organizational wellness training.
What is the Goal?
To equip the community with information, skills, and resources to improve the overall emotional and mental health well-being of community residents. Through the use of individual and group services, the Compton Wellness Collective (CWC) has a plan to equip 1,000 Compton residents with the skills necessary to begin the journey to successfully mastering socio-emotional wellness.
Veronica Clanton-Higgins, ACSW, CLC - Founder/Wellness Practitioner
Areas of Expertise: Trauma Informed Practices, Mood Disorders, Mental Health Consulting, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Personal Development, Life & Sexuality Coaching, Mindfulness
Veronica Clanton-Higgins, CEO of VCH Prosperity Consulting, created the Compton Wellness Collective (CWC) in order to increase the amount of people that she was able to provide socio-emotional wellness services to. She recognized that living in a pandemic was having a profound impact on community residents. It is important to Veronica that culturally appropriate services are provided by individuals from the community.
Veronica is a Registered Associate Clinical Social Work, providing clinical services as a therapist for Chapman University. She received her Bachelors in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology, from California State University, Dominguez Hills and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Currently, she is completing her PhD in Clinical Sexology. Trained in various modalities, Veronica uses an eclectic approach to clinical care which includes mindfulness-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma focused interventions. She specializes in intersectionality related issues, anxiety, depression, sexual issues, PTSD, and stress related disorders. As a certified life and sexuality coach, Veronica uses her skills to help clients with improving self-care, increasing self-esteem, and setting appropriate boundaries.
As a community activist and advocate, Veronica serves as Associate Director of the Compton Advocates Coalition, Board Member for the Compton Girls Club, a member of the CA 64th Assembly District Women's Commission, and a community collaborator with the Yetunde Resource Center. She previously served on several School Site councils, Parent Teacher Associations, and African American Parent committees throughout Compton Unified School District. Veronica created TEDxComptonBlvd and the Intentional Healing Podcast to amplify the voices of Compton folx in order to change the narrative of how people view Compton residents. She recently received the Compton Champion award from the City of Compton and the Women's Leadership award from the California State Assembly, 64th District. Veronica is dedicated to improving the mental health and socio-emotional wellness of her community, and utilizes all of her skills to do so.
Personal Mantra: "Your words have power, use them to heal not to harm."
Why did I start the collective? " To address socio-emotional wellness needs on a larger scale with individuals who are experts in their field."
Ayisha Winn MSW, LCSW - Wellness Practitioner
Areas of Expertise: Developing and Utilization of Coping Skills/Techniques, Mindfulness Techniques, Anxiety-Related Disorders, Depression/Trauma, Self-Harm, Relational Issues, and Body image and Self-Esteem Issues
I am Ayisha Winn from Compton, California, I'm a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience as a Clinical Therapist. I received a master’s degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach with a Mental Health concentration in 2013. My experience includes working in the community mental health setting in crisis and intensive programs for children, teens, and families, medical clinic settings with the adult population who struggle with mental health, medical-related adjustment conditions, and private practice settings. I am experienced working with clients ages 5 through 70. I am dedicated and committed to providing exceptional clinical care to my clients through the use of creative intervention strategies, empathy, providing a safe space, and developing lasting and impactful therapeutic alliances with my clients. I utilize healthy and effective problem-solving strategies, critical thinking skills, and solution-focused therapy techniques. My energy, positive attitude, use of a non-judgmental approach, active listening skills, motivation, passion, and insightful support allow my clients the ability to feel both comfortable and supported in treatment under my care.
Why did I join the collective? My passion for my community, culture and women’s empowerment drove me to join this organization. Growing up in a community where mental health is not always focused on, or resources are not always readily available, inspired me to be a part of the solution. I am excited to be on the ground level of such a monumental initiative.
Ayana Shepard, ACSW - Wellness Practitioner
Area of Expertise: Youth Services, Self-Care and Group Psycho-education, Women Empowerment
Ayana Shepherd is an Associate Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the human services field for over 20 years with varying populations. Individuals that she has supported over the years include, at-risk youth, individuals in recovery, individuals with special needs, and individuals who have experienced trauma related to sexual assault.
Ayana obtained her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in English with a Minor in Child and Family Development. As she began working with children in educational settings as an undergraduate, she recognized that she could be an educator and support youth in other ways outside of a classroom environment. It was her employment at a residential facility where her budding interest in social work began. After working and volunteering within multiple facets and with varying populations (at-risk youth, substance abuse and persons with developmental disabilities) within the social work realm, she went back to school to obtain her Masters in Social Work. Since obtaining her MSW, she has provided group therapy to youth in a residential setting, coordinates support services for individuals with developmental disabilities and provides training to professionals who collaborate with individuals with developmental disabilities where they work and live.
