We’re glad you’re here,

and interested in The Collective.

Health disparities remain persistent across rural and minority communities across the United States and in our home community of Western North Carolina. Complex systems, unclear communication, and limited access create barriers that affect health outcomes across generations.

The Collective works to bridge that gap — translating public health knowledge into everyday language, strengthening community trust, and ensuring that people do not get lost once they are out of public view.

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CONTACT ME

About The Collective:

Community Health & Wellness Collective Services (CHWCS) — also known as The Collective — was created to close the gap between health information and real-life understanding. Serving 18 counties across Western North Carolina, we provide accessible, culturally responsive health education and community-based wellness initiatives designed for those who have too often been left out of the conversation.

We exist for individuals and families navigating complex systems without clear guidance. We exist for seniors whose voices have been overlooked. We exist for communities seeking health information they can trust — delivered in ways that make sense.

Mission:

Community Health & Wellness Collective Services exists to provide accessible, culturally responsive health education and wellness initiatives to underserved communities across Western North Carolina.

We believe that health education is not just information — it is empowerment. When people understand their bodies, their options, and their resources, they can make informed decisions that change the trajectory of their lives.

Vision:

We envision communities where:

  • Individuals who have lost their voice in healthcare systems — particularly seniors — are supported and heard

  • Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and high cholesterol are managed through understandable, practical education

  • Preventive health education is available across the lifespan — from youth to older adulthood

  • Health equity is advanced through community-embedded education and trusted relationships

  • Wellness is not a privilege, but a right

Our work centers on underserved populations, with a primary focus on African American communities, while remaining inclusive of all minorities and vulnerable groups — including housed, unhoused, housing-insecure, uninsured, and underinsured individuals.

“Nothing brings me more joy than seeing people show up for their health. Watching someone get excited about their progress—that’s everything.”

~ Kelly White, Founder and Executive Director of Community Health and Wellness Collective Services

Our Story

The Collective was born from lived experience.

Founder and Executive Director Kelly grew up in Asheville and became a mother as a teenager. Navigating Medicaid, WIC, SNAP benefits, school, and motherhood without guidance revealed firsthand how difficult systems can be when information is unclear and support is limited. Graduating from high school and building a future despite those barriers became one of her proudest accomplishments — and the foundation for her life’s work.

Her professional journey began in direct patient care — as a phlebotomist, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Certified Medical Assistant — and expanded through advanced education, earning a bachelor’s degree in health science, a master’s degree in public health, and a second master’s degree in health education. Along the way, she witnessed a recurring challenge: patients often left appointments without fully understanding what they had been told, and many communities carried deep mistrust shaped by lived experience.

The Collective emerged from a simple realization: the work was already happening. It needed a name, a structure, and a broader platform.

Today, that work includes:

  • Yearlong minority-focused diabetes prevention programming in partnership with the YMCA

  • Lifestyle and wellness education series within faith communities

  • Free community aerobics classes at the historic YMI Cultural Center

  • Community-based outreach and collaboration across Western North Carolina

  • Engagement in research initiatives supporting community violence prevention

At its core, The Collective is built on representation, trust, and presence. There is power in receiving health education from someone who understands your lived experience — and who meets you where you are.

Team Awards and Certifications:

Our Core Values:

We ensure that individuals and families across Western North Carolina feel respected, informed, and empowered in their health journey.

  • We listen first. We meet people where they are. We recognize that communities are the experts of their own experiences.

  • We prioritize safety, trust, and dignity in every interaction.

  • We work to eliminate health disparities and prioritize the needs of those most impacted by systemic inequities.

  • Everyone deserves clear, understandable health information and fair access to resources.

  • Sustainable change happens through collaboration. We build networks within our community to strengthen collective impact.

What We Do:

We serve individuals across all age groups — from youth to seniors — with a focus on long-term wellness and prevention.

  • We provide evidence-informed workshops and yearlong programs focused on diabetes prevention, hypertension management, heart health, and sustainable lifestyle change. Our sessions translate complex medical information into practical, culturally relevant guidance people can use immediately.

  • Through free aerobics classes, community events, and wellness partnerships, we create accessible opportunities for movement, connection, and preventive care — meeting people where they are.

  • We collaborate with churches and trusted community spaces to deliver lifestyle and wellness education that aligns with community values and lived experiences.

  • Our programs support individuals across all age groups — from youth to seniors — with a focus on long-term wellness, prevention, and maintaining independence as we age.

  • We partner with local organizations, institutions, and community leaders to expand health education access and strengthen networks that advance equity across 18 counties in Western North Carolina.

Meet The Collective Team

  • Kelly White

    FOUNDER + EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Certified Healthcare Navigator

    With a vision for building something meaningful, Kelly brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience.
    They set the tone for everything we do.

  • Jewell Wilson

    BOARD CHAIR
    Compliance and Litigation Analyst

    Jewell brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management, and legal analysis. Her background strengthens organizational governance, policy development, and accountability — ensuring The Collective operates with integrity and strong structural oversight.

  • Nesiya Fann

    BOARD TREASURER
    Early Childhood Education Professional

    Nesiya contributes a strong foundation in child development and early learning systems. Her experience offers valuable insight into family-centered programming, community engagement, and educational equity across the lifespan.

  • William Hamilton

    BOARD CO-TREASURER
    Bank Branch Manager

    William provides financial leadership, budgeting expertise, and strategic fiscal planning. His background in banking strengthens financial sustainability, internal controls, and long-term resource development.

  • Gillian Agyemang

    BOARD SECRETARY
    Public Health Epidemiologist

    Gillian brings data-driven public health expertise, with experience analyzing health trends and disparities. Her knowledge supports evidence-informed programming, evaluation strategies, and health equity initiatives.

  • Erica Jones

    BOARD CO-SECRETARY
    Certified Surgical Technologist

    Erica contributes hands-on clinical experience and a strong understanding of patient-centered care. Her frontline healthcare perspective ensures programming remains practical, relevant, and grounded in real-world clinical realities.

  • Allison Jones

    BOARD MEMBER
    Certified Medical Assistant

    Allison offers direct patient care experience and insight into healthcare navigation challenges. Her perspective supports accessible health education and community-based engagement strategies.

  • Dr. James Hill

    BOARD MEMBER
    Internal Medicine Physician

    Dr. Hill provides clinical expertise in adult medicine and chronic disease management. His experience strengthens program credibility, health education accuracy, and medical insight into community-based prevention strategies.

  • Candice Wiley

    BOARD MEMBER
    Director of Nursing

    Candice contributes executive-level nursing leadership and healthcare systems experience. Her background supports quality improvement, patient advocacy, and trauma-informed approaches to care delivery.

  • Jennipher Francis

    BOARD MEMBER
    Entrepreneur

    In 2023, Jennipher Francis launched J Francis Insurance Services, LLC where she specializes in Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans. She also offers final expense insurance, home health insurance and a range of other specialty products.

Join the Movement

Whether you are seeking support, looking to partner, interested in attending a workshop, or ready to invest in community health equity, we invite you to connect with The Collective.

Together, we can build healthier, more informed, and more empowered communities — one conversation, one class, and one partnership at a time.

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