Your Wellness Inc
501 c (3) Nonprofit
Faith-based Suicide Prevention/Mental Health Resource Organization
Connecting resources in tough times for community wellness and support.
Meet the Team
Deborah Harris
President | CEO | Founder
Deborah Harris was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, a town right outside of New Orleans were she grew up. Bogalusa is so small, that if you blink, it is gone. Deborah moved to Jackson Mississippi where the first half of her adulthood was spent. She has been a Virginia resident ever since 2002. Mrs. Harris is a retired Cosmetology Instructor and has enjoyed styling hair for over thirty years. She received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice from Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2000 and an Associates in Business Administration from, Strayer University, Newport News, Virginia in 2012 and she is currently a Senior Undergraduate Psychology Major enrolled at Regent University. Her expected graduation date is December 2022. She is married to her best friend, Victor Harris and is the mother of three amazing sons and proud grandmother of nine. Deborah Harris values her family.
Mrs. Harris is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, and numerous attempts of suicide which led to a nervous breakdown in 2014. She believes God spared her life for the sole purpose of ministering to others and helping to enhance the lives of those in need. She enjoys helping these individuals find their pathways to recovery through outreach ministry, emotion regulation, mindfulness, relapse prevention, art therapy, self-care sessions, and therapeutic referrals. Through the adaptation of resiliency, determination, hope, faith, family support, journaling and creating her wellness plan, she has discovered her own personal pathway to recovery which has transformed her life into the strong, loving, caring and professional woman she is today.
Today, she is the author of the book "Listen" a self-help book that teaches individuals how to manage their mental illness and find their pathways to recovery. She is a mental health advocate, registered certified peer recovery specialist, caregiver, cognitive behavior therapy practitioner, and community service volunteer who enjoys ministering and witnessing to those in need everywhere, anywhere, whenever possible. Mrs. Harris is a member of, International Society of Female Professionals (ISFP). Her mission in life is to help educate people on the causes of mental illness and substance abuse disorders (which are the main causes of suicide in our region) through outreach ministry, outpatient services, support groups, community resources, awareness events, suicide prevention boot camp and writing her self help books. Her purpose is to help these individuals find their pathways to recovery, live a victorious life in Christ Jesus, and develop a life long wellness plan. Mrs. Harris loves God and she gives all honor and praise to Him for taking her from a suicidal state of mind to a peaceful minded and productive citizen. She strongly believes that "through Christ, all things are possible" because He is the author and finisher of her faith.
Victor Harris
Vice President
With us since our founding, Victor Harris is one of our veteran team members. He brings his years of experience and skills to the forefront in helping our organization grow and succeed. He is currently employed by Norfolk Naval Shipyard and has nineteen years tenure with exceptional work ethics. He is a retired football and little league softball coach, many of the youths he coached have gone on to be professional athletes. He loves the Lord and is active and faithful in his church. He is a loving husband and father.
Eric K Bracey
Volunteer Supervisor
Eric Bracey brings enthusiasm, creativity, and people skills to our team. He is certified in Social Media Marketing and Retail Sales and Distribution. He enjoys writing music and he is a former service member of the U.S. Navy. He sings in the choir in his local church, loves God, and is truly a joy to be around.
Trave'Elle Knotts
Virtual Assistant and Graphics Designer
Ms. Knotts is a native of Jackson, Mississippi, where she received her Bachelor's of Science in Computer Engineering at Jackson State University. She is currently attaining a Masters in Cybersecurity at Mississippi College. She shares her passion for information technology by volunteering at local career centers and oversees media production at her church home. Her contribution to our team is countless and priceless.
Lukas Fuller
Administrative Assistant
Originally from Northern Virginia, Lukas Fuller is the newest addition to the Your Wellness Inc team. He is a Certified Dental Assistant by trade which has sparked his passion for promoting community wellness. As someone who can attest to the importance of mental health services, Lukas is excited to spread YWI's powerful message of peer and professional support to aid those in need during difficult times.
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Emily V Harris
Board Member
Emily is a team player and a team leader. She brings to the table over 30 years of administrative skills. Retired Shipyard Union President, Mother, Grandmother and Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, Caregiver and Christian Leader. She has been volunteering with YWI since our founding and YWI is blessed to have her on our team.