With over 20 years of experience in social services and a life committed to helping others, she recognizes the importance of taking care of yourself and being intentional in this daily task. To maintain longevity and health in a profession that is equally as rewarding as it is demanding, she understands that self-care is a necessity and hence began “Self-Care Advocacy” as a passion project to encourage people to routinely engage in self-care. Self-Care Advocacy has since blossomed into an entrepreneur endeavor that provides education, resources and community connection for women evolving in their journey to better taking care of themselves. In 2020 she published Free Your Mind: A Self-Care and Mindfulness Activity Book to promote convenient practical ways that individuals can engage in self-care.
Ayana Shepherd is the Co-Founder of B2B Support Services (Blessed to Be a Blessing) which is a nonprofit organization that provides support to individuals in the inner city of Los Angeles County such as Compton, Watts and South Central Los Angeles. In all facets of her work, she stresses the importance of self-care in order to promote balance, self-love, confidence, and overall well-being.
Personal Mantra: “All things work together for good” - Romans 8:28.
Why did I join the collective? " I joined the collective because the founder’s energy and passion to serve exuded with minimal effort. Veronica’s intentions to help heal the City of Compton were apparent. Additionally, I joined The collective because I understand the value in collaboration and the importance of relatable and shared experience when working with people that look like me and are from where I am from. Like Veronica, I desire to provide the City of Compton with access to resources that will improve the well being of both individuals and the city."
Meghan Shamburger, LMFT - Wellness Practitioner
Personal Mantra:" You have to make a choice in life. Would you rather tiptoe through it or walk heavy in all that you were meant to be?"
Why did you join the collective? "I joined the collective because I believe in it's vision as a Compton girl who loves mental health! I want to bring healing to my city in any way possible and the CWC provides not only a method to do this but empowering leadership and camaraderie from women I aspire to be like that !"
Brittany Pollard - Sound/Energy Practitioner
Brittany Pollard has always been fascinated by the connection between our imagination and physiology. Through a fusion of wellness, fitness, and spirituality, she teaches people how to step out of cycles of burnout and into rituals of self-care. Her meditations, sound healing, and Dare to Dream candles engage the senses and provide opportunities to rest, dream, and commune with the divine intelligence that exists within and around us.
Carmen Tanner, BS - Creative Engineer
Area of Expertise: All things creative, Project Management, Business Management
Carmen Tanner is a self-taught artist with a creative nature, who aspires to be the light in and around her community. Creativity is her fuel, and she uses it in all aspects of her life. One of her goals is to show people that despite age or ability there is an artist within all of us. Life is full of ups and downs, and she uses creativity and art as the navigation to sometimes, just get through. She believes that creativity should not only be encouraged but applauded in our youth because without creativity there can be no innovation.
As Owner of and self-proclaimed “Creative Engineer” at DragunfliDesignz, she curates art for all and provides avenues for creative expression despite any and all demographics. At DragunfliDesignz, we offer paint instruction in a fun and relatable setting both online and in-person. We also create pre-drawn canvases and kits for mindfulness and anti-anxiety activities. Essentially, we use art as a way to not only celebrate life but to live it completely.
She is the Co-Owner of DejahDesignz, an amazing graphic design firm that she runs with her husband, Joseph Tanner III. She also serves as Program Director/Treasurer on the Board of a Nonprofit organization called The GIRLS Group that serves to empower, inspire, and motivate African American tween and teen girls and women who are or have been in dysfunctional and/or disadvantaged lifestyles.
Carmen has a BS in business management and a certificate in Small Business & Entrepreneurship. She also has a passion for baking, sewing, and spending quality time with her family.
Personal Quote/Mantra: "Why Not?"
Why did I join the collective? "It is an honor and a privilege to work towards the goals that Veronica has set out for the Compton Wellness Collective. And as a native of the city, I joined so that I can do my part to “heal the hood.”
Yoselin Sanchez - Yoga/Meditation Practitioner.
Yoselin Sanchez is a first generation multi-faceted millennial from the world-famous city of Compton. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology with a concentration on Deviance and Social Control from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She was recognized as a philanthropist for her extensive community work from her alma mater organization, Alpha Phi Omega at CSULB. As a philanthropist, she has served her community through food banks, clean-ups, serving the unsheltered, tutoring the youth, and campaigning for local/state representatives. One of her achievements is holding the title as Miss Compton People's Choice Queen 2018-2019. Miss Sanchez shared her transformational journey as “The Rose That Grew From Concrete” on YouTube for the first ever TEDxComptonBlvd event in 2020. In 2021, Forbes coined her the Hometown Hero for her service in the community as she was immortalized with a mural inside the Compton Footlocker Community Store by local artist Melissa Depaz. Yoselin's professional background includes life coaching, public speaking, mental health advocacy, servant leadership, health and wellness, education, and political consulting. Her life’s mission is to lead with love and pay it forward by sharing her vision and using the power in her truth to inspire and change the world.