A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Venita has a master’s degree in Liberal Studies from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health from Tennessee State University. Her career spans twenty-five years in Executive and Senior Leadership roles in Vocational Rehabilitation, Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Workforce Development, and Homelessness.
During her career, Venita has honed the following skills, governance, community organizing, strategic planning, public speaking, fundraising, and grant writing. In her years of grant writing, Venita has secured more than twenty-five million in federal, state, local, and foundation funding.
Venita has experienced a lot of firsts in her lifetime. She was the first African American Director for the battered women’s program of the YWCA in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the YWCA of Richmond, Virginia. She was the first African American CEO of the Domestic Abuse Shelter of the Florida Keys, the first African American President of the former Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the first African American female President of Blue Ridge Institute for Southeastern Executive Leaders.
Venita is the proud mother of sons Garvin and Joshua Valdez. She has co-authored two books, “Becoming Your Own Best Friend” and “Life is An Attitude, the Power of Positive Living.”
Venita is delighted to join Dr. Rowley and the Cayenne Wellness Center compassionate team in her role as Assistant Grant Writer to support the mission and purpose to increase the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease in California by ensuring expert, unbiased, and comprehensive care.