Willie Brown
Board Member | CEO, Big Mind Entertainment LLC & Network
Mr. Brown is all about helping to spread our message of hope and compassion throughout his many media outlets. Willie is also Major, USAF Retired. He has an extraordinary story of survival from a grenade explosion that caused him to spend nine years in a wheelchair. After waking up from a coma, Willie has been helping to enhance the lives of others.
Senior Account Executive/Artist Promotions WTJZ Praise Radio
Genera Sales Manager at The Groove 101.9
Elder at The New Testament Church
Board member of The Hope Foundation
Sponsorship and Marketing Coordinator of the Hampton Roads Encore Awards Show. He is an awesome asset to the YWI team of experts.
Dycelia Weiss
Board Member | Licensed Financial Educator, Life, Health, and Annuities
This awesome and brilliant financial educator brings with her beautiful spirit over 20 years of customer service experience and client relation. Certified Financial Educator through the Heartland Institute of Financial Education. She has hands-on experience with teaching adult learners, knowledge of the latest services in the financial industry, excellent people and interpersonal communication skills, along with a passion to learn and increase her skill. We are honored to have Dycelia on our team of experts.
Kimberly Y. Frederick Griffin
Board Member | Founder, Support Joey's Heart Nonprofit
Kimberly is a Community Health Epidemiologist for the Virginia Department of Public Health, Founder of Support Joeys Heart Nonprofit organization that focuses on the importance of sharing an act of kindness, Public Speaker, Advocate for mental health, opioid and suicide Prevention, Owner/Publisher of Bully Magazine, a publication that delivers testimonial stories of hope. Kimberly truly believes in our mission and is an asset to our Board of Directors and our organization.
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Cheryl Hannah
Board Member
A native of Greenville MS, Virginia resident since 2017. Retired licensed social worker with over 30 years of work experience. Work for the Department of Human Services, Delta Community Mental Health, MS Department of Education, MS Holistic Hospice Care and Humana Health Services. Mrs. Hannah brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in helping individuals, groups, families, and couples, to help develop strategies to change their behaviors or to cope with difficult situations ; often referring clients to other resources or services, such as, food banks, support groups, or other mental health workers. Mrs. Hannah is in the process of developing her Group Home, “Angels of Senior Living” which will be a warm and inviting home-like setting, where the residents will feel safe and secure in their living environment and have a sense of purpose and dignity. Cheryl believes that God gives us all gifts in which to assist and help others and to glorify Him.
Paul Arrington
Board Member
Born in Jamaica, New York, Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer (E-7) Paul earned his undergraduate degree at Norfolk State University, a Masters of Education from Cambridge College in Cambridge Massachusetts, (Chesapeake Campus), and a Master’s in Theology from NC School of Theology. Paul worked as a teacher in Virginia Beach for twenty years and served as Pastor at Bible way Church of Deliverance in Naples, Italy and Co-Founder of International Christian Ministry in Yokosuka, Japan. He served as Senior Pastor at St. Stephen Holiness Church for 25 years. Paul will be an asset to our Ministry Team.
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Norris Brown
Board Member
Norris Brown Jr. is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, but trained on the world stage in the United States Air Force for 8.5 years. After his time in service, he attended Old Dominion University earning a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Cell Biology. He earned a master's degree in Public Health from Liberty University, and is currently finishing his Doctoral Degree in Public Administration from Liberty University. He holds several certifications.
He has served in many roles, from Senior Emergency Controller to Assistant Director of Operations in the United States Air Force. As a Department of Defense (DOD) civilian, he worked for the Portsmouth Naval Ship as a Radiological Health Technician and team lead for disaster readiness training. In his Public Health role, He have worked in a few community-based organizations conducting research, outreach, and testing for HIV and STIs within the underrepresented populations such as the Black / African American, Brown, and LGBTQIA plus communities. He currently works at the Urban League of Hampton Roads as an Early Intervention Specialist. In this role, he continues Research, HIV testing, outreach, and health education. Serving, empowering, and uplifting his community has been one of his greatest honors. He the oldest of 12 children, and have many nieces and nephews, 31 to be exact. He is a member of the oldest and coldest fraternity of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. He was awarded an Army Achievement Medal for his service in Iraq. Lastly, he played in a band in high school, college, and Air Force. He loves singing, reading, cooking, working out, and volunteering.